Review: Heads of State Delivers Big Action and Bigger Laughs with Elba, Chopra, and Cena

The movie opens with a literal tomato fight at the La Tomatina Festival in the town square of Buñol, Spain. It throws you straight into the fun, frivolity, and a wildly exaggerated food fight. Priyanka Chopra plays Noel Bisset, a local reporter covering the event. But she is much more than she seems. Her cameraman, Agent Jacks, jokes about her tagline, and tomato puns fly freely until it is revealed that Noel is actually an MI6 agent working alongside the CIA on a joint mission.

Their target is Viktor Gradov, a dangerous Russian arms dealer. As MI6 and CIA agents coordinate to track him, the festival continues in the background. Tension rises as multiple sightings of Gradov confuse the agents. Their request for a patch from Echelon Headquarters is granted, but chaos quickly follows. Ambushed and outnumbered by Gradov’s assassins, Noel realizes too late that they have been set up. Shots are fired, agents fall, and festival goers flee in panic.

Amid the chaos, a hacker is escorted to an unmarked MI6 van to connect with Echelon Headquarters and upload something dangerous. Noel fights off a few assassins and reaches the van, only to be attacked by Sasha the Killer. He shoots her and blows up the van, leaving Noel barely alive. As she begins to lose consciousness, she sees the real Viktor Gradov watching her from a rooftop. He escapes. All of this happens within the first five minutes of the film.

The scene shifts to London, where more central characters are introduced. UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke, played by Idris Elba, and US President Will Derringer, played by John Cena, are two competitive and very different leaders. Their differences provide a comical dynamic, and both actors bring humor to their roles. A standout moment is Clarke starting his day with a run while receiving a security briefing. He is shocked and saddened when he hears about the Spanish incident and Noel’s disappearance.

At Buckingham Palace, President Derringer arrives with his wife and daughter and is greeted by his Chief of Staff, Simone Bradshaw. He is reluctant to meet with Clarke, suspecting that the Prime Minister does not respect him. Both leaders are separately briefed about the failed Spain operation before they appear together at a joint press conference.

The press conference is filled with subtle tension, especially when reporters bring up Derringer’s past movie Water Cobra. He loses his temper and blames Clarke, who calmly reminds him that he can call on anyone he wants in his city. Clarke clears the room, leaving only their Chiefs of Staff. Clarke’s Chief of Staff suggests both leaders fly together on Air Force One to Trieste, Italy. Clarke initially resists but agrees when Derringer asks him directly.

Meanwhile, in Côte d’Azur, France, Viktor Gradov confronts his assassins about the failed mission in Spain, displaying his brutal nature in an intense scene.

Onboard Air Force One, Clarke and Derringer begin to bond. Derringer video chats with his family and introduces them to Clarke in a surprisingly warm moment. They give each other advice about leadership and begin to open up. But danger strikes when the chef takes over the communications room and kills the crew. Olga the Killer, flying in another aircraft, begins her attack. The action scenes and special effects are impressive.

The chef sets fire to all the parachutes, keeping one for himself. Thankfully, the head Secret Service agent finds two unburned parachutes and gives them to the President and Prime Minister. He tells them they will land in Belarus and must travel to a NATO safehouse in Warsaw. For security reasons, their survival is kept secret.

Back in the US, the Vice President is sworn in and gains control of the nuclear codes. The system reboot at Echelon Headquarters allows Gradov to access global communications and leak NATO documents. This sparks conflict among allied nations.

Fortunately, the safehouse in Warsaw is run by a skilled agent named Marty Comer, played by Jack Quaid, who helps them escape. Noel reappears just in time to save them. Her mission now is to get the President and Prime Minister to NATO, the most secure location on the continent.

The rest of the movie is filled with espionage, clever flashbacks, stylish slow motion action, high speed chases, betrayal, powerful speeches, beautiful locations, and intense stunts. The villain is convincingly evil and memorable. Running jokes about being gym strong versus actually strong, references to fish and chips, and well placed puns add humor throughout.

The performances are excellent. Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, and John Cena make a surprisingly effective team. Jack Quaid also shines as Marty Comer. Just when you think the film is wrapping up, it surprises you again.

Final Thoughts:

This is an entertaining, action packed buddy movie with plenty of humor and heart. Be warned though, it contains a lot of violence and may not be suitable for younger viewers.