Movies

‘Heads of State’ review: John Cena and Idris Elba team up for more action, less politics

BBG News

The upcoming film on Prime Video, titled “Heads of State,” is not a Cheech & Chong reunion movie, but rather a humorous action-packed thriller featuring John Cena and Idris Elba. Previously, they were part of the DC superhero film “The Suicide Squad.” In this new production, their adversarial roles from there have been transformed into a pair of leaders of nations, navigating through undercover schemes, gunfire, explosions, and similar perils.

To be honest, it’s not entirely clear to me that John Cena, famed for his bulging biceps, has sustained such a long-lasting career in professional wrestling, which is essentially acting, while also dabbling in traditional show business ventures; he doesn’t shy away from poking fun at himself and isn’t afraid to look foolish, which paradoxically makes him seem intelligent. He even agreed to present the award for costume design at the 2024 Oscars nearly nude, and his comedic skit with Jimmy Kimmel was a hit.

Idris Elba, whose career spans many prestigious genres, exudes an effortless grace and authority that makes one think he’s tackled every Shakespeare, Shaw, and Ibsen play, but it turns out “The Wire” and “Luther” were more his forte. He was often speculated as the next James Bond, though that role seems to have eluded him; however, this role-like quality is evident in his current performance.

In this story, Elba portrays Prime Minister Sam Clarke of Britain, who’s in the midst of a challenging sixth year in office and is set to encounter Cena’s freshly elected American president, Will Derringer, before their joint trip to Trieste, Italy for a NATO conference. The reasons for Clarke’s struggles are not detailed nor crucial to the narrative. Derringer harbors resentment towards Clarke due to perceived support from Clarke for his opponent during a fish and chips outing – an ongoing issue. Derringer, who resembles an action star in the vein of Schwarzenegger/Stallone (known for “Water Cobra” franchise), may appear absurd as a president elected by a state that also chose Schwarzenegger as its governor twice. Yet, despite his greenness and misunderstanding between press conferences and press junkets, Derringer is confident, boasting about his private jet, acquaintance with Paul McCartney, and high status. Despite the lack of substantial political understanding, he comes across as likable when we first see him carrying his daughter on his shoulders.

The film, helmed by Ilya Naishuller (“Nobody”), and scripted by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query, opens with the chaotic spectacle of the Tomatino Festival in Buñol, Spain, where people engage in a massive tomato fight. This prelude hints at the impending violence that will unfold in the town square as a group of unspecified villains attack the British and American operatives who are tracking them. They’ve been tricked, declares M16 agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), who later is reported as “missing” but actually survives and reappears throughout the storyline; in fact, she plays a significant role in the narrative unfolding.

Whilst they were on Air Force One, heading to Trieste, the prime minister and the president engaged in conversation about films. Clarke mentioned his preference for genuine cinema, confessing he’s never watched any of Derringer’s movies. In response, Derringer defended himself by stating that he is classically trained and once even acted in a play with Edward Norton. However, he admitted that the universe consistently suggests to him that he looks cool holding a gun, whether real or toy.

In this film, after encountering conflicts both within the aircraft and externally, the protagonists parachute into Belarus. For the rest of the movie, they navigate through various locations, attempting to avoid the private military force belonging to Russian arms dealer Victor Gradov (Paddy Considine), who is portrayed as a cruel and sadistic individual. Accompanying him is a typical tall blonde female assassin (Katrina Durden). Additionally, they will cross paths with Stephen Root as a computer expert and Jack Quaid as a humorous American agent. Meanwhile, Vice President Elizabeth Kirk (Carla Gugino) assumes control in other parts of the storyline. (I jotted down “Bad?” after watching this political thriller; I’ve seen my fair share.)

In Trieste, a charming Italian city by the sea or hills, expect intense street battles, missile exchanges, shootouts with machine guns, multiple helicopters, and high-speed car chases. As our protagonists join forces, their initial dislike will turn into admiration, leading to personal connections, making them action heroes in the real world, thanks to Agent Bisset’s assistance. Despite being middle-aged, age is not a barrier in this thrilling tale, although there’s a humorous jab about the American actor struggling with fitness compared to the U.K. politician.

The plotline suggests a humorous take, potentially a playful spoof or light satire. It leans heavily towards comedy, though it may lack the nuanced wit and sharp criticism usually associated with satire. Some scenes, like Derringer trapped in a tree with a tangled parachute, or Clarke accidentally setting off a smoke bomb on his own face, are undeniably funny. While it touches on politics to some extent, it’s not a serious critique or analysis of the political landscape, especially not in 2025 America. Furthermore, like most action movies, it presents an imaginative world where events occur that would be impossible in reality due to human behavior and physical laws.

In this story, characters are developed enough to feel relatable, yet not too much to slow down the pace. The plot is full of unexpected turns as it combines classic villainous motives into one tale. It’s entertaining without being gripping, which could make it more appealing in the end since it offers a light, action-packed escape from reality. Despite its depiction of numerous anonymous deaths that have been considered family entertainment for some time now (due to video games), it’s an easy watch. In its whimsical, fantastical nature, it serves as a refreshing break from the chaos and unbelievability of the world you’ll return to once the movie ends.

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2025-07-01 21:31

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