Early Buzz: 'White House Down' Delivers Silly Summer Fun
Much as we appreciate big-budget blockbusters that aim to be deep or emotional or to impart profound life lessons, there comes a point in every summer when all we want to do is enjoy some expensive, well crafted mayhem.
Arriving just in time for that moment this year is Roland Emmerich's White House Down. The first wave of reactions has just hit the web, and by most accounts (including Peter's and Germain's) it's the perfect summer blockbuster: big, silly, and dumb, in the best possible way. Hit the jump to get the buzz.
White House Down is the dumb fun popcorn film of the summer. My favorite Roland Emmerich movie since ID4. @WHD
— /Film (@slashfilm) June 14, 2013
White House Down is a fun summer action film that earns its cheesiness. A surprising human center helps enhance the super dumb set pieces.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 14, 2013
Movies.com's Erik Davis echoed the comparison to Independence Day.
WHITE HOUSE DOWN is Emmerich's first movie since ID4 to find that perfect balance between drama, action and humor. It's silly, but DAMN FUN
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 14, 2013
MTV's Josh Horowitz, meanwhile, was reminded of other classic actioners.
My take on WHITE HOUSE DOWN: a fun throwback. If Die Hard & Air Force One had a fat overfed baby...(that's a compliment) @channingtatum
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) June 14, 2013
Collider's Frosty was especially impressed by the dynamite combination of Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx.
WHITE HOUSE DOWN works due to the pairing of @channingtatum & @iamjamiefoxx. Both are having fun and Tatum shows he's an action star.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) June 14, 2013
like all @rolandemmerich movies, WHITE HOUSE DOWN is meant to be enjoyed with some popcorn, soda & friends wanting a fun time at movies
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) June 14, 2013
Huffington Post's Mike Ryan was more restrained in his reaction.
Silly popcorn flicks don't always attract much critical acclaim, but in truth it takes real skill to make a film go down that smoothly. Filmmakers who aren't up to the challenge wind up delivering clunky, soulless movies that are boring to boot. But Emmerich proved he could pull it off with 1996's Independence Day, and now, two decades later, it seems that he's done it again.
The friendly chemistry between Tatum and Foxx has been a real highlight of the trailers, so it's nice to hear there's much more where that came from in the actual movie. White House Down may not prove a classic for the ages, but I'm betting it'll be a very pleasant way to spend two hours. The film lands in theaters June 28.
In Columbia Pictures' White House Down, Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.