Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Endless, numbing violence in overly long action threequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Angel Has Fallen
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say that while the film features a compelling story and engaging characters, it is significantly more violent than its predecessors and includes excessive swearing, making it more suitable for older teens rather than children. Although some viewers found it a bit dry and overlong, many consider it the best in the series, appreciating the blend of action, drama, and unexpected plot twists that keep it entertaining.
- best in series
- excessive violence
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- engaging story
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In ANGEL HAS FALLEN, the third film in the series that began with Olympus Has Fallen and continued with London Has Fallen, Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is considering moving to a desk job within the force when a brutal attack leaves President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) grievously injured -- and Banning implicated as the leader of the strike. Now it's up to Banning to uncover exactly who's trying to kill the president and why, to clear his own name, and to stay alive long enough to get back to his wife (Piper Perabo) and daughter.
Is It Any Good?
Punishingly grim and overly long, this third entry in the Fallen series mostly squanders any credit it earned from the previous two outings. As Banning battles (and battles) his way out of increasingly ludicrous odds, viewers may forget at times just who he's fighting. Mowing down armies of faceless bad guys with guns and explosive devices and (at one point) a long-haul truck, Butler looks as exhausted as the audience feels while numbly watching the carnage.
The overstuffed plot of Angel Has Fallen has a lot of threads, as well as characters who show up briefly to throw monkey wrenches into Banning's plans. Of course, as in most protect-the-president films, there are cardboard villains standing between Our Hero and victory: This time around, it's Oval Office insiders, Russian spies, and a group of private military contractors. If that sounds overly complicated, it is, and that's one of the chief reasons it's hard to remember just who's inside the helmet being shot at. Perabo is wasted in her blah worried-wife role, as is Tim Blake Nelson as a shifty-eyed vice president. But a game Nick Nolte is the best thing this movie has going for it: still wild-eyed, raspy, and vital, he brings both pathos and crackle to his all-too-brief role. Filmmakers, some advice: Forget about Fallen, and give this guy an actioner to head up on his own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of violence in Olympus Has Fallen. How does it compare to other action films you've seen? Is it necessary to the story? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Russians have been popular "enemies" in movies and TV shows at different times over the years. Why do you think that is? What are the consequences of portraying a particular group as villainous?
How does Angel Has Fallen compare to previous entries Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen? Which do you like better, and why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 23, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : November 26, 2019
- Cast : Gerard Butler , Morgan Freeman , Jada Pinkett Smith
- Director : Ric Roman Waugh
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Summit Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence and language throughout
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate