Writer-director Tom Getty’s loathsome America Has Fallen adds itself to the apparent Fallen cinematic universe, which is forming around America being in various states of peril (though, Gerard Butler did save London once.) Butler’s Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen aren’t good movies but Getty’s desperate attempt to reflect those films make them look like masterpieces.
America Has Fallen is so distractingly awful, trying to make a grand action picture out of a few cents. I don’t condone knocking indie filmmakers, who we desperately need to make movie-going continually interesting, but if you don’t have the resources to produce an effects-laden movie then you should not make one. Most of America Has Fallen looks like video game graphics were put into each scene any time a building explodes or a car crashes.
“…the overacting, the main star’s blank stares – that there isn’t a moment to grab onto during the movie.”
Even so, the effects aren’t always the worst part of the movie. Getty is a stiff leading man, lacking any charisma or presence, in a race against time that is completely devoid of tension. He stars as Ryan Taylor, an ex-Marine, who meets a girl on a bus one day. They exchange pleasantries and flirtations, even appearing to know a little bit about the other, from previous observations on the bus, without ever having spoken.
The beginning speech almost made me stop watching, but I am glad I perservered. For beginnning movie-makers, this is inspiring. Yes, plenty of plot holes, but the overall script, acting, action sequences and suspense were excellent. I found it as good as any of the high budget movies. Especially better than the Avengers, the DC universe movies and the like. Tom Getty needs to get some attention and respect.
I have just watched America Has Fallen. Given its extremely limited budget, (which obviously affects production values), I couldnt stop watching it. The story is intriguing, somewhat relevant to the current world situation and worth building on. I was reminded of the unfinished film project, Grey State (due to the untimely, somewhat suspicious death of its creator). I would love to see Tom Getty films.
Hey, what are you picture perfect critics talking about? It may not be an Oscar winning film, but it was great!
The ending sucked. But I liked it.
Right on… you are right on, awful film.
The comment above relating to poorly made movies, ” after 10 minutes… stop the movie…went for something else, this movie.. didn’t make me want to do that”, is a good summary of the experience. Yes, some…well, most is of the script, acting, FX, are really, really bad when compared to a well budgeted film…but I couldn’t top watching. I laughed at times that I’m sure were not intended for humor, cringed at some of the actors overall execution of characters, accents, facial expressions, amateurish sounding voices, etc… even face palmed and talked back to the screen in incredulity of the plot…. yet felt well entertained the entire time. This Tom Getty fellow may have some shortcomings in budget and maybe even every other single aspect of movie making, but he’s got something going that most other B film makers don’t. I kind of hope this film will be recognized by some of the backing money in the industry and he gets a chance to learn from his mistakes, make all around improvements in his art and get the opportunity to do it right. “America Has Fallen” may be bad, laughable, and just plain dumb at times, but it has something going on at the heart of it that is quite special.
I agree with John Giordano. The movie could have been better, but as an Indie Filmmaker, they do only have so much money to put into something, i.e., this movie (as Indie Authors I’ve been reading). They are starting out, more or less on the ground floor, so seriously, this movie wasn’t that bad, as I’ve definitely seen much, much worse movies, that after 10 minutes give or taken I’ve stopped the movie and went for something else, this movie didn’t make me want to do that. This movie kept me watching right from the start. Not all movie makers are Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas or Quentin Taratino. They all have to start somewhere, as this is Tom Getty’s somewhere. He’s sure to get better as time goes on and the movie was pretty good as it also kept me glued right to the end. I hope to see more of Tom Getty’s movies (with him in them or not) and watch him progress, as I believe he will get better with time. So Mr. Tom Getty, if you see this, keep it up, don’t let it detour you from your course. Everyone has their opinion, there will be people like Matthew Passantino out there of course, but then there will be people like John Giordano and myself. I love reading books from Indie Authors and watching movies from Indie Filmmakers, as I’m a disabled Marine Corps Veteran, I certainly have the time.
Cynthia Terrones — thank you for the very kind words.
It received poor reviews but the premise of the movie was very good. Could he have used better actors and special effects? Sure but the movie kept me and my wife at the edge of our seats! We liked it!
I like this Film. Those persons who criticized this movie are those that are just trying to destroy the accomplishment of others. It is not about Budget, but it is how you appreciate and encourage someone who has done their best.