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The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Heads of State' movie review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Idris Elba, and John Cena go all out to save the world (and partly succeed)
In Heads of State, Priyanka Chopra, Idris Elba, and John Cena do everything but provide an escape from the current geopolitical headwinds. So, if you are looking for respite, look elsewhere. In fact, they put you square in the middle of a fragile international order being puppeteered by an American President Will Derringer (John Cena), with a penchant for acting in films, and a British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba), who runs at midnight in the streets of London donning Arsenal merchandise. The film opens with Noel Basset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), a tough MI6 agent, leading a covert operation in the middle of Spain's Tomatina festival. However, things quickly go sideways when her team is sabotaged, and we are led to believe that she has died. On the other hand, in the land of the free, President Derringer and Prime Minister Clarke's hostility only grows. After fumbling a press conference, a staff member suggests that they travel on the same flight and make amends during the journey. And obviously, a Russian is going to swoop in to upend their plans — Air Force One is attacked by Viktor Gradov (Paddy Considine), a Russian-born arms dealer turned extremist, and the two gentlemen quickly find themselves stranded in a Belarusian forest. The duo must devise a plan to get out of the woods and reach the NATO conference in Italy in time for an important vote, all while being chased by Gradov's ruthless killers. Heads of State (English) Director: Ilya Naishuller Cast: Idris Elba, John Cena, Priyanka Chopra, Paddy Considine, Sarah Niles, Jack Quaid Runtime: 116 minutes Storyline: When Air Force One gets shot down over enemy territory, the President of the USA and the Prime Minister of the UK find themselves on the run and working together to thwart a global conspiracy. Watching Cena and Elba crawl their way back to civilisation with their larger-than-life personalities in full display makes for an entertaining watch. The sequence featuring the President and the Prime Minister crouched in a truck transporting livestock, with Hang Me, Oh Hang Me playing in the background, is one for the ages. The leads' slick action sequences cushioned by the acting chops of the supporting cast ground this movie. Basset's partly funny puns and surprising comeback midway through the film, Derringer's heart-breaking honesty, and Clarke's hard shell that eventually cracks help steer the movie to its shore. A special mention to the restrained Sarah Niles, as the top aide to the President, and Jack Quaid, the CIA safe house watchman, who brings brevity to the frame. However, by robbing the audience of a chance to experience this high-octane thriller in theatres, Amazon Studios is doing a big disservice to the craft of action movies. There is more than enough fun and frivolity in this summer movie, but its nonchalance (or wilful ignorance?) concerning the current global order left me feeling uncomfortable; it somehow manages to walk a tight rope of self-aware satire and fantastical politicking. Championing NATO as 'friends who stand up to a bully' is disingenuous and makes one sad at the thought of another movie from the West working as a propaganda vehicle. Ilya Naishuller's 120-minute-long film, in the end, feels like an attempt to whitewash the international groups and organisations that have caused instability across the developing world. Heads of State is currently streaming on Prime Video
Geek Vibes Nation
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
‘Heads Of State' Review: A Good Old-Fashioned Buddy Movie Riddled With Cliches, Predictability And Loads Of Fun
'He doesn't know the difference between a press conference and a press junket' wasn't only the best line heard in a room full of critics, but it also sums up perfectly the two central characters in the hilarious buddy movie Heads of State . On the one hand, you have the almost Schwarzenegger knock-off Will Derringer (John Cena), who gained his seat at the Oval Office by starring in B-flicks and taking selfies with the fans. In contrast, you have the stern, serious, and military-trained Prime Minister Sam Clark (Idris Elba). While the difference in political views certainly ensures fireworks on the most critical stage in front of the entire world, it is also highly entertaining on the big screen. Director Ilya Naishuller ( Nobody ) certainly fills this movie with tons of testosterone, machismo and chest-puffing men. Still, it's the women who make the most significant impact at first, especially Priyanka Chopra Jonas ( Citadel ). Her Noel Bisset delivers an enthralling blood-soaked opening scene in the middle of the world-famous Tomatina festival, during which a covert operation on weapons dealer Viktor Gradov (an underused Paddy Considine) goes completely south. Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Noel Bisset in 'Heads of State' courtesy of Prime Video While the script doesn't do Jonas' character any justice, whenever she appears on screen, she shows that it's girls who run the world, as Beyoncé would say. Her slick fighting skills, pitch-perfect timing, and even slightly touching performance carry this film over the finish line, even when this feature starts to test the boundaries of his credibility during the final act. The Looney Tunes-like car chase certainly pushes the limits of the human body and mind, as well as the audience's acceptance of clichés and 'been there, done that' moments. It's a shame that both Jonas and Considine don't receive a lot of screen time, as there's much more to their characters and performances than we currently get to see. It's clear that Naishuller wants to make Elba ( Three Thousand Years of Longing ) and Cena ( Peacemaker ) shine, and both actors grab that chance with both hands and go running with it. The first encounters between Will and Sam might be extremely awkward, as they're mainly filled with two men bickering about who has the best political approach, who's the most experienced, and fish and chips (which slowly becomes a joke that's used too much for its own good). However, once their latest PR stunt, involving Sam boarding Air Force One, ends dramatically when the plane is shot down with the two being the only survivors, that's when this movie speeds up, and the performances become more electric. The special effects might be (very) questionable at times, but we can't say the same about the acting (luckily). Both Cena and Elba inject a lot of humour, charisma and presence into this done-by-the-number screenplay. Each in their own way, though. Sam might seem calm, cool, and even smug, based on what the script suggests, but Elba adds more warmth, humanness, and personality to his character. Sam has little patience for wanna-be's, and every time Will shows a hint of the Hollywood celebrity status he's gained over the years, the two politicians go head-to-head. It's during those moments that we also see that Cena, despite either standing in the wrestling ring or starring in a 'turn-off-your-brains' movie with less substance than this one, can find the sweet spot between a kick-ass performance and emotional acting. Idris Elba as Sam Clark and John Cena as Will Derringer in 'Heads of State' courtesy of Prime Video It's that mix of fighting moves and people skills that hopefully will ensure the leads make it in time for the NATO summit. After being presumed dead, their political allies have taken prominent political positions, but as we all know, sometimes people aren't who they say they are. It's up to the two former powerhouses to save the world, but that's not going to be easy. They not only have to set aside the differences and animosity they might have against each other, but they also have to work together to overcome many explosions, car chases, and bullet rains at the hands of Gradov. The life-threatening journey results in top-notch entertainment and way too many slow-motion action scenes. While this movie sometimes takes it just a little bit too far, the set pieces and the delightful action scenes do deliver the goods for the majority of the runtime. The best example, without a doubt, is the shootout at the Polish safehouse. Not only because of the clever use of the weapons, comedy and the leads, but also because of the scene-stealing Jack Quaid. To the tunes of Sabotage by the Beastie Boys (kudos to the team for the obvious but still effective soundtrack choices), his junior agent Marty Comer causes more mayhem in those few scenes than his Nathan 'Novocaine' Caine did in the entirety of Novocaine . There's no two ways about it. The script of Heads of State comes straight out of an action movie playbook, and the film doesn't take itself too seriously. However, that still doesn't warrant why this feature doesn't at least get a limited release in cinemas, as Naishuller delivers what he promises. Perhaps Prime Video aims to utilise Cena and Elba as the main attraction to attract more subscribers, or it's due to the intense competition on the big screen. We'll never know. However, what we do know is that Heads of State is a good old-fashioned buddy movie that delivers cliches, predictability, but also loads of fun. Heads of State is out now on Prime Video
News18
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Priyanka Chopra, At Heads Of State Premiere, Outshines John Cena And Idris Elba
Last Updated: The silver gown Priyanka Chopra wore for the event looked like it was just made for her. Her co-stars also did well to complement the actress on the red carpet. Priyanka Chopra channelled her boss woman attitude for the screening of her action-comedy Heads of State. Several pictures of the actress alongside her co-stars John Cena and Idris Elba have been circulating on social media. Fans cannot simply get over Priyanka's bold yet classy red carpet look. The silver gown she wore for the event looked like it was just made for her. Her co-stars also did well to complement the actress on the red carpet. Priyanka's sleeveless silver satin gown has a crew neckline, a halter-style silhouette with spaghetti shoulder straps, and a gathered design on the bodice. Priyanka paired the satin slip dress with simple silver accessories, such as tiny hanging earrings and cocktail rings. Black pointed pumps completed her appearance. Finally, for the glam, the actress went all out to highlight her sharp features. Her hair was left loose in a centre parting and styled in a soft, straight look. John Cena appeared in a blue suit whereas Idris Edna went for a black one. Priyanka Chopra is simply stunning in silver at the #HeadsOfState NYC premiere alongside her co-stars John Cena and Idris Elba! 💫 — ExtraTV (@extratv) June 24, 2025 Recently, the trio sat together for an interview with Extra TV, where they addressed several behind-the-scenes details. Priyanka shared why they recreated Spain's tomatina festival in France and how technology helped her. The actress said, 'We recreated the Tomatina festival in the south of France. I was really dreading it, like rotten tomatoes, squashed tomatoes and six days of filming. It was not my idea of fun but it was all special effects. This jelly that was put on my skin as I was laying down on set, this is what happens on a big budget." Heads Of State delves into a time of political instability and global threat in a State. In the film, Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Noel Bisset, an elite MI6 agent tasked with protecting two of the world's most important leaders: Will Derringer, President of the United States, and Sam Clarke, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, played by John Cena and Idris Elba. Ilya Naishuller directed the film which also stars Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid and Sarah Niles. The high-stakes action comedy is packed with political twists and hilarious scenes. The movie will be available on Prime Video on July 2 in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. First Published:
