If You Loved ‘G20’, You Need to Watch ‘Air Force One’ Now!

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Viola Davis is no longer coaching young attorneys on how to evade murder charges; instead, she’s meting out justice by apprehending and eliminating criminals. Davis has also been a dominant force in the world. Following her role as an African queen wielding a sword, she now portrays a gun-carrying President in the Prime Video movie titled “G20”. In this film, President Danielle Sutton (played by Davis) attends the G20 Summit in South Africa, but former Australian Special Forces Corporal Edward Rutledge (Anthony Starr) and his mercenaries launch an attack. That was a grave mistake! Given her military background, President Sutton responds by breaking some noses.

The pairing of Amanda Waller against Homelander in the movie is intriguing, even though they appear to be compatible. So far, viewers have found it enjoyable, and it’s doing well on streaming platforms. However, some critics argue that it follows a predictable pattern. Regardless, both main actors showcase an impressive acting range; however, the action-thriller genre primarily focuses them on fighting scenes. Nonetheless, G20 is still an enjoyable watch, and if you’ve enjoyed it, consider hopping on board Harrison Ford’s Air Force One for a thrilling ride.

A Geopolitical Mess Spills Onto the President’s Plane in ‘Air Force One’

In the blockbuster movie “Air Force One,” Harrison Ford dramatically orders the villain to leave, which is one of its memorable climactic lines. This film, known for its exciting action sequences and gritty realism, begins with a thrilling scene where American and Russian special forces apprehend General Ivan Radek (Gary Oldman), a wicked dictator planning a nuclear attack from a rogue Soviet-like regime.

A few weeks on, President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) finds himself at a diplomatic dinner in Moscow, accompanied by his wife, daughter, and some members of his cabinet. As they ready themselves to depart for America, a group of six men disguised as journalists secretly gain access to Air Force One, under the orders of their unstable leader, Radek.

Once the aircraft takes off, it’s uncovered that Special Agent Gibbs (Xander Berkeley) has been working undercover. He collaborates with the hijackers, who kill many security personnel upon boarding the plane. Their objective is to coerce the U.S. government into freeing Radek, but they may find it more challenging than anticipated.

As I scurry towards an escape pod hidden in the cargo area, the terrorists are hot on my heels, but miss their chance to nab me. Little do they know, I didn’t board that pod at all – instead, I chose to hide among the crates, biding my time and plotting a showdown with these villains. With grit and determination, our President steps up, ready to face the attackers head-on, defending not just me, but my family as well.

President Marshall and President Sutton Are Very Similar Characters

Director Patricia Riggen, working on the G20 film, didn’t shy away from revisiting familiar territory. Instead of venturing into uncharted territories, she opted for a similar trajectory as Air Force One. Both movies are set in a contemporary world marred by escalating acts of heinous terror, orchestrated by fanatical and misguided extremists who view violence as an effective tool against worldwide injustices. These films delve into the various highs and lows of leadership, emphasizing the cost of holding the position of President, and how even with a strong team in support, a leader finds it difficult to take a moment’s respite.

In my narrative, I’ve found that two key figures share several striking parallels. We find them both venturing into distant lands for significant summits, only to face the ominous threat of terrorism. Interestingly enough, both characters have served in the military, with President Marshall being a decorated Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor. On the other hand, President Sutton, much like myself, served in the Army, seeing action during the Iraq War. As the plot thickens, they leverage their battle-hardened skills to tackle their unique crises, living up to the archetype of the action hero president.

In the midst of turmoil, families play a significant role in the decision-making of presidents. Both leaders decided it was prudent to bring their loved ones along with them. Accompanying President Sutton are her spouse, son, and teenage daughter. The daughter has faced recent media scrutiny and requires a breath of fresh air and a new environment. Thus, when violence erupts, the safety of their families becomes more precarious than that of others. This heightens the characters’ determination. They become bold risk-takers, prepared to jeopardize their own lives to safeguard each family member’s survival.

Each movie spotlights nonconformist terrorist organizations with political inclinations. In “Air Force One,” Russian zealots aim to free their leader to continue his nuclear ambitions and establish global supremacy. Meanwhile, in “G20,” Edward Rutledge seeks personal wealth by exploiting global markets through deep-fakes and cryptocurrency. Ultimately, this would catapult him into one of the world’s most influential figures.

In addition, there’s a spy in every situation who is only uncovered in the climax. How about placing both movies in locations that are meant to be extremely secure? The Prime version is simply an update of the Columbia Pictures release, a modern response to Soviet strategies. However, does it compare to Air Force One, which boasts breathtaking visuals, expansive vistas, and some of the most thrilling fight sequences ever filmed?

‘Air Force One’ Makes More Sense Than ‘G20’

In G20, the action-packed game of cat-and-mouse is brilliantly executed, yet the plot’s logical consistency seems to have taken a back seat. The storyline, with its growing inconsistencies, appears far-fetched. It’s highly implausible that a small group of terrorists could infiltrate and overpower the world’s most powerful leaders, considering their robust security measures and intelligence networks. If such an incident were to occur unnoticed, it would be swiftly thwarted within minutes by these protective services.

In essence, while both Air Force One and the G20 focus on the same audience, it’s clear that Air Force One, as portrayed in the Harrison Ford film, excels. This movie creates a chilling, tense, and intricate atmosphere, effectively depicting the villains’ menace and strategic planning. In contrast, Viola Davis’ version can be seen as a typical one-person action film, placing greater emphasis on extravagant stunts rather than character development.

In the initial stages, President Sutton presents an innovative idea: utilizing cryptocurrency as a means to aid farmers in underdeveloped regions worldwide and combat global hunger. However, this concept overlooks significant hurdles, like technical constraints and regulatory complications. Furthermore, it’s highly unlikely that criminals could exploit deepfake videos of prominent figures for manipulating stock markets. Such deception would be quickly detected by skilled individuals.

The issue with the villain also persists. Although Anthony Starr, who played Homelander, was an excellent choice due to his self-assured demeanor and graceful actions, his influence on the storyline is diminished because he portrays a weak character. Edward Rutledge, the antagonist, seems generic compared to Starr’s talent, making it necessary for him to tone down his acting abilities to match the character’s level (yet he still manages to add some peculiar facial expressions).

It often comes down to the director’s interpretation and execution of the concept, even when talented actors like Harrison Ford and Viola Davis are involved.

Wolfgang Petersen, who helmed Air Force One, is a Hollywood legend with an illustrious career. He was already renowned when the film was released, particularly for the 1981 World War II movie Das Boot, which earned him Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Petersen’s other notable works include Troy and The Perfect Storm, further solidifying his status among great directors. In contrast, Patricia Riggen was new to the action genre with G20; a Kathryn Bigelow or Patty Jenkins might have excelled in this project, but we appreciate what she delivered.

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2025-04-18 01:02