Politics, punchlines, and popcorn fun power this wild action ride

*The overall critic’s rating is not an average of the sub scores above

Story: UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and US President Will Derringer (John Cena) are frenemies with a very public rivalry, until a deadly global threat forces them to put their egos aside and work together. When Air Force One is shot down mid-air, the duo is stranded and hunted across borders. MI6’s agent Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) helps them unravel a high-stakes conspiracy before time runs out.Review: Politics turns personal and explosive in Ilya Naishuller’s slick, high-energy action comedy. Watching two world leaders—a stiff, no-nonsense British PM and a flamboyant action hero-turned-US President—bicker like schoolboys while dodging bullets and bombs is half the fun; the other half is the relentless action woven through a sharp narrative. The explosive escapade packs a layered plot, balancing Sam and Will’s personal rivalry with a high-stakes chase led by Viktor Gradov (Paddy Considine as a Russian mob boss on a vengeful warpath), and a larger conspiracy to derail global peace. Writers Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query skillfully weave these threads into a cohesive, tight-knit narrative with no loose ends. The highlight? Every action set piece delivers edge-of-the-seat thrills.As an action-comedy, the film strikes a fine balance between both genres—neither overshadowing the other. Amid the adrenaline-pumping sequences, there’s plenty of room for laughter. Much of the comedy stems from Elba and Cena’s sharp repartee, with their flawless comic timing and undeniable chemistry adding to the film’s charm.From serious fights aboard Air Force One to one on a speeding train and those on the roads to a silly skirmish with Polish punk teenagers, every action sequence is thrilling.Idris Elba nails the act of a stiff PM and former military man, just as John Cena shines as his stark opposite—an animated former action hero playing to the gallery. Priyanka Chopra Jonas adds flair as the MI6 agent—lame puns and all—shining equally in combat and performance. She is striking in every scene, from the opening sequence where her undercover team’s cover is blown to ensuring the duo stays safe from their enemies and can stop an event that would devastate world peace. Jack Quaid deserves mention as Marty Comer, a jittery but earnest government agent tasked with overseeing President Will Derringer’s security and operations. He’s not a traditional action hero but shines as the comic relief. With no dull moments and a narrative that races ahead, this is a wild diplomatic detour worth taking. Slickly executed and consistently entertaining, it hits the sweet spot between action and comedy with ease.