Director Ilya Naishuller has already proven himself in the action genre with films such as Hardcore Henry and Nobody. Now he is teaming up with John Cena and Idris Elba for the action-comedy Heads of State co-starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Stephen Root, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle and Paddy Considine. Could this buddy action flick deliver the fun and violence, or will it fail to get enough votes?

 

Head of State follows the UK Prime Minister and US President who have a public rivalry that risks their countries’ alliance. But when they become targets of a powerful enemy, they’re forced to rely on each other as they go on a wild, multinational run. Allied with Noel, a brilliant MI6 agent, they must find a way to thwart a conspiracy that threatens the free world.

 

I am a big fan of both Cena and Elba so was excited to see them reunited but also concerned if I could buy into them in these roles especially Cena as President. The story works perfectly for this with it taking the Schwarzenegger actor/politician idea for Cena and kind of gives us a glimpse of what it could have been with Conan in the White House. He is charming and likeable with Elba being the more series politician with baggage making him more put off by the President.

 

The story is simple enough to get them together before diving into the action and essentially making it a survival trip for these two with a dysfunctional relationship that offers up laughs and plenty of action. There isn’t anything here that you haven’t seen before on the action front, but it still manages to kick some butt and bring the fun. It helps that Cena is not the typical action star and most of his fighting is comical and works to create balance to the serious and silliness.