When it comes to Amazon films, you can usually tell what you’re going to be in for. There will be some action, of course, typically enough to keep us entertained. Sometimes, however, you get surprised, and that is what Heads of State gives us.

Heads of State is a delightful gem. Helmed by Idris Elba and John Cena, their combined star power and camaraderie are the compelling forces of what would otherwise be a rote action film. Sure, the dialogue is funny, but it’s their deliveries, their reactions, that make it shine.

UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Elba) and US President Will Derringer (Cena) could not be more opposite. Clarke is a straight-laced traditional politician, but Derringer, a former Hollywood action hero of the fictional Water Cobra franchise, tries to appeal to the people. Perhaps fifteen years ago, a character like him being president would have seemed impossible, but in today’s world, it’s entirely believable.

Clarke and Derringer don’t have the best relationship, either. During Derringer’s campaign, Clarke had fish and chips with his opponent, and that remains an oft-repeated occurrence throughout the film. Clarke, meanwhile, doesn’t respect Derringer’s background as an actor and his minimal political experience. But with his current ratings continuing to decline, their advisors (Sarah Niles and Richard Coyle) suggest taking a performative ride on Air Force One.

White House Down for a new generation

Heads of State
Heads of State

But midflight, when a terrorist attack takes down Air Force One, Clarke and Derringer find themselves the sole survivors of the crash as they parachute down into a corner of Belarus. Presumed dead, they make their way to Warsaw, determined to find out who was behind the attack and how to stop them.

As the pair tries to make their way back to civilization, VP Elizabeth Kirk (Carla Gugino) is sworn in. While she handles the fallout, Derringer and Clarke fight their way through incredulous action sequences. Director Ilya Naishuller (of Nobody fame) keeps things fresh with new camera angles and perspectives. This is, perhaps, what makes this film work so well. You can see dozens of knockout fights and car chases, but when somebody experiments with a take, it is infinitely more interesting.

In Poland, they meet Marty Comer (Jack Quaid) in a CIA safe house. He subsequently has a wonderful montage with more action than I’ve seen in one sequence in a while. Quaid, as always, remains a delight onscreen regardless of his character, and I wish we had gotten more of him.

Along the way, they also run into Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra), a former flame of Clarke’s who was presumed dead. One of the best running bits in the film is a quick montage of explaining how a character got to where they are, as we see with Bisset. It’s this kind of creativity that puts Heads of State, well, a head above the rest.

Heads of State – It’s about the culmination of the journey

Ultimately, Derringer and Clarke have to save themselves. It is thanks to screenwriters Harrison Query, Josh Appelbaum, and André Nemec that this does not lead to the film falling into the category of “streaming action film to be quickly forgotten.” There are some gags that feel almost too cheesy to work, but the way Elba and Cena deliver and react to them is what makes those moments successful.

There is a lot to love about this film, and possibly a lot to dislike, depending on your level of whimsy. Sure, true politicians would probably handle this differently. But in an age where actors have taken the highest office in the land more than once, it really is not far off the mark when you think about it.

Personally, I think Heads of State should have been released in theatres. It’s meant to be best enjoyed with popcorn and strangers. However, that does not take away that this film is fun and just what we needed in an early-summer popcorn flick.