White House Down (2013)

Channing Tatum drives the presidential limo in circles around the North Lawn fountain while half the building shoots at him, and White House Down treats that as one of its calmer scenes. It’s very silly. It also knows it’s very silly, which is more than most movies where the White House gets wrecked can say. Tatum and Jamie Foxx make a fun mismatched pair: the muscle who can’t catch a break and the leader who keeps giving speeches between gunfights. Joey King is the real star as Emily, a politics nerd who keeps filming the bad guys on her phone. Roland Emmerich’s weak spot is length. At 131 minutes the plot keeps stacking twists, double-crosses and countdowns, and the last half hour feels like three endings fighting over one microphone. It made $205.4 million worldwide on a reported $150M. A 5.6 because it’s a dumb blast with a good sense of humor and no idea when to stop. $93.36 says you take your next guided tour and ask the guide where the secret tunnels are.

What works: Tatum and Foxx have easy buddy chemistry, and Joey King gives the movie a real heart as Cale’s fearless daughter.

What doesn’t: At 131 minutes it piles twist on twist, and the last half hour keeps ending and starting all over again.

Who it’s for: Fans of big, goofy action who want a buddy comedy with explosions and don’t need any of it to make sense.