Secret Service Agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) is preparing to tender his resignation and see to his about-to-grow family with an expecting Leah (Radha Mitchell) when the world interferes again.

This time, he and the president, Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) are off to London to attend a funeral; the British Prime Minister suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Or was it the first move in a plan? As the world leaders descend on the UK to pay their respects, a terrorist organization decides to make their move and take out as many world leaders as they can leaving countless countries in anarchy, and once again, no one may have counted on one lone secret service agent to save the day.

Banning not only works to make sure the President and Lynne (Angela Bassett) getaway, after a well-orchestrated chase, but that’s only the beginning of Banning’s efforts, and the baddies are going to regret things before the story is over. But even with Banning’s help, the president and others in his charge may not make it through unscathed or alive.

Of course, there’s some flag-waving, and it’s a predictable action film, but it is a lot of fun, despite some of the over-the-top ‘Merica!!

Who will survive and will Mike be able to get home in time for Leah to give birth?

Continuity is key to making this one enjoyable, Turnbull (Morgan Freeman) is now the new VP, while Angela Bassett returns as Secret Service Director Lynne Jacobs, and Robert Forster returns as General Clegg, and I was delighted to see Colin Salmon appearing as Clegg’s opposite number in the UK at Scotland Yard.

Turnbull finds himself back in the war room surrounded by suits and uniforms as he proves he may be the best president for the job.

A shorter film than the first, the narrative wastes no time building towards events viewers know have to happen to kick Banning into the action. It’s the time taken with the character moments and the building of the situation in the first film that made it enjoyable, however, and this time around it feels a touch rushed.

The film also doesn’t have Fuqua’s steady hand on the helm. The destruction of London is comparable in emotional impact to the assault on Washington in the first film, and it’s portrayed realistically, and loudly enough to have its desired effect.

It does have the Die Hard scenario down, even introducing some walkie-talkie banter as Banning works to keep the President safe from all of the terrorists who have made the pair a target as they work to get through a now wartorn London to safety.

This one is a no-brainer, and sure some of Banning’s dialogue is a little ridiculous, but it’s a fun little popcorn movie and entertains for what it is. Is the third film better, worse? I’ll find out next week.