‘Heads of State’ Director Ilya Naishuller Breaks Down That Wild Air Force One Action Sequence

By Drew Taylor

“Heads of State,” now streaming on Prime Video, is an insanely entertaining summer movie blockbuster that you can watch from the comfort of your living room. It stars John Cena, as a former action hero turned President of the United States, and Idris Elba, as a stuffy Prime Minister, who are forced to band together and go on an adventure, even though they don’t like each other much.

The movie harkens back to the slick, studio-produced action comedies of the 1980s and 1990s, and delivers some hard-charging set pieces inside a PG-13 framework that the entire family can enjoy. (It’s also got a killer supporting cast that includes Jack Quaid, Priyanka Chopra, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino and a sneering Paddy Considine as the big bad.) It’s a hoot. And proof that you don’t have to leave your house for one of the year’s best summer movies.