First of all, this movie is a WOW. But it's not for kids. It is bloody and violent so it's strictly for adults. That said, it is a powerful action movie with a new hero in Hollywood. Move over Sly, Arnold, Bruce, and the rest of you. Make way for Gerard Butler. Yes, the man who played the Phantom in the 2004 movie The Phantom of the Opera proves he has what it takes to be a one-man killing machine.

Olympus Has Fallen is the story of an army of terrorists who take over the White House in a bloody battle. They take the President (Aaron Eckhart) hostage and their demands for his release could lead to World War III. These guys mean business. Led by Kang (Rick Yune), they have no mercy and no compassion for the innocent. They kill everyone.

During the attack, the President's former Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Butler), now pushing pencils at the Treasury Department, heads over to the White House (aka Olympus, the Secret Service codename for the building) to help. He makes his way through the streets of Washington as they are being riddled with bullets from an attack plane. When he arrives at the White House the carnage is extensive, but he manages to make his way through the gun battle into the building. When the shooting is over, Banning is the only good guy left in the White House, except for the hostages in the White House bunker.

Sound familiar? Most viewers will compare this plot to the 1988 Die Hard story. Butler's Banning is more endearing than Bruce Willis' John McClane character. And he is better looking. Sorry, Bruce.

While Banning strategically battles the forces inside the building, the Speaker of the House (Morgan Freeman) takes control of the government. Will he or won't he give into the terrorists' demands? The United States does not negotiate with terrorists.

Olympus Has Fallen is non-stop action from beginning to end. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. True, there are some unanswered questions throughout the film, but hey, this was intended to entertain audiences and it certainly does that. It delivers an action-packed experience that will take a spot on the list of powerful action movies. And yes, Gerard Butler is amazing.

The movie is rated R for strong violence and language so leave the kiddies at home. But definitely grab your spouse or friend or significant other and head out to the theater for this "E Ticket" movie experience.

Photo credit: Phillip V. Caruso/FilmDistrict