BROMANCE AT THE MOVIES

Man on man admiration doesn't always have to be a sexual experience. Sometimes one man could love another due to a common bond or a mutual kinship. Take the film 'London has Fallen' for instance. In it, you'll see a president and his top-security guard jump around from pillar to post, fist to fist, and gun to gun, to such an extent, you might actually mistake their union to be some sort of reality based dance competition. Here, check out these other silver screen bromance's to see what I'm talking about...





Olympus has Fallen (2013)

President Benjamin Asher & Mike Banning

Well, let me start off my list with the example I just gave. To me, what binds President Asher (Aaron Eckhart) to his chief security officer, Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), is their mutual allegiance to duty and state. Even though their friendship began on complicated terms, Asher and Banning eventually grew closer because of their common understanding that when the world is in danger, it’s no longer important to play by the rules. Don’t look for sentiment here; Asher and Banning are macho to the core. The duo is about action, not words, and little of those need be exchanged in order for them to communicate. Still, rare moments of softness are all we need to see the true depth of dependence, loyalty, and friendship between these two.

Star Wars (1977)
Han Solo & Chewbacca

Perhaps it’s the contrast of a partnership that is one half furry, one half human, which has made the bromance between Han Solo and Chewbacca as endearing as it is. One of the toughest partnerships in space, Han and Chewy (Harrison Ford & Peter Mayhew) are nothing but a pair of softies in each other’s presence. We need not understand Chewbacca’s native tongue, nor see his face behind all that fur, to fully understand the love in both his words and face when communicating with Han. Likewise, as lethal as Han may be as an opponent, he is powerless to the requests of his beloved partner. Leia may have written Han Solo off years ago, but at least Han can always count on Chewy to be his trusty sidekick.

Lethal Weapon (1987)
Roger Murtaugh & Martin Riggs 

Like salt and pepper, gin and tonic, or cookies and milk, Riggs and Murtaugh are a completely different paring that work better together than they do apart. When two LAPD homicide detective's are forced to team up on a homicide case, it can easily be said that neither man are at the top of their game. One of them is a seasoned Vietnam vet, Murtaugh (Danny Glover), where as the other is a volatile ex-special forces officer, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson). Worst still, Murtaugh has just turned 50 and is feeling a bit insecure about his age, and on a similar note, Riggs is suicidal after the recent loss of his wife. But fear not, film fans, both men come together when Riggs saves Murtaugh's life, resulting in a deep trust solidified between the two, cementing their relationship in a warm family dinner and two subsequent sequels.


Men in Black (1997)
Agent K & Agent J

Now Agent K and Agent J may have completely different approaches to just about everything they do, yet, that said, when it comes to fighting aliens, one is the yin to the other’s yang. In 'Men in Black', Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) was slow to accept Agent J (Will Smith), but by the sequel, K has come to look at J as a son. Agent K has taught Agent J everything he knows, and Agent J has taught him a few things in return.


Toy Story (1995)
Woody & Buzz Lightyear

One wears a cowboy hat and carries a lasso, while the other wears a space suit and shoots laser beams for protection. However, despite differing means of doing things, Woody and Buzz are united by their mutual love for their owner, Andy, and duty to protect him and the other toys in Andy’s room from harm. Woody and Buzz demonstrate that the power of friendship transcends all boundaries, and loyalty makes a good partnership impenetrable. You got a friend in me...


Rush Hour (1998)
Detective Inspector Lee & Detective James Carter

When the daughter of the Chinese Consul is kidnapped on American soil, Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) and Detective Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) are forced to team-up, inadvertently beginning a bromance that makes for comedy gold. Although Kung Fu tradition butts heads with LA street smarts, cultures clash, and jokes fly, throughout their mission both Lee and Carter learn much more from each other than they initially thought they would.


Lord of the Rings (2001)
Frodo & Sam

They may not be what we think of as traditional heroes, but this humble hobbit duo make up one of the most compelling bro buddy partnerships to ever touch the silver screen. When Frodo (Elijah Wood) is tasked with destroying a legendary ring inherited from his uncle, his life-long friend Sam (Sean Astin) willingly agrees to join him for the perilous journey. Two sensible hobbits with no previous ambitions for personal heroism, Frodo and Sam bravely fight some of the toughest obstacles ever written. We love an underdog, and this partnership of two undeniably charming underdogs makes for a surprisingly fierce and deeply captivating team.

LONDON HAS FALLEN is available on Blu-ray, DVD, and all digital platforms, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment.