From Paris With Love

From Paris With Love 2010
Director: Pierre Morel
Writer: Adi Hasak
Starring John Travolta, Jonathon Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden, Yin Bing, Amber Rose Revah, Eric Godon and Mostefa Stiti
Taken was one of the best action films of the past 10 years, so when I heard Morel was coming out with another one this time with John Travolta I was so there. While this is not on the level of Taken this is a great over the top action film. With what I believe is Travolta’s best performance since Face/Off. The film starts off rather leisurely but once Travolta is introduced it is a roller coaster until the very end. The action sequences are insane and never believable, but that is half the fun. The plot is pretty simple but with a few twists that work really well. Though anything that takes screen time away from Travolta hurts the film, but it always picks up momentum whenever Travolta is on screen. This is not the most original action film, but it puts you through its paces very well and you are never bored by it and that is all you can ask from an action film.
The plot basics are this, James Reece (Meyers) is a ambitious aide to the United States Ambassador to France and wants to be promoted into the intelligence area. On the evening him and his girlfriend Caroline become engaged he is asked to ferret around a operative, Charlie Wax (Travolta) through Paris during a covert mission. James is taken on a wild ride of danger with bullets flying and must steel himself for a betrayal he has never seen coming. It wall all lead to a double cross and James will have to do something he never though he could possibly do to survive the whole day.
This is a slam bang action film. Morel directs the action sequences with aplomb. The scene in the drug dealer’s apartment is fast and furious but you are able to follow every fluid move of Travolta’s. The script is simple and easy to follow, but does have some twists that surprise you. The slow character development of James helps you ease into the film, so when Wax shows up you are ready for it. The cast is great, with a big emphasis going to Travolta. He really steals the film and is very charismatic to watch. He really pulls off the fight sequences well too. Meyers is good as James and really becomes the viewer’s focal point as they experience the film. Smutniak is a great romantic lead as Caroline and has a big character arc in the story. She is very easy on the eyes and you easily sympathize with her. The SFX and action sequences are easy on the eyes too. I especially loved when Travolta took on the asian street gang, that was a phenomenal scene. The score by David Buckley also works in the film’s behalf it is loud and boisterous just like the film. This is a fun action film that plays on all cylinders.
This one gets 4 out of 5