COLOMBIANA (2011)

Directed By: Olivier Megaton 
Written By: Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen 
 Cinematography By: Romain Lacourbas 
Editor: Camille Delamarre 

 Cast: Zoe Saldana, Michael Vartan, Callum Blue, Jordi Molla, Lennie James, Cliff Curtis, Jesse Borrego, Max Martini

A young woman grows up to be a stone-cold assassin after witnessing her parents' murder as a child in Bogota. She works for her uncle as a hitman by day, but her personal time is spent engaging in vigilante murders that she hopes will lead her to her ultimate target - the mobster responsible for her parents' death.

Unofficial sequel to the professional. --The script was originally written as a sequel to Leon: The Professional and would have focused on Natalie Portman's character Mathilda. However when that movie did not come to fruition writer Luc Besson and director Olivier Megatron changed the story to that of a new character with a South American background. While it would be nice to get a direct sequel. If certain particulars can't come together. It is understandable. So instead rework the screenplay and distance yourself to a degree ad hand it off to someone else. As it Is doubtful the sequel could match the magic of the original. Though it might have been on a upper level had Besson Directed it. Though this film more comes as a testing for a star vehicle for Zoe Saldana to see how much earning power she had at the box office.

So here we have a familiar character and film. That is a set-up from the get go and while generic it is fun to a degree. This film would have made more of an impact and had more of an identity had it been rated R. Instead of the safe Family Friendly Pg-13, As the film always feels near the edge of tawdry and more of an adult theme.

Since it is new feel need to retell the story which informs the film and takes up a third of the running time. I imagine if truly a sequel we would have learned what happened since we last saw her.

Action scenes are impressive but feel empty and just for show. Which is the intention. I mean the film rarely slows down to ever be boring. So it keeps you interested, but for all it's international flavor and coloring. It still remains predictable. Trust me you have seen it before, just not with modern technology of the time and as colorful.

Happy to see a female action hero, though the film is predictable. Trying to protect and keep her boyfriend safe. He is the damsel in distress. It is also nice to see a minority actress in the action mold and the film not be as exploitive as it could have been. I only wish it could have been better. Though not the greatest it would have been nice to see a series of films with this character, as she is almost like a comic book Character come to life. Only more hardcore. Less heroic.

With her skinny yet toned frame. It is easy to see how demure yet dangerous Zoe Saldana is in the role and am finally happy to see her get more deserving roles and leads. As I have been a fan of her work since the coming of age dance film CENTER STAGE. Here she doesn't disappoint. Handling the few dramatic scenes and action scenes amicably.

Not as good as the professional Which felt special while seeming like a typical action film. This film is typical whole trying to be a deeper revenge tale.

A good rental

Grade C+