FROM PARIS WITH LOVE (2010)

Directed By: Pierre Morel 
Written By: Adi Hasak 
Story By: Luc Besson 
Cinematography By: Michael Abramowicz 
Editor: Frederic Thoraval 


Cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Amber Rose Revah, Richard Durden 


James Reece is an ambitious aide to the U.S. Ambassador in Paris, doing little jobs for the CIA and hoping to get into black ops. On the night he and his girlfriend, Caroline, become engaged, he's told to pick up Charlie Wax at Orly. Charlie is an unorthodox government employee - large, bald and bearded, foul-mouthed and eccentric. Charlie immediately takes James on a wild ride of murder and mayhem, through ethnic enclaves. As bodies pile up, the purpose remains opaque to James. Caroline, unhappy that James has been out of touch for a day, tells him to bring Charlie for dinner. Charlie can be charming - where will it lead? Does the chess-playing James have what it takes?

Another generic action film from producer Luc Besson who as usual just came up with the story and sets it in France.

The film’s action is over the top and one of the tougher characters John Travolta has played where he goes 0 - 60 in a matter of seconds. As he makes his presence felt as soon as he makes his entrance. Which seems to be as the loud ugly American in a more sophisticated and cultured climate. As a ready for action, action oriented cia agent. Who seems almost a parody of an action hero. As he actually feels like a continuation of his character from the movie SWORDFISH. Though at times he shows his tender side. Especially when there is a scene that lets him reference PULP FICTION. He is clearly having fun. As he gets to be no holds barred. Really he is the only thing of note and the main reason to see this film

Though that is where the film goes from being a more light-hearted espionage film into total mayhem. As the film slowly turns into a buddy cop film with the more extreme veteran who teaches the more soft core wet behind the ears agent to be tougher and more aware.

The actions sequences are over the top that they turn a little ridiculous. As they are only plausible if one person knew another thing was going to happen and they perfectly coincide.

The film feels pure 1980’s and misogynistic as all the female roles are either bitchy, whores, or back stabbers and by the end the ultimate enemy and once they are done with the boys feel a little sorry but then bond over who has the bigger gun. So that it seems more like measuring penises.

The villains are even basic terrorists who are muslim and are going about trying to kill diplomats with a bomb. While also being a crime syndicate all over Paris with their hands dipped into all kinds of crime and corruption, where it seems again more like a racial thing as all the good guys are Caucasian and all the villains except one are dark middle easterners. Who seem to just be evil and have no other characteristic.

Jonathan Rhys Myers does adequate in his role as more the straight man who is awakened I to action by his gung ho partner.

I wonder if it is also a french touch to have our heroes sample the cocaine. As usually in American action films. The hero even if an anti-hero rarely does anything that far.

The film knows itself and never tries to be anything less or more.

I don’t exactly understand why after this film director Philip Norel was tapped to make THE HULK. I am guessing as he keeps his action spectacular and fun. While being light-hearted and making it all seem to be in reality though it still feels like a hyper fantasy.

Grade: C