Mao's Last Dancer: Movie Review
Rating: 5/10
Cast: Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle McLachlan, Joan Chen
Director: Bruce Beresford
Based on a memoir by Li Cunxin, Mao's Last Dancer is set in 1970s America and
is the true story of Cunxin's journey from the poverty of China to the opulence
of the West - via stardom.
Told in flashback and starting with Cunxin's youth, it shows the horrors of
living under the Mao regime in China. Li's plucked from a poor school and thrust
into a dance academy where he trains as an apprentice.
However, Li's also given the chance to go on tour - despite concerns from the
communist leaders - and ends up in Houston. Initially he struggles with the
creative - and personal - freedom on show but ends up accepting the lifestyle
and becomes a star.
But things get complicated when Li decides he wants to stay in America - and
the Chinese government foists exile on him when he makes the wrong decision (as
far as they're concerned.)
Mao's Last Dancer is a perfectly fine - if slightly pedestrian - biopic; the
ballet scenes are well done and showcase brilliantly the moves of Chi Cao.
Unfortunately though, it suffers from a couple of slightly ropey performances
from its lead actor - he's not quite strong enough to pull off the role and at
times, it seems a little amateur dramatics; clearly he was chosen for his
incredible ballet skills rather than acting. Plus throw in some quite corny
dialogue here and there, and it's not much of a recipe for success.
That said, Bruce Greenwood (as the director of the theatre company) and Kyle
MacLachlan (as Li's attorney) are solid and provide decent support; but the real
star of Beresford's film is his recreation of communist China in the 70s.
It's horrifying, repugnant and shows exactly why the regime was so detested -
and thanks to Beresford's restraint in not exploiting it, it feels real. In one
of Li's nightmares, he sees his family paraded and shot - it's so wonderfully
underplayed and evocative that it's an image which resonates long after the
film's over.
Ultimately Mao's Last Dancer aims for inspirational and sadly falls a little
short - while it's a well intentioned true story, it doesn't soar as much on the
screen as perhaps it should have done.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Remember Me: Movie Review
Remember Me: Movie Review
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin, Chris Cooper
Director: Allen Coulter
Ladies, catch your breath - in between his time sparkling as a vampire, R Patz returns to the screen in this romantic drama.
He's Tyler, a rebellious student in New York in 2001, who's got a strained relationship with his lawyer dad (an aloof and emotionally hard Pierce Brosnan) ever since his brother committed suicide.
Tyler is a bit of a closed book drifter, a one night stands kind of guy who won't emotionally open up - but that all changes when a twist of fate brings him to Ally (Lost's Emilie de Ravin).
Ally too is emotionally damaged - having seen her mom murdered on the subway when she was 11, she isn't initially too keen to let Tyler into her life.
But the pair's paths are intertwined and fate has a way of playing these things out.
Both Pattinson and de Ravin are perfectly cast in Remember Me, an aching, yearning film about love - there's broodiness aplenty and inevitable family dramas and a sprinkling of The Taming of The Shrew - but what Remember Me does have is a way of subverting your expectations.
Sure it's a clichéd relationship - Ally's dad, a cop (the ever wonderful Chris Cooper) isn't impressed and Tyler's dad is emotionally stunted from the rest of the family - but it's the central performances from de Ravin and Pattinson which give this film flight and takes it away from your usual brooding young love and aching hearts kind of film.
Granted there are familiar familial patterns playing out here - the family drama on all sides is nothing new and there's more than a few predictable moments as the end approaches.
Some will argue Pattinson's just putting in another brooding performance a la Edward Cullen (ie slightly aloof) but that's unfair to RPatz - whose restrained screen presence gradually unpeels and reveals several layers. It's clear he's destined for a shelf life beyond the ole vamp, and thanks to de Ravin's emotionally rich performance, the pair sizzle on screen.
But it's the rich ending of Remember Me which emotionally shocks you by knocking the wind out of your cinematic sails - it's unexpected, powerful and may well leave you agog. (But you won't find me discussing it here).
Remember Me is an intriguing relationship drama which will have RPatz's fans both drooling and more in love with him than ever before - but its ending will polarise the audience; however sometimes, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Lena Olin, Chris Cooper
Director: Allen Coulter
Ladies, catch your breath - in between his time sparkling as a vampire, R Patz returns to the screen in this romantic drama.
He's Tyler, a rebellious student in New York in 2001, who's got a strained relationship with his lawyer dad (an aloof and emotionally hard Pierce Brosnan) ever since his brother committed suicide.
Tyler is a bit of a closed book drifter, a one night stands kind of guy who won't emotionally open up - but that all changes when a twist of fate brings him to Ally (Lost's Emilie de Ravin).
Ally too is emotionally damaged - having seen her mom murdered on the subway when she was 11, she isn't initially too keen to let Tyler into her life.
But the pair's paths are intertwined and fate has a way of playing these things out.
Both Pattinson and de Ravin are perfectly cast in Remember Me, an aching, yearning film about love - there's broodiness aplenty and inevitable family dramas and a sprinkling of The Taming of The Shrew - but what Remember Me does have is a way of subverting your expectations.
Sure it's a clichéd relationship - Ally's dad, a cop (the ever wonderful Chris Cooper) isn't impressed and Tyler's dad is emotionally stunted from the rest of the family - but it's the central performances from de Ravin and Pattinson which give this film flight and takes it away from your usual brooding young love and aching hearts kind of film.
Granted there are familiar familial patterns playing out here - the family drama on all sides is nothing new and there's more than a few predictable moments as the end approaches.
Some will argue Pattinson's just putting in another brooding performance a la Edward Cullen (ie slightly aloof) but that's unfair to RPatz - whose restrained screen presence gradually unpeels and reveals several layers. It's clear he's destined for a shelf life beyond the ole vamp, and thanks to de Ravin's emotionally rich performance, the pair sizzle on screen.
But it's the rich ending of Remember Me which emotionally shocks you by knocking the wind out of your cinematic sails - it's unexpected, powerful and may well leave you agog. (But you won't find me discussing it here).
Remember Me is an intriguing relationship drama which will have RPatz's fans both drooling and more in love with him than ever before - but its ending will polarise the audience; however sometimes, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This Way Of Life: Movie Review
This Way Of Life: Movie Review
Rating: 8/10
Cast: The Karena Family, The great NZ outdoors, horses
Director: Tom Burstyn
A New Zealand doco about a family who live life to the full in the wilds of the countryside may not sound like a riveting watch but This Way of Life sure as hell is.
It's the story of the Karena family - husband Peter and wife Colleen and their six children, and their horses.
But it's also about more than that - it's about a simplicity of life and a recognition of one's place in the world.
Peter works as a horse whisperer and lives off the land - when we first meet him, he's skinning a deer in front of his son Malachi and educating him on how the animal died so they can live.
Although Peter appears to have a philosophy about the world, it's clear not everyone shares his views - within moments of meeting them, we learn that Peter's father is evicting them from the family home because he's selling up. Things get worse for the ever growing Karena family - but over the course of 85 minutes you won't find your spirit crushed at all.
In fact it's just the opposite.
Simply shot and presented in a restrained way, This Way Of Life will stun you with its subtlety, honesty and heart.
As Peter continues to face problems, it's his philosophy and attitude which he's trying to instill in his children which will shine out - Peter's a glass half full kind of guy - and while he's honest about the issues he faces with his father, there's never any doubt that he won't let adversity crush both him and his loved ones. It's hard not to look upto Peter and learn from him - clearly this is a man whose life attitude is beneficial and infectious to all those around him.
And the kids clearly soar because of this attitude - I've never seen such a brood of children so happy in their simple life; there's no sign of any mod cons and yet there's not one single complaint as these kids are overjoyed by the simplicity of nature (either on horse back or jumping on the roof of their truck)
It's the Karena family way - the respect for nature, the chance to live off the land and the lack of fear which will inspire you - whether it's living in a shed after the house is burned down or bareback horse riding without helmets, you can't help but admire their way of life (and even eye it up a little jealously).
This Way Of Life is a celebration of the family codes and morals; beautifully shot, it shows what's great about the New Zealand countryside and showcases a side of life - and an attitude - which makes your heart sing.
While some of the story's narrative leaves you wanting more information and you may get a little frustrated with a lack of context over family rows, overall it's easy to see why the film has been so lauded abroad in Berlin and deserves to do well over here.
However - you may get a little jealous and be tempted to quit the rat race after seeing the simpler life the Karenas live..
Rating: 8/10
Cast: The Karena Family, The great NZ outdoors, horses
Director: Tom Burstyn
A New Zealand doco about a family who live life to the full in the wilds of the countryside may not sound like a riveting watch but This Way of Life sure as hell is.
It's the story of the Karena family - husband Peter and wife Colleen and their six children, and their horses.
But it's also about more than that - it's about a simplicity of life and a recognition of one's place in the world.
Peter works as a horse whisperer and lives off the land - when we first meet him, he's skinning a deer in front of his son Malachi and educating him on how the animal died so they can live.
Although Peter appears to have a philosophy about the world, it's clear not everyone shares his views - within moments of meeting them, we learn that Peter's father is evicting them from the family home because he's selling up. Things get worse for the ever growing Karena family - but over the course of 85 minutes you won't find your spirit crushed at all.
In fact it's just the opposite.
Simply shot and presented in a restrained way, This Way Of Life will stun you with its subtlety, honesty and heart.
As Peter continues to face problems, it's his philosophy and attitude which he's trying to instill in his children which will shine out - Peter's a glass half full kind of guy - and while he's honest about the issues he faces with his father, there's never any doubt that he won't let adversity crush both him and his loved ones. It's hard not to look upto Peter and learn from him - clearly this is a man whose life attitude is beneficial and infectious to all those around him.
And the kids clearly soar because of this attitude - I've never seen such a brood of children so happy in their simple life; there's no sign of any mod cons and yet there's not one single complaint as these kids are overjoyed by the simplicity of nature (either on horse back or jumping on the roof of their truck)
It's the Karena family way - the respect for nature, the chance to live off the land and the lack of fear which will inspire you - whether it's living in a shed after the house is burned down or bareback horse riding without helmets, you can't help but admire their way of life (and even eye it up a little jealously).
This Way Of Life is a celebration of the family codes and morals; beautifully shot, it shows what's great about the New Zealand countryside and showcases a side of life - and an attitude - which makes your heart sing.
While some of the story's narrative leaves you wanting more information and you may get a little frustrated with a lack of context over family rows, overall it's easy to see why the film has been so lauded abroad in Berlin and deserves to do well over here.
However - you may get a little jealous and be tempted to quit the rat race after seeing the simpler life the Karenas live..
Thursday, 4 March 2010
The Hurt Locker: Movie Review
The Hurt Locker: Movie Review
Rating: 9/10
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Finally arriving on New Zealand shores after numerous successes at various awards ceremonies, is The Hurt Locker, the front runner for success at the 2010 Oscars.
It's the story of a team of bomb disposal team in Iraq whose lives are put in constant jeopardy on a daily basis - and is based on freelance journalist Mark Boal's accounts of when he was embedded with an American bomb squad.
In a cracking turn, Jeremy Renner plays Sergeant First Class William James, who's brought in as the leader of the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit which heads to just about every perilous situation on the streets of Iraq, never knowing if this is the moment their lives will be forfeit.
James works with Anthony Mackie's Sergeant Sanborn and Brian Geraghty's Specialist Eldridge - and they form an uneasy bond, often fighting off the scene and cool and collected when called out; however, it's not plain sailing for the trio when it becomes clear that James isn't averse to taking risks and avoiding protocol.
But what will be the price of his behaviour to the EOD unit?
The Hurt Locker arrives with heavy expectation - and doesn't disappoint in the slightest. From the moment the film opens, you're thrown straight into the middle of it all. Within seconds, The Hurt Locker grips you in its adrenalin vice and doesn't let go.
Director Kathryn Bigelow's crafted an excellent low budget film which captures the grittiness, the horror and the heart in your mouth moment that the troops in Iraq must face; sure, you can argue that the entire film is simply made up of one set piece after another as we follow the EOD unit, but there is a narrative thread which links it together.
Where The Hurt Locker also triumphs - aside from Renner's simply mesmerising turn as Sergeant James - is the fact the leads are unknowns; a film such as this one rises and falls on expectations and the use of relative newcomers to the lead roles means you're never quite sure who will survive when they head to each call out. At times, it's heart in your mouth cinema which will blow you away in more ways than one (apologies - pun intended).
Emotionally gripping, viscerally thrilling, and an edge of your seat powderkeg of tension, The Hurt Locker remains one of the best films of the year (something which the number of awards it's received only serves to cement). Packed full of moments that will shock and awe you, The Hurt Locker is essential viewing.
Rating: 9/10
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Finally arriving on New Zealand shores after numerous successes at various awards ceremonies, is The Hurt Locker, the front runner for success at the 2010 Oscars.
It's the story of a team of bomb disposal team in Iraq whose lives are put in constant jeopardy on a daily basis - and is based on freelance journalist Mark Boal's accounts of when he was embedded with an American bomb squad.
In a cracking turn, Jeremy Renner plays Sergeant First Class William James, who's brought in as the leader of the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit which heads to just about every perilous situation on the streets of Iraq, never knowing if this is the moment their lives will be forfeit.
James works with Anthony Mackie's Sergeant Sanborn and Brian Geraghty's Specialist Eldridge - and they form an uneasy bond, often fighting off the scene and cool and collected when called out; however, it's not plain sailing for the trio when it becomes clear that James isn't averse to taking risks and avoiding protocol.
But what will be the price of his behaviour to the EOD unit?
The Hurt Locker arrives with heavy expectation - and doesn't disappoint in the slightest. From the moment the film opens, you're thrown straight into the middle of it all. Within seconds, The Hurt Locker grips you in its adrenalin vice and doesn't let go.
Director Kathryn Bigelow's crafted an excellent low budget film which captures the grittiness, the horror and the heart in your mouth moment that the troops in Iraq must face; sure, you can argue that the entire film is simply made up of one set piece after another as we follow the EOD unit, but there is a narrative thread which links it together.
Where The Hurt Locker also triumphs - aside from Renner's simply mesmerising turn as Sergeant James - is the fact the leads are unknowns; a film such as this one rises and falls on expectations and the use of relative newcomers to the lead roles means you're never quite sure who will survive when they head to each call out. At times, it's heart in your mouth cinema which will blow you away in more ways than one (apologies - pun intended).
Emotionally gripping, viscerally thrilling, and an edge of your seat powderkeg of tension, The Hurt Locker remains one of the best films of the year (something which the number of awards it's received only serves to cement). Packed full of moments that will shock and awe you, The Hurt Locker is essential viewing.
Alice In Wonderland: Movie Review
Alice In Wonderland: Movie Review
Alice In Wonderland
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Anne Hathaway, Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas, Crispin Glover, Mia Wasikowska
Director: Tim Burton
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton reteam once again - this time it's for an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland.
Mia Wasikowska is 19 year old Alice, a girl who's facing the possibility of being married off to a man she doesn't love and on the verge of enduring a life she really doesn't want.
As she runs off to consider the proposal, she falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland.
However, on her entrance to Wonderland, she finds she has a destiny to fulfill - she must free the land from the tyranny of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham-Carter) and restore happiness to the land she visited as a child in her dreams.
But with the Red Queen on the war path, and the evil Jabberwocky to be unleashed, it looks like Alice really has her work cut out.
Well, Alice In Wonderland is clearly a Tim Burton film - once again, he's reteamed with two of his muses; Johnny Depp onscreen and with composer Danny Elfman. It's also full of the trademark Gothic landscapes and oddball imagery.
Mia Wasikowska is slightly aloof and stifled at the start of the film - which in some ways is befitting as her character clearly doesn't fit into Victorian ways of life; but it makes it hard to feel much for her in the early stages of the film. She's also not the strongest actress it has to be said - her re-emergence at the end from the rabbit hole and re-entrance into society isn't quite as powerful as you'd expect from one who's undergone such a journey.
Johnny Depp is unhinged and ever so slightly sinister as the Mad Hatter, flitting from English and Scottish accents for reasons which don't quite seem obvious - but he makes the Hatter a bit of a crazy zany character - once again, it's another oddball performance for Depp and one which is perfectly suited for the continuing Burton/ Depp partnership.
Stephen Fry is wonderful as the Cheshire cat - thanks to his mellifluous tones, the Cat is a real treat in the film as the wisp-like creature wafts in and out; and it has to be said the star of the film is clearly the CGI and the Wonderland world itself.
Burton's created a nightmarish version of Wonderland - full of odd colours and architecture which seems perfectly in tune with his vision; there's some great images - such as Alice negotiating a raft of heads the Red Queen's had cut off and cast in the moat around her castle. It seems as if technology's finally got to give Burton the chance to create the vision he's always hinted at in previous films - and he's relished the opportunity to create a memorable Wonderland.
Ultimately, this Alice In Wonderland is an insight into Burton's mind - it's zany and visually crazy in parts; however, due to a bit of a lack of an emotional connection, it's a little bit sprawling at times and doesn't quite live upto its initial promise.
Alice In Wonderland
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Anne Hathaway, Stephen Fry, Matt Lucas, Crispin Glover, Mia Wasikowska
Director: Tim Burton
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton reteam once again - this time it's for an adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland.
Mia Wasikowska is 19 year old Alice, a girl who's facing the possibility of being married off to a man she doesn't love and on the verge of enduring a life she really doesn't want.
As she runs off to consider the proposal, she falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in Wonderland.
However, on her entrance to Wonderland, she finds she has a destiny to fulfill - she must free the land from the tyranny of the Red Queen (Helena Bonham-Carter) and restore happiness to the land she visited as a child in her dreams.
But with the Red Queen on the war path, and the evil Jabberwocky to be unleashed, it looks like Alice really has her work cut out.
Well, Alice In Wonderland is clearly a Tim Burton film - once again, he's reteamed with two of his muses; Johnny Depp onscreen and with composer Danny Elfman. It's also full of the trademark Gothic landscapes and oddball imagery.
Mia Wasikowska is slightly aloof and stifled at the start of the film - which in some ways is befitting as her character clearly doesn't fit into Victorian ways of life; but it makes it hard to feel much for her in the early stages of the film. She's also not the strongest actress it has to be said - her re-emergence at the end from the rabbit hole and re-entrance into society isn't quite as powerful as you'd expect from one who's undergone such a journey.
Johnny Depp is unhinged and ever so slightly sinister as the Mad Hatter, flitting from English and Scottish accents for reasons which don't quite seem obvious - but he makes the Hatter a bit of a crazy zany character - once again, it's another oddball performance for Depp and one which is perfectly suited for the continuing Burton/ Depp partnership.
Stephen Fry is wonderful as the Cheshire cat - thanks to his mellifluous tones, the Cat is a real treat in the film as the wisp-like creature wafts in and out; and it has to be said the star of the film is clearly the CGI and the Wonderland world itself.
Burton's created a nightmarish version of Wonderland - full of odd colours and architecture which seems perfectly in tune with his vision; there's some great images - such as Alice negotiating a raft of heads the Red Queen's had cut off and cast in the moat around her castle. It seems as if technology's finally got to give Burton the chance to create the vision he's always hinted at in previous films - and he's relished the opportunity to create a memorable Wonderland.
Ultimately, this Alice In Wonderland is an insight into Burton's mind - it's zany and visually crazy in parts; however, due to a bit of a lack of an emotional connection, it's a little bit sprawling at times and doesn't quite live upto its initial promise.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Adventureland: DVD Review
Adventureland: DVD Review
Adventureland
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, Ryan Reynolds
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Jesse Eisenberg (who appeared in the fantastic Zombieland) stars as James whose 1980s college plans are scuppered by his father's loss of job.
Faced with the option to abandon his plans for college, James ends up taking a job at a local fairground to try and scrape together the cash. However, it's not really about the money after he falls for fellow carny, Emily (Twilight's Kristen Stewart).
Only she's not as available as he thinks because she's wrapped up with an older man (Ryan Reynolds)&but that doesn't stop James falling hard.
Ah the American coming of age film - it is in its own rights becoming a rites of passage for movie makers. Adventureland is from Greg Mottola who did Superbad - although the humour is of a more subtle and wistful nature in this release.
Adventureland is great fun -wrapped full of humourous well timed lines and pitch perfect performances (including Bill Hader as the carny boss complete with horrendous tache). It's a nod back to the 80s and despite the somewhat tired out genre, Adventureland is a welcome entry - it's fresh, amusing and strangely recognisable.
A soon to be cult classic is tempered only by the relative lack of extras.
Rating: 7/10
Adventureland
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Bill Hader, Ryan Reynolds
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Jesse Eisenberg (who appeared in the fantastic Zombieland) stars as James whose 1980s college plans are scuppered by his father's loss of job.
Faced with the option to abandon his plans for college, James ends up taking a job at a local fairground to try and scrape together the cash. However, it's not really about the money after he falls for fellow carny, Emily (Twilight's Kristen Stewart).
Only she's not as available as he thinks because she's wrapped up with an older man (Ryan Reynolds)&but that doesn't stop James falling hard.
Ah the American coming of age film - it is in its own rights becoming a rites of passage for movie makers. Adventureland is from Greg Mottola who did Superbad - although the humour is of a more subtle and wistful nature in this release.
Adventureland is great fun -wrapped full of humourous well timed lines and pitch perfect performances (including Bill Hader as the carny boss complete with horrendous tache). It's a nod back to the 80s and despite the somewhat tired out genre, Adventureland is a welcome entry - it's fresh, amusing and strangely recognisable.
A soon to be cult classic is tempered only by the relative lack of extras.
Rating: 7/10
Friday, 26 February 2010
From Paris With Love: Movie Review
From Paris With Love: Movie Review
From Paris With Love
Rating: 6/10
Cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Director: Pierre Morel
From a story by Luc Besson and from the director who made Liam Neeson an action man in Taken comes From Paris With Love.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as James Reece, a young employee of the US ambassador in France. With his 1920s style spiv like moustache and slightly uptight attitude, Reece is a model employee, deeply in love with his girlfriend Caroline and when his country calls him a bit of a rookie spy.
Except he's a bottom of the ladder kind of spy - the sort who will change number plates. And he yearns to play a bigger role in the espionage world.
He's given that chance - enter John Travolta's dome headed slightly unhinged Charlie Wax who's an operative with the CIA and in France to try and stop a terrorist attack.
But given these two are polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes and Reece finds himself in a world he never imagined he'd be part of.
What do you say about From Paris With Love? With its tagline, Two agents, One City, no Merci, explosions, gunfights and beatings set to heavy metal, let's be clear this isn't rocket science - or a film you particularly need to concentrate on the plot of (although you do have to keep up).
But against the odds it emerges as a fairly disposable piece of Friday night cinematic action - with Travolta pumped up on energy, cheesy lines (Wax on, wax off) and Rhys Meyers' nicely opposite uptight approach, you end up feeling like you're watching the start of a franchise set of films.
There's plenty of car chases, plenty of explosions and plenty of people being violently shot and hurled across the room but it's thanks to the sparkle and crackle chemistry between the two leads, that it's relatively enjoyable fun. Director Morel brings the same level of energy to the action scenes as he demonstrated in Taken, lending the whole piece with a slick choreographed feel.
To be honest, it's a decent partnership the pair create - and I'm sure a sequel to From Paris With Love (From LA with Love perhaps) won't be too far away.
Oh and it's worth it for just one moment - to see John Travolta finally get that burger he talked about in Pulp Fiction all those years ago....
From Paris With Love
Rating: 6/10
Cast: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Director: Pierre Morel
From a story by Luc Besson and from the director who made Liam Neeson an action man in Taken comes From Paris With Love.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as James Reece, a young employee of the US ambassador in France. With his 1920s style spiv like moustache and slightly uptight attitude, Reece is a model employee, deeply in love with his girlfriend Caroline and when his country calls him a bit of a rookie spy.
Except he's a bottom of the ladder kind of spy - the sort who will change number plates. And he yearns to play a bigger role in the espionage world.
He's given that chance - enter John Travolta's dome headed slightly unhinged Charlie Wax who's an operative with the CIA and in France to try and stop a terrorist attack.
But given these two are polar ends of the spectrum when it comes to attitudes and Reece finds himself in a world he never imagined he'd be part of.
What do you say about From Paris With Love? With its tagline, Two agents, One City, no Merci, explosions, gunfights and beatings set to heavy metal, let's be clear this isn't rocket science - or a film you particularly need to concentrate on the plot of (although you do have to keep up).
But against the odds it emerges as a fairly disposable piece of Friday night cinematic action - with Travolta pumped up on energy, cheesy lines (Wax on, wax off) and Rhys Meyers' nicely opposite uptight approach, you end up feeling like you're watching the start of a franchise set of films.
There's plenty of car chases, plenty of explosions and plenty of people being violently shot and hurled across the room but it's thanks to the sparkle and crackle chemistry between the two leads, that it's relatively enjoyable fun. Director Morel brings the same level of energy to the action scenes as he demonstrated in Taken, lending the whole piece with a slick choreographed feel.
To be honest, it's a decent partnership the pair create - and I'm sure a sequel to From Paris With Love (From LA with Love perhaps) won't be too far away.
Oh and it's worth it for just one moment - to see John Travolta finally get that burger he talked about in Pulp Fiction all those years ago....
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