From Paris with Love (2010)

Fabulous film - Travolta is outstanding as is Rhys Myers! Loads of twists and turns, car chases and explosions.Every now and then you need a film that is just excitement and entertainment without the need to think too much and this fits the bill perfectly. Added to that it has been very well executed unlike many films of this genre with a great performance by John Travolta playing it completely over the top and stealing the film. Some reviewers have compared it to the 'Die hard' series but I thought it was more like 'Transporter'. This isn't the sort of film for viewers who like to find some depth of meaning but is perfect for a boy's night in when the football's finished, enjoy.

Awesome. Action packed. Blood. Guns. Car chases. These are just the main points added with a fast flowing movie, good story and first class acting for this movie cant be anything less than a 5/5. The plot is as fast moving as the car chases and the plot develops from one into another to a dramatic conclusion. Saying much more about this movie would include spoilers, so enough said. Just watch.Cool, Slick, Fast Paced, Funny, with a truck load of Killing and vase full of Coke!! Oh and a 10 year old pointing a gun in your face!!If you don't like any of that, this movie is rubbish, if you do, then its too cool for school!!In the end, sometimes, doing what is necessary, not what is morally and emotionally right, is the only way to get the job done!!

From producer/writer Luc Besson comes another action movie with American leads set in Paris, and while it is largely competent from a technical standpoint, there are some jarring tonal shifts which may not sit right with everyone. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays James Reese, the personal assistant of the American diplomat in Paris. He's excellent at his job, but he longs for a more exciting life as a spy. Enter Charlie Wax (John Travolta), who is everything the straight-laced Reese isn't: first and foremost an actual secret agent, and in general a rather aggressive personality. The two of them team up to finish a job, and prove to Reese's boss that he can cut it as a "member of the club."From the first few frames, it was clear that this would be a well-shot movie (from Pierre Morel, who also directed TAKEN), but upon hearing Jonathan Rhys Meyers open his mouth I lost a lot of hope that it would be a well-acted one. He was uninspiring and uncharismatic in the worst way possible. Thankfully, John Travolta showed up to chew the scenery and add some life into what was essentially a bargain-basement spy thriller with great production values. Even though it seemed like he was in a completely different movie, his presence lightened the mood a little bit, even if he didn't really have much chemistry with Meyers. If there's one saving grace about this film, other than having technically proficient action and good cinematography, it was Travolta.Pausing a moment to discuss the plot, I thought that it was rather formulaic and rote in its approach to this rather overdone genre. I get that the title is a sort-of nod to James Bond, but this can't hold a candle to that franchise. Not only that, but the plot didn't make much sense either, and character motivation was either muddled or non-existent, particularly with a third act twist which reveals who the true villain is. Even though this is an over-the-top action movie with elements that are a bit removed from reality, the least they could have done was to try and make it somewhat coherent.However, despite all of the shortcomings there are enough elements in the film to give it a loose recommendation. John Travolta is truly awesome in his role as the fast-talking secret agent with an itchy trigger finger and a warped sense of humor. There are also a number of well-executed action and fight sequences which don't hold back in terms of what they show (as opposed to something like TAKEN). Pierre Morel is a master behind the camera, and it shows. Also, since this movie is set in Paris and stars John Travolta, they go for an easy (but still funny) Pulp Fiction joke. Overall, fans of mindless action should find a lot to enjoy here, while everyone else would be better served watching a Bond film or checking out one of Luc Besson's other, better productions.

Let's face it, films are supposed to be fun and not to be taken too seriously. From Paris With Love hits both these nails right on the head. This film is amazingly good fun; totally over the top and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. You can't take it seriously, so don't try. Yes, it's far from perfect and everything in it has been done before (and better), but it doesn't matter. It's still a lot of fun, if nothing else. John Travolta's performance is just fantastic, taking center stage from the minute he appears on screen. He apparently enjoyed himself so much during the making of this film (and it's quite obvious) that he wanted to make a sequel, which, unfortunately never materialised since the film wasn't the success everyone had hoped. Personally, I think that's a real shame since you have the potential for a fantastic fun action franchise here (no doubt, that's what the writers and producers originally had in mind), and, I for one, would have loved to see Travolta and Rhys Meyers in a few more instalments.There are a couple of things, however, that should be mentioned about this film. From Paris With Love is a collaboration of director Pierre Morel and writer Luc Besson, as is Taken with Liam Neeson. Taken is undoubtedly the better film, but From Paris With Love is more fun. Because of this Taken and From Paris With Love are very very similar. The first 30 minutes of both films can easily be skipped without missing anything fun or, indeed, relevant to the film. Just go straight to Charlie Wax sitting in the airport, and in Taken to the part where Liam Neeson knocks on his ex-wife's door to tell her and her new partner that their daughter has been taken. Everything before that is almost pointless.Secondly, both films have what would outside of France be called 'racist undertones'. Something you will also find in Taken in equal measures. They are subtle, but they're there. If you have been to France for any length of time you will know that the French's attitude to what would elsewhere be called racism is still somewhat different from most other European countries, without wanting to go into too much detail. Something to be aware of. If you can live with this potentially slightly more serious aspect, and your remote works, then just go for it. One of the most fun hours you will have had for some time.