You’re off to a bad start when the title for your latest John Travolta starring blockbuster is a play on one of James Bond’s more reserved offerings.
From Paris With Love is another movie from the Luc Besson production line (story credit obligatory), this time involving some secret agents, terrorist plots and John Travolta looking like something Marlon Brando ate.
At its core, it’s a continuation of his character from The Taking of Pelham 123 (except playing for the other side now)?still unhinged, erratic and clearly having a ball. It’s the most fun he’s been on screen for quite a while.
The story focuses on bleary-eyed Oirishman, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, an undercover CIA agent hoping to make it big in the agency. While not the most likeable of actors, it’s an unsure start for Meyers’ Reece, living an idyllic life with a?perfect girlfriend.
When Travolta’s Charlie Wax comes along as his partner, it shakes things up a bit, reducing Meyers?to nothing?more than a?straightman to Wax’s antics. He’s an audience’s way?in that’s serviceable to the plot, which in itself is a maze that there’s no point getting lost in.
Moles, drug lords, terrorists, it all seems too baffling incoherent to take seriously, so the action takes precedence. The variety of boom is engaging, a decent freeway scene, gun fights and Travolta throwing his weight around. Taken director Pierre Morel clearly has one of the best eyes for action, just not for characters.
It’s a worrying trait, considering that he’ll next be helming the Dune adaptation – a story that remains closely tight to many a geek?s heart. Not that this is solid evidence to go on, it’s a buddy-cop movie after all. One moment the duo are bickering about some semantics, then next they’re blowing up a group of drug dealers in a car. It’s not quite Lethal Weapon but it follows the formula: unhinged, borderline psychotic cop is paired with by-the-book do-right.
It doesn’t grow tired, though, pacing along so that anything inconsequential like characterisation, subtlety and plot are unneeded. This is pure popcorn action entertainment, delivered with a sprinkling of star power and an eye-catching backdrop – what better place to fire a rocket launcher than in the heart of Paris?
The film isn’t trying to be the super-sleuth of the new generation. It isn’t concerned with cunning gadgets, sharp suits and gorgeous women, this is about firepower, stunts and a central conceit built around fun. This shouldn’t be From Paris with Love; it’s more like Casino Royale with Cheese.
‘Spray Rating: 3/5
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