From Paris with Love

So here’s the basic premise, James Reece (Meyers) is a young dude working in the American embassy as a personal aide to U.S. Ambassador in France but longs to be more. Even though it’s a good job and he has a got girlfriend he also wants to be a spy. He has already started the process with small time errands for the CIA, but then a real chance to ‘prove himself’ comes along when he asked to assist the legendary Charlie Wax (Travolta). As diplomacy gives way to direct action, the surrounding body count rises somewhat exponentially as the cocky Wax demonstrates to his younger protégé how things really get done.

From the first moment we see Meyers arrive on screen he looks like a cross between an accountant and a 1920’s cinematic villain. Whereas Travolta looks and acts like he has stumbled into a role that was written for Bruce Willis. The trigger-happy, wisecracking seemingly out of control front that covers up the calculating complex mind of a spy. The partnership of the thinker and the fighter makes great on-screen chemistry and the constant role reversal draws you into the action. Oh and there is a lot of action in this film. Not only do the bodies pile up but they also start falling from above. 

It is obvious in its style and construction that From Paris with Love reunites the team that brought us Taken. Being written and produced by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Transporter and The Professional) and directed by Pierre Morel. The only difference being the swapping of dramatic intensity in Taken to that of comedic dialogue and action.

I really enjoyed this film which was a bit of a surprise as based on the trailer I had low expectations for it. Instead the story flowed along at an adequate pace, loosely joining the moments of good belly laughs and high octane action sequences.

FILMGUIDE rating:

Reviewed by: Jon E Clist
Release date: August 25th, 2010
Stars: John Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Length (Minutes): 92
Aspect Ratio: 1.78 : 1
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Supported Audio: Dolby Digital Surround 5.1
Director: Morel, Pierre
Studio: Sony Pictures