From Paris with Love is a quick paced action film that explores Paris with an eye for destruction. Admittedly a majority of Paris’ landmarks survive but the body count is high. Travolta is wonderfully amazing as Wax, and even slips in a joke referring back to Pulp Fiction that is cheesy, but works. Rhys-Myers keeps up with Travolta, playing the straight face in every scene but never detracting from Travolta’s antics. The film also features a turn by female star Kasia Smutniak as Rhys Meyers’ fiancé.
The technical side of the film is decent. Luc Besson’s productions are always solid in look and pacing. Pierre Morel continues to do what he does best which is direct action scenes. The film’s tightly shot action is quick and powerful, giving Travolta action chops unbeknownst to the world (Just like Liam Neeson in Taken). The cinematography is decent, a bit darker than it needed to be but the film isn’t attempting to stylize itself as a comedy. It is clear that From Paris with Love is an action film.
Lastly the plot is surprisingly solid except for one shaky transition that kick starts the film in an entirely different direction. That said this film is worth seeing if only to get the full scope of Travolta’s characterization of Charlie Wax.
Review by Michael Fusco
