From Paris With Love

Title: From Paris With Love
Director: Pierre Morel
Principle Actors: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, John Travolta

Is this your stereotypical not-by-the-book spy film? Yes and no. Travolta plays the stereotype , Charlie Wax, perfected by Dirty Harry himself, Clint Eastwood. Travolta does it better (I think, since I actually liked the character). What's different about it though is the perspective the director decided to film it from. That's where Rhys Meyers character, James Reece, comes in. He's a fledgling agent, doing little chores for the real agents. He's basically a go-fer. Poor Reece. He finally gets his promotion when Wax comes to town, needing a partner familiar with Paris. Hi-jinx ensue. There's a high body count, explosions, car chases, gun battles, and plot twists. Good times.

I loved the car chase. I also loved the anonymous agent that drove in that particular scene. He played it calm, cool, collected and even had a sense of humor. It was like he was used to dodging in and out of traffic at high speeds with a crazy guy hanging out his passenger window, shouting directions at him. Unfortunately I can't find him listed on the movies page at IMDB.com so I can't even give him proper kudos. However, kudos to you anonymous driver guy.

Onto the acting!



Need I say how awesome Mr. Travolta was? I didn't think so. His badassness was the coolest, funnest, most unpredictable badassness I've seen in a while. I loved his character. He was tough, didn't play by the rules (obviously), was a jackass at times, but he took care of his partner (in a subtle, funny kind of way). He wasn't just another two dimensional stereotype.




Now, I know this picture isn't from this particular movie, but seriously? How could I pass that one up? *shivershivershiver* No shirtless scenes in this movie *sadface*. Rhys Meyers plays a goody goody wanting to get promoted and be a real field agent. He takes it seriously, wanting to follow the rules. But again, his character isn't two dimensional. He learns as he goes through the film. It's fun watching that growth because it's surprising. I'm just not used to seeing character development in an action flick. Meyers does an credible job with the character, although there were a few times where he felt stiff and uncomfortable with his lines. It felt like it was because of the American accent, but it would take a second (or third or fourth) viewing to be sure. Not that I mind *winkwink*.

All in all it is a great action flick. Everything you'd expect and then some. Highly recommended. I know I'll be buying it when it comes out on DVD.