Banlieue 13 (District B13) (2004)

After seeing Taken, I checked out Pierre Morel's other film District B13, which was highly recommended by my associate. Set in a not-so-distant future in which certain areas of Paris have been sealed off by the government so that their slums and gang violence won't affect the rest of the population, the story is a high-intensity revenge tale with some great characters. David Belle, the guy who helped invent parkour and looks like a French Dustin Hoffman, plays Leïto, a pacifistic, anti-drug gang leader who's stolen and disposed of a whole lot of heroin belonging to rival leader Taha (Bibi Naceri). Taha's followers take down Leito's men, but he escapes due to his awesome parkour skills."

They kidnap his sister Lola (Dany Verissimo) to lure him to their headquarters, but Leito just ends up in prison after the cops decide to pull out of the district all together. When Taha intercepts the transportation of a powerful bomb set to go off in 24 hours, Leito is busted out of jail by Damien (Cyril Raffaelli), a cop assigned to infiltrate District 13 and stop the explosion. Though initially at odds, the two men help each other save Lola from Taha, save the region from destruction, and kick a large number of asses in the process.

You guys, this movie is so awesome. For real. It's one of the best action movies I've seen. The multiple chase scenes are incredibly fluid and thrilling, and the fights are interesting and very well-choreographed. The story takes about 10 minutes to get going, and then it never lets up. The characters are smooth and fun to watch, and the script fits some pretty funny dialogue within the fast-paced plot. The vaguely futuristic setting is really cool, and used to its full potential thanks to Belle's inventive urban maneuvering. Also: Belle is shirtless for like 95% of this movie. I am ok with that.

I was a little disappointed in the Lola character. She starts off as really badass and intriguing but then she barely has anything to do after her introduction. I know she's not a main role, but it seemed weird to make her so rad without giving her more action than "lady is kidnapped and force-fed heroin". Come on, Luc Besson, write a good female action role again!

Anyway, seriously, District B13 is amazing: action-packed and thrilling, with a good story and characters and innovative action scenes. See it if you like to have fun, ever.

4.5/5