Forget car chases

[keveh]

whatever happened to chasing people on foot?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaHHWmwn5dM[/youtube]

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Pah - what was that rope doing there?!

[CrazyHorse]

Quality. But why didn't they just shoot the beggar?

[Montreal Wanderer]

I can't understand how they were always so close behind him. Our cops would have lost him in the first five seconds.

[TANGODANCER]

Reminds me of Danny the dog fro the film "Unleashed".

[laz]

Reminds me of Danny the dog fro the film "Unleashed".

Quality Film! Looked bit painful for guy who flew out of window and landed on car

[Kylofski]

From the new film District 13

The place : France.

The time : after 2010.

The plot : The French government has erected giant walls around the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods. Inside these walls its a veritable jungle, with the strongest (and ofter most corrupt) ruling.

This is the directorial debut of Pierre Morel. He has worked as the cinematographer on Danny the Dog (a.k.a. Unleashed) and the Transporter. If the this movie gives you a sense of deja vu, don't worry just flow with it.

The movie follows the recent Ong Bak trend of action movies in that there is very little plot or a somewhat lacking storyline but is compensated for by bone crunching and realistic action/athletic sequences, albeit in this case with a French flavor.

After the opening "fly through" of the barrio we get a glimpse at one of the protagonists, Leito (David Belle). Leito is a neighborhood kid who does a good impersonation of Daredevil (minus the blindness, white stick or red outfit). While surround by crime, Leito manages to keep honest and actually fights back against the neighborhood drug lord, Taha.

This is the first 20 minutes of the movie, and it was simply awesome. David Belle is co-founder of a sport called Parkour. It is some Euro-Asian fusion of martial arts and running. There was a Nike commercial (?? - it was definitely a sneaker ad) where this man kept jumping off of random things. The whole point was he didn't stop, no matter what was in his way. It seems to be some improvisational running, where you figure out ways to get around things. This opening sequence involves a lot of running at full speed and some fighting inside, outside and on top of an apartment building. The pace for the sequence is fast and awe-inspiring.

We are then transported 6 months into the future, where we are introduced to our second protagonist, Damien (Cyril Raffaelli). Damien is the decorated, "straight as an arrow" cop. He follows order and does whatever is necessary (within the law) to get the job done. Damien's 20 minute introduction takes place in an illegal casino. This is the actual sequence that reminds me the most of Ong Bak (the mêlée combat). It has a similar style (of course without Tony Jaa's proficiency), complete with the bone-wrenching "oomphs". Cyril may seem familiar to fans of the action genre. He has been in numerous actions flicks as well, staring in Kiss of the Dragon and as a stunt man in the Transporter and Brotherhood of the Wolf.

The first two sections of the movie contain the character development, while the last section handling the plot. A new type of bomb has been stolen. It has a 24 hour detonation timer on it that is activated once the case is opened. Damien is sent in to defuse it (namely to enter a code that defuses the already active bomb). The bomb is somewhere in B13 and Leito is "volunteered" to be his guide.

The movie was definitely enjoyable, yet lacking much of a story or a finale. I was reminded of Ong Bak and especially of the Transporter. These movies (along with B13) seem to have a rather simplistic finale. The world is a generally good place where a few bad apples take advantage of the good. Most of the time, the good simply do not know the "bad people" exist. They just need someone to tell them and then collectively the good "do the right thing" (which is always done through lawful and sometimes legislative means). There are other movies (like most of Jackie Chan's movies) that have similar endings. This is not so much a criticism as an observation.

There were some scenes that made me go "huh".

Why does everyone have their names on the doors ? I'm sure each of the characters probably also have their names sewn into their boxers. I did enjoy Taha's Tony Montana impression. It was quite a funny scene. Lastly, I would have liked a more extended fight scene with Yeti, but otherwise, was a good sequence. Outside of the action sequences, there were some instances of gun-play. This was definitely not John Woo, but I was reminded of the Professional (Besson does have writing credits).

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced action, buddy movie (reminded me of 48 Hours or Rush Hour - except without the comical cop/con routine). I highly recommend this movie for action fans.

[Dr.Karl]

Parkour is absolutely incredible, if you thought that clip was good check out a programme called "Jump Britain", you must be able to download it somewhere.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

That's France? Could have sworn it was shot in Breightmet - with a local cast.

[Kylofski]

That's France? Could have sworn it was shot in Breightmet - with a local cast.

Which part of Breightmet are you talking about Zulu?

Sommerton Road Estate looks nothing like that film. (classed as Breightmet)

More like Little Lever.

[CrazyHorse]

That's France? Could have sworn it was shot in Breightmet - with a local cast.

Which part of Breightmet are you talking about Zulu?

Sommerton Road Estate looks nothing like that film. (classed as Breightmet)

More like Little Lever.

Come on! Those guns were way too small for it to be Little Lever.

[TANGODANCER]

Obviously filmed in Moss Side, with a supporting cast from Salford and Little Hulton.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

That's France? Could have sworn it was shot in Breightmet - with a local cast.

Which part of Breightmet are you talking about Zulu?

Sommerton Road Estate looks nothing like that film. (classed as Breightmet)

More like Little Lever.

Well. I'm originally from Kentmere Road / Newby Road and then most of my formative years in Swinside Road, off Crossdale Road.

I rest my case, m'lud!

[warthog]

That's France? Could have sworn it was shot in Breightmet - with a local cast.

Which part of Breightmet are you talking about Zulu?

Sommerton Road Estate looks nothing like that film. (classed as Breightmet)

More like Little Lever.

Well. I'm originally from Kentmere Road / Newby Road and then most of my formative years in Swinside Road, off Crossdale Road.

I rest my case, m'lud!

I used to do that area when I worked for the Royal Mail in the late eighties. Horrendous place.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Yes!

[warthog]

Yes!

Yes indeed. The worst part, the flats on Newlands Avenue, have been demolished. They were absolutely grim. If you had a door you were posh. On Wedesnesday I'd have about five thousand quids worth of Giros in my bag. My predecessor (the smallest bloke in the office) was attacked and had to complete his delivery with a police escort.

After the flats, the action moved onto to Newby Road and Levens Drive and then the scum de la scum, Aldercroft Avenue. A little lad was sat on his garden wall one day as I went past. He turned and shouted into the house.

"Mum, Giro man's here."

One day the DSS sent out every single Giro a day late. Everyone who was expecting one chased after me, to find out what had gone wrong. Of course, they didn't believe me when I said I hadn't got it and followed me around, convinced that I'd somehow find it at the bottom of my bag. I walked down Winchester Way leading a vast procession. I felt like the Pied Piper.

[Kylofski]

Everyone thinks Breightmet (bright medows) is scum. It's not, you go to
Red Lane area
Sommerton Road
Long Lane Stay

Whole of Breightmet is changing.
You see alot of people bought thier council houses cheap and have done them up.
If its yours, you look after it.
If its not, who gives a sh*t.

Even the school has all the latest eqiupment.

But the area has a stigma.

Why don't you now have a look up Newby Road, all change. For the better!!!!

[CrazyHorse]

Everyone thinks Breightmet (bright medows) is scum. It's not, you go to
Red Lane area
Sommerton Road
Long Lane Stay

Whole of Breightmet is changing.
You see alot of people bought thier council houses cheap and have done them up.
If its yours, you look after it.
If its not, who gives a sh*t.

Even the school has all the latest eqiupment.

But the area has a stigma.

Why don't you now have a look up Newby Road, all change. For the better!!!!

I feel I need to reply to this post with something...I just can't think what it should be...

[Kylofski]

Everyone thinks Breightmet (bright medows) is scum. It's not, you go to
Red Lane area
Sommerton Road
Long Lane Stay

Whole of Breightmet is changing.
You see alot of people bought thier council houses cheap and have done them up.
If its yours, you look after it.
If its not, who gives a sh*t.

Even the school has all the latest eqiupment.

But the area has a stigma.

Why don't you now have a look up Newby Road, all change. For the better!!!!

I feel I need to reply to this post with something...I just can't think what it should be...

What You mean CrazyH?

[TANGODANCER]

Everyone thinks Breightmet (bright medows) is scum. It's not, you go to
Red Lane area
Sommerton RoadLong Lane Stay

Whole of Breightmet is changing.
You see alot of people bought thier council houses cheap and have done them up.
If its yours, you look after it.
If its not, who gives a sh*t.

Even the school has all the latest eqiupment.

But the area has a stigma.

Why don't you now have a look up Newby Road, all change. For the better!!!!

Sister in law had a house in Somerton Road. Nice tidy area. Far cry from the Breightmet of old when The Rocket was Bolton's answer to the OK Corral.