District B13
Here Is What You Need To Know:
District B13 is quite the little surprise. Most of you reading this review have likely missed this film, but if you are on the lookout for a well done sci-fi action flick then this might fit the bill. The central concept of the film is that a lawless slum in Paris, called District B13 has been walled off supposedly for the safety of the rest of Paris, leaving both the good and the bad together to rot. Not very nice to be sure, but what is nice, quite nice is the consistent pacing and the awesome stunt work. Leito who lives in District B13 is basically a good guy in a world run by highly organized gangs of thugs who end up kidnapping his younger sister. Leito (David Belle) is a force to reckon with as he has amazing acrobatic skills that are the highlight of the film. Oh, and did I mention that there is a nuclear weapon somewhere in the city that has to be dealt with and soon? District B13 suffers from some really old and tired cliches but the action in the film is great and there are enough unexpected twists to smooth out some of the cliched roughness.
What Was Cool:
-District B13 deals with some ideas that are often overlooked in most mainstream science-fiction films, especially Hollywood flicks. For all the running, flipping, kicking, punching and shooting there are some moments that deal with some interesting and mentally stimulating topics. Clearly the writers, which included Luc Besson, were trying to straddle the fence between playing with high-brow concepts on one side and fast paced eye candy on the other. It mostly works.
-There are some suprises that come very abruptly, which will keep most audience members watching intensely. In this regard, District B13 is a total homerun.
What Was Stupid:
Wow, is District B13 a weird film. The tired old cliches, such as the kidnapped sister in need of rescue, why go there? Sister, girlfriend, wife whatever, why do women need to be rescued so often in films? Isn’t reality a lot closer to “yeah, sis’ please bail me out of jail.” The use of these cliches is just lazy and puzzling. With so much hard work put into this film why not polish up the script a little more. The cliches keep District B13 from being a really fine sci-fi action film.
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
Simply put the stunts are amazing and all involved in cordinating and executing the stunts should be commended. If you like stunts, you’ll enjoy this flick!
Overlooked Performance/Accomplishment:
In the States anyway, District B13 has been overlooked as a whole and that is a shame. This is a worthwhile film, especially for you action fans out there. Check it out, the direction by Pierre Morel is top notch.
Story B- (I would love to give the story a higher mark as there are some novel and thought provoking concepts, but again, it’s the cliches that hurt the film.)
Use of Science C+ (Sure science is used and there is a nice twist on the type of nuclear weapon that is employed, but beyond this there is little else.)
Acting B+ (For a film of this type, the acting is pretty solid.)
Portrayal of Women C+ (While the female lead is “spunky” and “tough” she is still a damel in distress and is treated as a sex object and is even put on a leash. Then again, not too much of a surprise here folks, just look at Besson’s other work and how those works deal with women, for example, The Fifth Element.)
Visuals-Visuals and Special Effects B+ (The overall visuals are “grade a” for a action film. The stunts and visuals effects, all work well with the costuming, set design and props.)
Visuals-Set Design/Props B
Wardrobe/Costumes B
Style/Sex Appeal A (The film has a sense of style that most movie fans will find familiar yet unique enough.)
Enjoyability Grade B+
Home Theater/HD Factor B+
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) B
Overall Innovation B+ (The stunts are innovative and some of the social statements and commentary are unique for films in this genre.)
Overall Grade B+
A Little Fact About Cherie:
-I could really do without all the Christmas commercialism. Another thing, which genius thought it was a good idea to whack millions of trees just to throw a bunch of shiny crap on them every year. What’s more beauty a tree standing in a forest creating fresh air for us to breath or…fine I’ll stop. Happy Holidays, on and so forth.
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