| Product: |
District 13 (DVD) |
| Date: |
14/11/06 (192 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Great action scene
Disadvantages: Poor story, never lives up to the start of the film
Most things in life cost something, be it food, shelter or just having a good time. However, I always assumed that running was free. You get up, leave the house and run for your hearts content. Therefore, I was quite shocked to see a new type of activity called ‘Free Running’; yes we know it’s free! Turns out that Free Running is a form of extreme sport that has you running over objects and buildings. The ‘sport’ is particular popular in France were it has been used in a recent action film ‘District 13’. Can this new form of action give ‘District 13’ the uniqueness it will need to overcome its foreign origins and diluted market?
The initial story premise of ‘District 13’ is pure hokum, but still quite good. In 2010 the slums of Paris have become so overrun with crime that the authorities decide that rather than try to deal with the problem they will enclose the areas into districts and let them rule themselves. With no schools, police or any other government agencies the districts fall further into chaos. ‘District 13’ is one such place and is controlled by an evil drug dealer. The only man that stands against him is Leito, an athletic vigilante. He discovers, with the help of a police officer, that an advanced bomb is being held within the drug den and they must work together to save Paris.
The story is pure science fiction-lite, but even so impinges on the action. After the first half of the film we are given lengthy exchanges in dialogue rather than action – it seems that any French film that is made at the moment has to have some commentary on the America interactions in Iraq – get on with the action!
It is the action elements that prove to be the saving grace of this film, especially those that include Free Running. You may remember this from the last set of BBC 1 adverts that saw a bunch of men dressed in red running towards the screen. In Free Running the athlete jumps over large gaps, runs along walls and uses their momentum to get to places you would not think reachable. Add this to an action scene and you get gritty western fighting with the skill and dexterity of Jackie Chan. The scene near the start of the movie, in particular, is truly excellent. Leito is on the run within a block of flats from a gang. He proceeds to run everywhere, over their heads, out of the window, on the balconies and finally the rooftops. Seeing real people do these very dangerous stunts in this new and urban way is fantastic.
And here lies another criticism I have for the film – using your best scene first. The James Bond franchise has often introduced the film with an action set piece but the viewer is pretty sure that there will be many more where that came from. In the case of ‘District 13’ this is just not true. No other part of the film compares at all to the action sequence that occurs in the first ten minutes. You spend the next 80 mins hoping that they will try and create something similar using Free Running but instead the film reverts to more standard martial arts and run ‘n’ gun fighting. A real disappointment.
From a technical point of view the film does well. The budget was obviously not high but by setting it in the near future the director, Pierre Morel, was able to use present day slums. The camerawork used was exciting and showed the Free Running aspects off well, with the gritty and urban feel it needs. The editing was not intrusive and allowed you to watch the stunts rather than constantly jump cutting which is refreshing for a modern action film. The film had a strong feeling of urban decay throughout and made the idea of sections of cities being cornered off believable. However, all the good work here can not make up for a very drab script and a series of action sequences that get progressively more boring.
In conclusion, is this film worth buying or renting? I would say definitely no to buying as there is little rewatch value and the film is not great. I would rent it for something a bit different and the great action at the start. The film is let down greatly by the reliance on script over action, especially as the film progresses. I was majorly disappointed that the action was unable to live up to the promise of the first great scene. Why on Earth did they think it was a great idea to start so well and not do anything else – each minute you sit in anticipation for the next great bit of Free Running only for you to spend the film disappointed. There are elements of postivity in this film but they number too few to make up for the poor script and action. However, I am glad that the new James Bond film has taken a leaf out of this film's Free Running example and we will see Bond being urban and gritty.
Director: Pierre Morel
Year: 2004
Starring: Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle
DVD Price: £11.47 amazon.uk
£11.99 play.com
Extras
This film is French so you have the option of watching the DVD using either subtitles or a dub. As there is a lot of action the subtitles are not too bad to follow. It should also be pointed out that the dub is pretty good, giving the characters voices that suit them well. I think that neither option will inhibit your viewing, so choose what you prefer.
The other extras are not great but there are a couple of interesting documentaries on the making of the film and, more importantly, the art of Free Running. However, I would not go out and get this film for the extras alone.
Summary: Interesting film but deeply flawed - let's hope the action is better in Bond
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