Weekly Review -- An explosive je ne sais quoi

From Paris With Love (2010) -- Harkening back to old-fashioned action films involving no muss or fuss, the new Pierre Morel offering delivers on all of its trailer promises. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, embassy worker James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has been doing contract work for the CIA. In order to let him prove his skills, his contact arranges a collaboration with a rule-defying, hard-living American spy, Charlie Wax (John Travolta), who arrives in Paris to prevent a terrorist attack. As the shootouts and explosions begin, the two crisscross Paris to find clues to the target and the brains behind the operation... I am a big fan of Morel's previous film, Taken, and his new entry is equally thrilling. The film works partly because of the snappy, zinger-filled dialogue and partly because of its lack of pretense; most of all, its appeal lies in the amusing contrast between Travolta's zany energy and Meyers' straight-laced, straight-faced decorum. Each actor is terrific in their respective role, bringing enthusiasm and mischief to the events unfolding fast and furious, left and right. Travolta has the good sense to occasionally emphasize the cheeky side of the seriousness, even referring to one of the most popular characters of his career at one point, while Meyers plays Reese methodically, flaunting a hint of lovelorn glee. The action sequences are well choreographed and entertaining; one wonders about the various ways the pair can concoct booms around the city or the myriad places they can jump out of, ending up without a scratch. From Paris With Love is a good old shoot-'em-up bonanza, taking the viewer for a fun ride that hardly employs any brakes, and that swerves and spirals deliciously out of control every ten seconds. Sit down, grab a drink and enjoy... and make sure you do not forget that rocket launcher.

8/10