International Rescue

With a predictable plot and no-name actors, 'District 13' should be a failure before it's begun. So why is it so damn good?

Feature by Colan Mehaffey | 15 Jul 2006
Since the millennium Luc Besson has become the workhorse of French cinema, acting as director, producer or writer on nearly fifty movies whose sole principle seems to be 'style over (mostly inane) content'. And 'District 13', which Besson co-wrote and produced, is no different. The pleasant surprise here is that first-time director Pierre Morel delivers the action stunningly and at such breakneck speed that the clumsily pilfered plot is barely noticeable.

The premise is simple and recognisable: in the near future, a poverty stricken and crime riddled area is annexed by a corrupt government and left to rot until pantomime overlord of said hellhole steals a potentially apocalyptic weapon. So blatant a facsimile of John Carpenter's seminal 'Escape from New York' should never have succeeded, given that the great man himself failed with the ill advised sequel 'Escape from L.A.' But more than simply relocating the action to the suburbs of Paris, Besson makes this into a buddy turn that sees elite cop Damien (Cyril Raffaelli) teaming up with ghetto good guy Leito (David Belle) to thwart the dastardly plot. And surprisingly the set up works, as each character is introduced in a breathtaking action sequence before they are forced together to save the day.

The casting of stuntmen Raffaelli and Belle is key to the film's success. Their ability to climb walls, leap between buildings and spectacularly kick ass allows Morel to focus on the action and diverts attention from the sometimes dire dialogue. Indeed, the pair choreographed and performed the action sequences themselves, negating the use of CGI. This, believes Morel, is prescient of a change in the action genre: "The public needs real heroes, not actors pretending to be heroes. These athletic stuntmen are becoming the real stars." And their acting ability? Well, it's limited but Jason Statham is barely Oscar calibre either.

Given the recent riots in the Parisienne banlieue and subsequent draconian actions of the French government, the movie could be in danger of delivering a political message. Worry not, action fans; the brief moments of meaningful discourse see the actors looking as confused and yearning for another spectacular scrap as the audience.

Besson seems intent on single-handedly reversing the trend of the last thirty years by exporting mindless, fun action flicks to the US. And judging by 'District 13' he may well succeed… in getting yet another inferior makeover by Hollywood. 'Taxi', anyone?
Dir: Pierre Morel
Stars: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Tony D'Amario
Release Date: July 21
Cert: 15 http://www.thefreerunningmovie.com