The scrappy French import “District B13″ introduced people to Parkour, a fighting method currently infiltrating Hollywood features like “Casino Royale” and even “Cop Out.”
Just don’t blame “District B13″ for the latter.
So, another “District” feature seemed inevitable – and equally likely to rise above other sequel cash-in attempts.
If you love the Parkour fighting style, why not go back to the source for more?
But “District 13: Ultimatum” marches on for long stretches without any kinetic action sequences, leaving us with a Kumbaya story and a longing for more amazing foot chases.
Five years after the events of the first film, not much has changed in the violent French neighborhood showcased in the original.
Corrupt government officials want to wipe D13 off the map and start anew … and make a hefty profit in the bargain.
Just like Iraq, one character notes in one of the film’s attempts at liberal hand-wringing. Heck, there’s even an evil contractor looking to clean up dubbed Harriburton.
Ring a bell?
That forces good cop Damien Tomasso (Cyril Raffaelli – who looks alarmingly good in drag) and his reformed buddy Leïto (David Belle) back together again.
The film doesn’t find its mojo until a tightly orchestrated chase scene mid-film, one showing some of the wonders of Parkour and letting our heroes jump through the air with grace.
The story takes just as long to simmer.
Our “D” stars still click, representing a nice change from the usual buddy movie template. Neither is a blowhard, and while they tease each other the dialogue is understated and natural.
It’s refreshing to see them in action, and while this franchise appears to be stalling who wouldn’t want them paired again in any capacity?
But right minded viewers will chuckle at “the solutions” offered during the film’s touchy-feely resolution.
“D13″ hints at ambitious themes, the struggle between liberty and practicality, the use of brute force to keep the peace. But the villains here aren’t remarkable, and the subplots aren’t sharp enough to make us forget about that.
What’s far more effective is how the film shows different races teaming up to fight corruption. The film blasts away stereotypes by ensuring different ethnicities don’t fall into predictable story slots.
The film’s Blu-ray extras include a “Making Of” featurette, a production diary made by cast and crew, and some deleted and extended scenes.
“D13: Ultimatum” can’t replicate the joy – and sense of surprise – found in the original. The new film still gives us an excuse to buddy up with a most unusual screen team.
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Harriburton *sigh*
“It creates jobs” *eyeroll*
Rodney King–style cop video… *groan*
We are the World ending… *big chuckle*
oh, Luc… oh, Luc…