Banlieue 13 (District 13) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

France 2004
Director: Pierre Morel
Cast: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Bibi Naceri
Release Date: November 10th 2004
Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour 21 mins 3 secs

The Movie Review

Banlieue 13 (District 13) film still 1


BANLIEUE 13 (DISTRICT 13)
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
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Novelty is one thing that always has a special place in moviegoers' heart. But it is not something that could easily be accomplished, that is if we are referring to a good one. And concerning the world of martial arts, I think most of us have already very familiar with forms such as Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Ninjutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Pencak Silat. Although almost each and every movie that employs any form of martial arts is captivating, the question is, could there still be a new form of martial arts that we could really enjoy watching it? Well there is, it is called Parkour. And even though it is not purely martial arts as in "to kick the heck out of someone", and more like "go from point A to B as fast as you can", Parkour is still something very action-packed and is something useful in urban life.

And talking about Parkour, there is already one major movie from France in 2001 that covered Parkour, entitled Yamakasi. Yes, Parkour was invented in France. And now one of the founders of Parkour, David Belle, is headlining Banlieue 13. It is interesting actually, since he didn't appear in Yamakasi. What is quite intriguing that Yamakasi's sequel, Les Fils Du Vent, was also released in the same year as Banlieue 13 (or District 13 as it's commonly known in United States). I will get to that point of comparison later, but I just to want put forth that while Les Fils Du Vent is an action movie with quite hefty drama as its selling point, Banlieue 13 is a pure action film.

Banlieue 13 is set in the future Paris, France, exactly in 2010 where the situation is totally hectic and chaotic. It tells the struggle of one man named Leïto (David Belle) who lives in the slum called District 13 with his sister Lola (Dany Verissimo). The slum is overrun by the drugs which are controlled by the drug lord named Taha (Bibi Naceri). However, Leïto is a stand up guy who fights against a band of Taha's thugs lead by the burly K2 (Tony D'Amario). Leïto and Lola eventually manage to hold Taha as a hostage and even takes him to the police station which is located the borderline between the slum and the real city of Paris. The strong, agile but naive Leïto soon realizes that everything is not as simple as counting 1, 2, 3. Meanwhile an undercover police officer named Damien (Cyril Raffaelli) is sent by the government to go to District 13 and to recover the missing nuclear bomb, which could level anything in 8 km radius, which befalls to Taha's hands. To do this, Damien needs a tough man who originates from the slum and has considerable skill in martial arts, that man is no other than Leïto. But will Leïto help him? And will the government get their deadly missile back?

What's better to see than Jason Statham who could do parkour? What Jason Statham has gotta do with B13? Let's just say that the overall tone of the movie is something that very Jason Statham-y like, in a sense that everything moves fast. Plus to inform you that Cyril Raffaelli has also contributed in movies headlined by Jason Statham, Transporter and Transporter 2, which those two movies were written/produced by the one who wrote Banlieue 13, Luc Besson. Only the different is, which is a good thing, David Belle is on hands to add the fresh experience of watching Parkour. David completes Cyril and vice versa (in a tough-guy-way of course) ;-).

Surely editing is never a problem. A good action movie, which depends on rough and fast movements (either in the explosive kind of way or martial arts skill), should have a good pace. And by pace, I mean excellent editing which omit any kind of unnecessary scenes. Let it Banlieue 13 be a short movie, it's totally acceptable. It's much better this way than adding useless scenes merely to fill the running length.

Perhaps the bad thing about fast-paced motion picture like this is that everything may seem to be rushed (for some moviegoers) and we don't have the time to root for any of the characters except for Leïto. And the cinematography is dull. It's understandable since it takes the backdrop similar of post-civil-war era in a deserted neighbourhood. And the musical score is not something extraordinary, it's plain ordinary but suits just fine. And to comment about the acting is kinda silly. This is a movie of pure action, the prowess of action is what I look. As long as the actors and actresses talk and behave normally, as in not wooden or over-the-top, I'm willing to overlook other stuff. Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle are undoubtedly great action stars and heckuva stuntmen, David founded Parkour and Cyril has alredy started to jump over small bulding when he was only 12 years old, mainly inspired by Jackie Chan as he once mentioned on an interview.

Now let's talk about the comparison between Les Vils du Fent and Banlieue 13. In my opinion, there is only one word that describe them and connect them together, Ong-Bak. A masterpiece in the action movie realm coming from Thailand. I will draw comparison from that movie alone. Les Fils du Vent also didn't use CGI or wire to replace the action scenes of the actors, but it employs drama and even romance to the movie, plus it also sets the movie in Thailand with the chasing scenes through the streets of Bangkok similar-though-inferior to the one in Ong-Bak. And Banlieue 13, like I said before, is pure action. So no drama, comedy, and even romantic or other elements are added to B13, at least not in a crystal-clear way. But B13 also put the actors in dangers for performing deadly stunts without CGI or Wire. And they could really fall from that deadly height, plus just notice the bruise and crack in the actors' face, it's highly likely those are 99% real. Two great martial arts actors engage in a real fight with enough conscience to know when to stop? Amazing. Besides what is lack in story is made up in style.

I like this movie, though far different from other mainstream movies with all the beautiful girls and their flashing fleshes plus the big-budgeted explosions, but B13 still rocks! And I appreciate greatly any movies where the actors really do damage and take damage in the fighting scenes. All bruises and wounded to give the audience the sense of reality of the intensity of fighting? Top Notch! That is a grand achievement for any action film from fully-dedicated action stars. Plus with all the good stuff I've mentioned above, B13 is a must to watch for action lovers. You miss it your loss. Banlieue 13 has good editing, great opening scene, full of gusto dialogue and satisfying act of revenge. Satisfying as in doesn't shy away for settling the score with the bad guys. No matter whether the DVD or Blu-ray package comes with minimum or maximum treatment, Banlieue 13 for me is a keeper.