FROM PARIS WITH LOVE (15)Rating: ll
DIRECTOR Pierre Morel returns to the scene of previous cinematic crimes for this explosive tour of Paris in the company of two mismatched American agents on a quest to dismantle a terrorist cell. Morel’s last film, Taken, at least had the good sense to cast Liam Neeson in the underwritten lead role of a father seeking justice.
Here, he’s lumbered with the handsome yet inexpressive Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and John Travolta.
Ironically, it is Travolta’s scenery-chewing and wide-eyed ravings which turn out to be the guilty pleasure of what us essentially a dumb action adventure that clumsily pilfers scenes from the Bourne trilogy.
Buddy movies demand sharp comic timing, and a clearly defied narrative arc for the characters from distrust and irritation to mutual admiration. Sadly, Morel’s film has neither.
