Phlogiston

Featuring a ridiculous plot and terrible dialogue, this hugely enjoyable movie is saved by its extraordinary action sequences. In fact the plot is pretty much a device for stringing together some of the most astonishing feats of agility and athleticism; no wire work, no CGI, this film stars and is a showcase for David Belle, the founder of Parkour. After the first big action set piece, in which Belle’s character escapes from a tower block while being chased by a dozen tough guys, I found myself so enthralled and gripped by the sheer physical beauty of his almost feline movement that no amount of hokey dialogue or childlike plot was going to wipe the smile off my face. The opening sequence, in which the camera zooms around District 13, the walled-in ghetto of a near future Paris, was very well done, although sadly the rest of the film didn’t quite live up to it cinematically. Still, you’d either have to have a copy of something by Derrida shoved up your backside, or just be a complete curmudgeon, not to enjoy this.