Review: 'From Paris with love' is no joyride

Film: From Paris with love
Cast: Travolta, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden, Melissa Mars, Amber Rose Revah, Farid Elouardi
Director: Pierre Morel
Rating: * ½

Luc Besson has co-written the script and Pierre Morel( Taken) has directed this film starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as super-Special Agent Charlie Wax and Agent James Reece, respectively, newly partnered together to combat crime in this comedic action adventure.

Wax is gleefully trigger happy, twirling a weapon in each hand, despatching members of a Chinese drug gang with amazing ease and ever eager to dispose off many more of the same while Reese plays yes man to a lowly CIA operative before he gets into the big league alongside Wax.

Travolta despite his shaved head, campy style, ever expanding waist and waning stardom has a screen presence that far outshines that of Rhys Meyer who has almost been relegated to a young has-been despite some A list roles in well-appreciated films.

As you must have guessed, this wannabe Bond movie is set in Paris and has plenty of super-charged action and maniacal irreverence. The fierce gunplay and  high speed car chases on Parisian boulevards are action set-pieces created for action sake. There’s no other rhyme nor reason. Michel Abrahamovich’s agitated cinematography also adds to the disaffection that sets in. This one’s no joyride for sure!