Bastille Day (2016)

Review

92min

Genre:      Action, Thriller

Director:   James Watkins

Cast:        Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon…and more

Writer:     Andrew Baldwin

An American pickpocket in Paris is on the run after being unwittingly implicated in a terrorist attack, hunted by a hard-nosed CIA super agent, together they form a unwilling alliance to unravel a conspiracy which threatens the city in this European action/thriller with an distinctly American flavour.

Whether it’s unfortunate timing that this film echoes the tragic events in Paris last November and the anti-immigrant sentiment that’s spreading across Europe, or producers are taking advantage of a climate of fear in a divided continent; the storyline inevitably makes ‘Bastille Day’ a pseudo-political action/thriller at the very least.

But when you strip away the contrivances, ‘Bastille Day’ is a rather traditional action movie which takes a little stylistic and narrative something from various films of the last 20 years; from ’48 Hours’ and ‘The Rock’, to ‘Inside Man’ and ‘Ronin’… and plenty of ‘Bourne’ of course.

The irresistible Idis Elba stars as an uncompromising but ultra-capable CIA agent alongside “King of the North” himself Richard Madden as the young American thief, and this familiar reluctant “buddy cop” relationship anchors this curious French-led European production, which features a largely British cast playing Americans, in Paris… globalization ehh.

‘Bastille Day’ is a fun cinematic experience with no shortage of car and foot chases to grab your attention; not to mention explosions, gunfights an no small measure elaborate fist-fighting.  All taking  place within a reasonably plausible storyline with a decent amount of deadpan humour, thank to the familiar but enjoyable relationship between the two lead characters.

But ‘Bastille Day’ offers virtually nothing fresh or compelling to the genre, we’ve seen it all before over the last few decades of action flicks and spy-thrillers, done far more stylishly and memorably.

Ultimately this is a moderately entertaining way to spend an hour and a half, but you’ll take nothing with you as you leave the cinema, not even a particularly spectacular action-set piece done from a fresh perspective. We do however get to enjoy another performance from one of the most formidable presences in cinema today, and we look forward to seeing Idris Elba’s upcoming ‘Star Trek’ villain in the summer.

And that’s what many people will take from this film; in what may be the most elaborate “Bond” audition ever, we get to see what a badass moody Idris Elba “007” might look like… and we’re in.

The Bottom Line…

Idris Elba’s unique charms and formidable screen presence holds together this highly derivative but reasonably enjoyable action/thriller, ‘Bastille Day’ won’t make much of an impression but we can think of worse ways to kill a couple of hours.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

The Bourne Identity (2002)

Washed up on the shores of Europe with bullet holes in his back and no memory of who he is, a man with extraordinary skills and on the run from authorities must find out who he is and why he’s being hunted by mysterious and dangerous people.

Directed by  Doug Liman and starring Matt Damon, Franka Potente and Chris Cooper among others.

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