From Paris with Love (2010) User Reviews

Just about everything in this has been done before, but still damn entertaining

[KineticSeoul · 7/10 · 12 April 2010]

This movie is basically about two guys going around blowing stuff up in Paris. And the plot of them trying to take down a terrorist organization is just there to move the movie along because, even for films like this there has to be some sort of plot. And everything in this is nothing you haven't seen before with the explosions and gun fights and all, but something about the film just makes it pretty damn entertaining. I mean the plot with the by the book dude teaming up with a loose cannon crazy guy has been done before, but the elements of bad ass and witty and fast paced dialogue and maybe some other stuff makes it really entertaining to watch, even if the twist near the end was pretty predictable as the rest of the movie. Jonathan Rhys Meyers who plays a character that plays by the book was pretty boring and he takes up the first few couple of minutes of the movie, but when John Travolta comes in, well lets just say it's one hell of a ride. He basically plays Charlie Wax, a reckless guy that is a bit crazy but always gets things done. Just turn your brain off and enjoy this movie for what it is, not every film has to be smart to be enjoyable.

7.5/10

A Fun Way To Spend 90 Minutes.

[Matt_Layden · 7/10 · 27 May 2010]

A young spy who wants to get bigger and better jobs is partnered with an American hot head with a foul mouth and a love for violence. The mission is to stop some terrorists.

To say I was expecting crap would be an understatement. Travolta's goofy look, a tired clichéd pairing of straight man and crazy partner, senseless action that would try to cram a plot and story in at some point. Yet, after the credits rolled, I sat there with a smile on my face. As far as spy films go, this one takes a more action heavy side. There are some cool and interesting gadgets, but I didn't get any James Bond moment.

Travolta surprised me here too. His character was funny, bad ass at times and knew how to kick some ass. The only downside would be that I just couldn't imagine Travolta doing half of these things. He's a great character and fits perfectly with this film, but it seems a tad miscast for the action sequences. Travolta nails every other part of the role. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the straight man to Travolta's crazy hero. This is nothing new and the film doesn't try to step around this issue. Instead it is upfront about it. It tells you exactly what you are in for when you are introduced to these characters. All it asks is for you, as a viewer, to enjoy the action and thrills this film wants to give you.

The action is non-stop. Of course we are privy to those scenes in between where we need to move the plot along, but the film has shootouts, car chases, foot chases, rocket launchers, etc. It's handled well and I was actually able to see the action on the screen. I was never lost in the film, I knew where I was the whole time and what was being depicted. Again, that one shortfall is that we know Travolta isn't doing these action sequences, it's clearly a stuntman.

With every spy film you know there will be some twist that someone is not who they seem to be. I was able to pick this one out right from the beginning. Again, the plot devices used in From Paris With Love are far from original, we have all seen this film before. So why bother watching it? For the chemistry between the two leads and the action sequences in a beautiful city. The city, we unfortunately, did not see enough of.

I went in with low expectations and came out happy with the end result. I would suggest you do the same.

Not the usual John Travolta role.

[PWNYCNY · 7/10 · 5 February 2010]

It's John Travolta like you have never seen him before. Here he is Mister Action, the ultimate Tough Guy, the new Bruce Willis but with more flair. The story itself is not particularly noteworthy. But there is lots of action as Travolta shows everyone who's boss in this action-packed special effects extravaganza. Also there is non-stop violence with Mr. Travolta leading the way. If you like movies with stories that feature nonstop violence, then this movie is for you. If you like John Travolta, this movie is for you. But in terms of the story, don't expect too much from this movie. Remember: it's a commercial product so at some point artistic merit inevitably gives way to the usual dose of special effects that Hollywood spews out like clockwork. Hooray for John Travolta and Hollywood!

Silly and over the top

[imdbbl · 27 February 2010]

A personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France, James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend, but his real passion is his side job as a low-level operative for the CIA. All James wants is to become a bona fide agent and see some real action. So when he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner, special agent Charlie Wax (John Travolta)...

From Paris With Love is an unrealistic, over-the-top action flick. The plot is extremely silly, the story quite implausible, and the action scenes are absolutely ridiculous not to mention that you can see the twist coming from the beginning.Both Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers deliver good performances and they had good chemistry but at the same time their characters are paper-thin and were poorly written. Something that appalled me was the editing of the film and the transition between some scenes. I thought it was rather choppy and not something I would expect from experienced directors like Luc Besson and Pierre Morel. The film does have its moments and can be quite entertaining at times but if you're expecting something along the lines of Morel's last film, Taken, which was a well thought and realistic action-thriller then you're gonna be extremely disappointed. Recommended for action junkies only.

6/10

Action Heaven

[itsparsley · 7/10 · 12 February 2010]

Pierre Morel & Luc Besson delivered one of the best action films of the last decade, Taken. Even people who typically despise the action genre were won over by it. So where do Pierre & Besson head from here? They made the move to appeal solely to the action fan base. From Paris With Love is made for genre fans, not your average movie-goer. The first 20 minutes are spent with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and it feels a little slow. Once John Travolta's character comes into the story the film takes off like a roller-coaster. His charisma gives the film an extra kick and it gives much of the action a new flavor. Once the fun starts it doesn't stop. Whenever you think this film is slowing down it's really getting ready for the next shootout. You're on the edge of your seat until the very end. Actually, one of my two complaints is the end (I won't spoil anything). Let's just say the last 5 minutes feel a little rushed. If you loved going to the theater to see Live Free Or Die Hard, Rambo, & Taken than this is for you.

Great action making the movie seem short

[gqonmars · 7/10 · 11 June 2010]

Would I watch this movie again? Yes I was not sure what to expect from this movie. But, I decided to watch it. And long and behold, its one which you should not miss if you are into guy movies like me. Lots of action, good lines, fast pace and a bit of a story. What else can a guy ask for? More hot chick scene? Action: Travolta has all the moves and faster then all the bullets which blast by him. He kicks butt and then some.

Speech and dialogue: There were one liners, yes. But the fast talking Travolta was entertaining and was very complimentary with his co-stars Chemistry and pace: The characters were good with each other. Meyers and wife was good. Made me believe. The action and fast talking move the movie along. From building to building, it was good to have different locations to kill bad guys.

Story and Plot: Its all there in the synopsis, where a guy wants more action and he got it.

Hotties and love scenes: just one simple scene

Ending: Ending is good as I feel like it completed the movie. No real loose ends. (I hate movies where the ending leaves you dissatisfied)

I feel the love for you Paris but I'm not sure that I'm getting it back.

[Legendary_Badass · 7/10 · 5 February 2010]

You never know what you are going to get. With From Paris with Love, you see two distinctly different marketing strategies. One set of trailers and TV spot bills it as a hard-boiled action flick, with Travolta unleashing a fury of bullets. The other focuses on the much lesser known Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as he deals with the comedic situations placed on him through the Travolta character. If you can go in with an open mind, you'll see that both approaches ring true for better or worse.

Our story starts with a long dose of James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). He's the personal aid to the U.S Ambassador to France. Known for book smarts, his side task of spying for his country affords him the opportunity to place bugs and switch plates. At his flat, his girlfriend Caroline (Kasia Smutniak) has to deal with being kept in the dark. When the opportunity for more dangerous work presents itself, Reece is given a partner in the form of Charlie Wax (John Travolta). Wax is a fast-talking, trigger-happy, manic whose order to do as he pleases may just be too much for Reece.

The two J's make for a great team. On one end you have Reece leading the audience into the underground world of mayhem while trying to keep his wits about him. On the other there is the everyman's adrenaline junkie who may not be too old just yet. And for what it's worth, in a throwaway action flick, there's a genuine sense of fun in the air. However, the emphasis on mindless chaos puts a damper on the mood. There are numerous moments where the pace hiccups all the way to 11. I sure would have appreciated a briefing of sorts instead of a simple kill everyone mentality. Even with the agenda to smite the terrorists, there is an explosive moment near the end that exists for zero narrative purpose. Maybe Wax was having so much fun flirting with diegetic sound that he forgot to fire his bazooka, opting instead to save it for a more dramatic moment. You just can't have the kill happy hero abort and purse a target at the same time.

From the director of Taken, Pierre Morel, comes a tale based on a short story from Luc Besson. I'm not sure what that's going to mean to the average moviegoer, whether you factor in Morel's short resume at the helm or the sporadic nature of Besson's screenplays. What I saw from a crew standpoint was a throwback to the '80s and '90s action genre. Gun use doesn't provoke bullet-time effects. You can bet Travolta has a stunt double. Most importantly you can understand what's happening during the fights. I can't even count how many films edit around the action these days to the point that you have no honest idea of who's still standing. If you are sick of The Dark Knight method of shooting fists juxtaposed with fallen bodies, From Paris with Love will be a good movie for you.

Wax is a character that is unfortunately placed in the narrative's backseat. To better understand what I'm talking about, look at Lethal Weapon. In that film the two cop buddies have a developed background. We see their homes, we see Murtaugh's family and Riggs' dog. Well in From Paris with Love the only character you get to know the history of or see the private love of is Reece. At 92 minutes, there certainly could have been time allotted to explore Wax, but the screenplay shuns it. Maybe some time to cool down with his side of life would have helped reduce the jerky pacing. Man, I feel the love for you Paris but I'm not sure that I'm getting it back.

Surprising

[mr-paladin · 8/10 · 26 March 2010]

Please be gentle, this is my first review.

First of all, Travolta is back! Since Pulp Fiction, where I really enjoyed his play, I always had the feeling that his acting was about skin-deep. What happened in this movie is an invention of a new old-school action hero which would have stood in one line with Willis, Stallone and Schwarzenegger without trying to be one of them. He's powerful, funny and seriously "true" without being ridiculously over-torqued like in Pelham 123 or Face-off.

Basically you need to enjoy old-school action movies to like this. The storyline must have come to the writers mind while brushing his teeth in the morning - It's solid, well grounded, but a little bit too compressed for a 90 min movie. Concerning the speed of this movie, the camera work is fantastic and the cut allows to enjoy the action at it's fullest. (In the last years there were many movies of this type with a cut/camera like a flip-book with missing pages, which made them completely unenjoyable.)

I would like to see more movies of this type in the next years. It's not pretending to be more than what it is: Solid "hero-action" with a proper sidekick.

I Heart Paree

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 7/10 · 31 January 2011]

While there is no shortage of people jockeying for position in line to condemn Luc Besson, there's no denying the entertainment of his action movies. Over the past ten years the man has given us Kiss of the Dragon, the Transporter franchise, and Taken. These movies will never be up for any major awards but they are still worth the money and time for action fans.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays James Reese, the personal assistant to the American Ambassador in France who does odd, low-level covert jobs on the side. He longs for the big leagues, and gets his wish (to the extreme) when he's suddenly partnered with the flamboyant Charlie Wax (an OTT John Travolta, who really seems to be enjoying himself). Wax has a mission in Paris, but he's keeping the full details from Reese, gradually letting him further into the tangle of twists as the elaborate story unfolds. Racking up a body count of more than one an hour in the process.

The Travolta/Meyers double-act mostly pays off, but, like Reese, the audience is left out in the cold for the duration. Meyers doesn't do much but stand aside while Travolta rampages through posses of bad guys. I know he's the 'everyman' we can identify with, thus giving us a smoother insight into the world of espionage, but if he was just given a tiny bit more to do than stand around wide-eyed and frightened the film would have gotten a higher rating from me.

As 90-minute fluff we're talking serious entertainment here. If you're wanting more profound film-making look elsewhere (not that Besson is incapable of this either). From Paris With Love doesn't rewrite the rules of the action or spy genre, but it does play every expected note loudly and maniacally. Exactly how many films have a bald, goatee-sporting John Travolta hanging out of a car window talking on the phone in one hand with a giant mofo rocket-launcher in the other?

Wax On, Wax Off

[JoaoPovoaMarinheiro · 7/10 · 27 February 2010]

What a ride! After enjoying instant cult action movies like 'Banlieu 13' and 'Taken', I was reluctant to watch what Pierre Morel's latest work was going to turn out to be. The verdict: kick ass.

As his previous movies, the french director continues to carry out his trademark. He makes the viewer dive into the action right from the beginning and in a vertiginous ride that is maintained until the end of the movie. It is what you expect from the excellent action scenes: gun shooting, explosions...but the thing is that they are directed by a real specialist, so you won't be disappointed.

Again, one kick-ass character is revealed and this one, Charlie Wax is a surprise because it is brilliantly portrayed by a metamorphosed John Travolta. Metamorphosed because he simply rocks with his bald head, goatee, earing, taliban scarf, gun techniques, martial arts moves and how can we forget his 'lady' gun. He simply is the movie's main attraction.

As usual, some people will criticize the plot for what it is and they could be right. Sure it's not an academy award winning one, but as to me, I thought it was decently competent and it had some nice twists in it too.

Finishing, 'From Paris With Love' is a kick-ass action movie and rollercoasting ride settled in the lovely Paris. This genre lovers will not be disappointed as well as Pierre Morel's fans - 7/10.

Go See Don't Listen to the Critics Worth Your Money

[bchunt2 · 9 February 2010]

It always amazes me how critics like to destroy with articulate words movies. All I know is it is worth spending the money to go see. Male,female,teens to adults will like. It is action packed with a Bruce Willis type of humor while at the same time surely enjoyable to keep your attention. You will leave there saying, that was really good and worth spending the money. Like the plot very much, even though critics are tearing it down. It is stimulating, exciting,full of action with a twisting plot that you will find most interesting and fulfilling. Is it for little kids, too much guns and shooting. Even though it is action packed with lots of shooting action, it is not a gross bloody movie.I repeat you will leave there saying I am glad I went to see that movie. Have fun that is why we go to the movies and spend our money to enjoy ourselves.

Big. Dumb. Fun.

[Troy_Campbell · 6/10 · 20 February 2010]

After Pierre Morel delivered the surprise smash Taken a couple of years ago it is no wonder he has been given another chance to strike box office gold. He certainly hasn't held back, throwing everything including the kitchen sink at making his follow up as enjoyable and adrenaline pumping as everyone is expecting it to be. He very nearly succeeds. Whilst it features some ambitious set pieces – a fist fight with a rowdy gang and a multi-storey shootout against drug-dealing terrorists stand out as two of the best – laugh out loud gags and a humorous tongue-in-cheek performance by Travolta, From Paris will alienate half the audience who saw Taken due to its over-the-top, comic book approach which can sometimes be hard to indulge. If you can lower your IQ, look past the nonsensical plot and take the outlandish action for what it is, you may find yourself smiling more than you would care to admit.

Don't let the throwaway Bond title misguide you, there is no handsome spy, futuristic gadgets or cartoonish villains on offer here. There are two elements that share a commonality with the 007 franchise though: nonstop one-liners and henchmen who just can't shoot to save themselves. Both are dispatched with effortless ease and calm control by the adroit Charlie Wax - who comes complete with self-appointed catchphrase "wax on, wax off." However Wax is so far removed from Ian Fleming's famous spy it's much easier to compare him to the scoundrels Bond has faced off against: he has the hairless dome of Blofeld, the hefty frame of Goldfinger, the love of firearms like Scaramanga and the impetuousness of Xenia Onatopp. It's credit to the ageing Travolta that we still root for Wax a hundred percent of the way.

That leaves "The Tudors" star Johnathan Rhys Meyers to play the thankless straight role of by-the-book, Cambridge educated James Reece. Different is an understatement when describing what kind of star Meyers is; he always has a sinister appearance even if that is not the intention and charisma doesn't exactly ooze out of him like it does from your Brad Pitts or Shia LeBeoufs. But he has carved out a neat little resume over the last decade and deserves this, his first lead in a bona fide Hollywood blockbuster.

Big. Dumb. Fun.

3 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic)

It does go "Boom"

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 19 October 2010]

And it does do that quite a lot. Story? Believable action/human beings? Don't bother looking for them here. Because if you do bother, than you will be more than disappointed, as many reviews have shown here. Don't think this is another Leon either. This is far removed from Leon. And don't read too much into the nationalities of the characters, if that is possible.

After all this is just a movie. An action movie at that. And it does deliver on exactly that. Now maybe John Travolta wouldn't have been my first choice for the lead, maybe our lead man could've been better "fleshed" out. Maybe there are a few coincidences too much. But do you really care, if the action is shot as good as this? That comes down to your taste I guess. But you have been "warned" and you should know what you're letting yourself into.

Don't expect anything this isn't (I have to admit, the first time I heard the title, I thought this would be a romantic comedy, though it is reminiscent of Bond movies ... don't compare it to them either!) and there is a chance you will enjoy this very much (if it is your cup of tea of course).

good watch for you action junkies watch once and probably rewind, find some of the neat scenes and replay!

[tjbaus · 6/10 · 26 April 2012]

Did I expect more? Yes! Though entertaining due to its complete fiction, it is a movie you want to relax to and find comfort in the fine ways John Travolta finds to assassinate people.

Action Plot Enjoyment.

Plot is lacking and pretty average and done before, However is fairly fast paced which allows you to forget where it lacks.

Action Good solid action throughout most of the movie and even suspenseful and at one point I wanted to know what was going to happen next though I had my theories which were pretty much spot on. Car scenes are good quality but I sense they are trying to copy this from other films.

Enjoyment Definitely a good watch for you action junkies. A movie you want to watch once and probably rewind and find some of the neat scenes and replay.

6/10

A rip-roaring hoot of a movie

[Ben_Horror · 8/10 · 9 March 2010]

Jonathan Rhys Meyers works for the American Embassy in Paris and is used to performing small surveillance/spying jobs. Yet he yearns to be a member of the big league: what is referred to as 'The Club' – a buzzword for elite government agents. He gets his chance when he has to go to the airport to collect a loud, foul-mouthed colleague – John Travolta in a totally unhinged performance – who's arrived in town on a drugs bust, but later uncovers a terrorist plot. Cue: lots of witty banter, beatings and shootings galore as a reluctant Rhys Meyer's gets in over his head with his apparently unstable partner.

As you can tell from the above short outline, if you're watching this thinking you're in for a soppy love story, you'd better brace yourself for the truth: this is a violent, foul-mouthed, headache inducing shoot 'em up. It's a simple action story where – stop me if you haven't heard this before – two mismatched agents argue and bitch the entire time while spouting witty dialog at each other. But don't let that put you off: this is a deliriously entertaining buddy movie in the mold of Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout and a host of others, but with an added European flavor which serves to make it stand out from the crowd.

For a flashy, big budget movie, it's refreshingly old school. There's no dizzy 3D on display and whatever CG is present is so subtle as to be almost undetectable. In fact this movie could have been made in the late 80s/early 90s. What we get in their place is a movie that relies on the characters talking to each other rather than relying on big effects. This is like a breath of fresh air. Travolta and Rhys Meyers work really well together and are believable as the two mismatched agents: one a nervy and green rookie with no experience, the other a seasoned pro that tends to shoot first and then ask his questions. The script is very witty and there's lots of entertaining back and forth banter between the two of them.

Travolta is his typically over-the-top self in the movie - but in a good way. At times he's laugh-out-loud hilarious and puts in an energetic comedic performance. He's seems to relish the outrageous situations and the witty dialog. He runs through his familiar back catalog of high pitched 'Yeahs' and whoops and an assortment of swear words that wouldn't have been out of place in Pulp Fiction. In fact the aforementioned movie is even referenced in a throwaway line where he mentions that his favorite food is a 'Royale with cheese'. You know that an actor's recent output hasn't been of the highest quality when he has to remind us of former glories not just once, but twice: did he really think we didn't catch it the first time? Rhys Meyers is good as his straight faced, though bewildered sidekick and underplays his role to good effect. Admittedly, he has no other choice since he's playing to such a powerhouse role as Travolta's. It's clearly Travolta's show and he loves every minute of it. And why wouldn't he? This gives him the chance to play one of his most colorful characters in years.

There are lots of really good classic scenes in this movie, perhaps too many to mention: the airport interrogation room, a scene set in a Chinese restaurant and an encounter with street punks, to name just a few. The movie is brimming with entertaining moments and moves along at a breathless pace, effortlessly sweeping us in with it. So much so, in fact, that we fail to notice how… slightly… confusing… it… is… It's fair to say that this movie doesn't have your standard A-B-C plotting. Story-wise, it is - as they say - all over the shop. Still, when you're having this much fun that doesn't really matter.

It's a shame they couldn't have come up with a better title for the movie because the one they chose doesn't do it justice. While it works in the context of its Parisian setting, it may put people off. The unacquainted could unwittingly pass it up, thinking it's something else entirely. And that would be a shame because this is a highly entertaining and re-watchable gem of a movie with rapid-fire dialog and lots of preposterous situations thrown in for good measure. It's also got its share of surprises and twists. If you like witty buddy cop movies, then go out and see this, if for nothing else, then just to see Travolta back on top of his game in loud, dynamic form.

Action Flick...But Nothing Else

[hedley_33 · 3/10 · 23 February 2010]

When I viewed the trailer online when I first heard about, I thought that it looked like a cool, fast-paced action flick. Then I kept seeing the preview for it whenever I went to other movies. I concluded that it was a must-see. Well do I wish I could get my money back! I got what I wanted...a fast paced action movie. But what else did I get? Nothing.

First of all, this movie had no story at all. I can say that this movie is nothing but gun fights, swearing and killing. If you want to see a movie with a story, go somewhere else. Second, I did not like the chemistry between Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. It looked more awkward than anything, but I didn't really like them together. But, nonetheless, the action was quite spectacular, and that is one part of the movie I actually was pleased with.

Lastly, the ending was extremely cheesy and made me sit in my seat in awe. It was probably one of the worst endings I've seen. BUT, if you do love hardcore action and gun fights, then you may like this movie. If you do decide to go, turn off your mind, sit with your friends (and popcorn), and enjoy the show. If you go there expecting some sort of plot, you will be sadly disappointed.

Great comedy and action!

[i_screaminternet · 7/10 · 5 February 2010]

This was a great movie. I read a review from someone who obviously does not understand American humor-he states, "I have watched many American movie and enjoyed them but this one is a disaster." I could not disagree more. I saw a screening of this movie on January 28 and I loved it. The humor was great as was the acting (This is the best performance John Travolta has ever given in my opinion). I loved John's first appearance. He is being held in an airport because they won't allow him to go through with "energy drinks". He is arguing with a security guard (In the most irreverent way possible) and then steps in the second main character who is baffled that the government would send him to get this joke out of a situation (John has an ear pierced, a silver necklace, a shaved head and a leather jacket)that isn't even very serious. He walks in and stamps a clearance sticker onto the energy drinks and John turns around and says (to the very rude security guard), "Check mate mother ******!" You then find out what was so important about the energy drinks in the car-since it's a spoiler I won't say but it just gets better from then on.

About half way through the movie there is a huge twist that I did not see coming that was a great direction for the movie to take. This is my first movie review on here and I really don't know how this was or how long I should make it. All I can say is I liked this movie far better than The Book Of Eli or Avatar which I both loved.

Explosive Collection of Clichés

[claudio_carvalho · 4/10 · 4 September 2010]

The assistant of the American Ambassador in Paris James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is an aspirant spy working in minor jobs for the CIA. James lives with his fiancée Caroline (Kasia Smutniak) and expects to be promoted to the special operations. When James is assigned to drive the unconventional but efficient agent Charlie Wax (John Travolta) in Paris, James learns that a terrorist cell is preparing to attack the American delegation and he is close to the key element that will explode the group of representatives of his government.

"From Paris with Love" is an explosive collection of clichés with a predictable story. There are scenes supposed to be funny that do not work and there is nothing new in the plot. The good thing is the gorgeous unknown actress Kasia Smutniak. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Dupla Implacável" ("Implacable Double")

Entertaining/Funny/Predictable

[mmackh · 6/10 · 10 August 2010]

Saw it just an hour ago. It was an entertaining movie there is not much to discuss about here. The characters walked their line, the story had a little twist and the action scenes were good.

That being said, the final car chase felt like a long ad for Audi. Nokia phones were advertised heavily too, so did burgers. That did bug me a little bit.

The other thing that was a bit off, was that it felt like rush hour with the wrong cast. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Travolta and without hair I didn't recognize him at first (very funny in his role), but the usual catch phrases and fights get old. Basically it lacked innovation.

All in all, if you are in for an action packed adventure to just sit back and relax to, from Paris with love is awesome. By the way, this should definitely be labeled as an action comedy, in no way is this a straight action movie.

Score one in the good "buddy movie" column!

[garyvanhorn · 7/10 · 12 January 2011]

I'm a big fan of a well done buddy movie and From Paris With Love is just that. John Travolta is a flamboyant, nearly uncontrollable secret agent who gets paired up with Johnathen Rhys Myers, a wannabe spy working as assistant to the U.S. ambassador to France. Travolta definitely steals the show in this film, what super agent doesn't? Gun fighting, super karate, rappelling, extreme driving, and almost precognitive planning, Travolta's character does it all. Myers, for the most part, is along for the ride, asking questions and providing the audience with someone to relate to as the action keeps rolling. From Paris With Love is a fast-paced movie that is funny and action packed, both hallmarks of a well done buddy movie, one that i will definitely be adding to my collection.

Absolutey disgusting and degrading

[wjcairns · 1/10 · 3 October 2010]

And they wonder why Americans are so hated in the world. This is one of the most imperialist movies I have ever had the misfortune to witness, in which the wildest US macho fantasies are given the freest rein, doesn't matter how many slant-eyed yellow creatures you zap, as long as Uncle Sam gets what he wants, following a grossly exaggerated terrorist "threat". Plus of course the usual foul language and nauseating kissing sounds. Why this kind of garbage is allowed to sully the screens is a mystery to me. Of course, it may be that I have missed the "irony" or that this is a clever plot by Ahmedinejad to discredit the US. But somehow I doubt it. If I could give this review -100 it would still fail to convey how utterly despicable this apology for a film is.

Over-the-top mindless action.... and I loved it!

[WelshFilmCraze · 8/10 · 29 June 2012]

I wasn't expecting much when I sat down to watch 'From Paris with love' this evening, I bought the DVD for a couple of quid recently and I already knew from looking on here that it had been a Box-office disaster on its theatrical release a couple of years ago and that critics had been anything but kind, but damn it I loved it.

I'm not a fan of Travolta, which was the main reason I hadn't seen the film till now, but I was pleasantly surprised as his role as the unpredictable special agent Charlie Wax IMHO is one of his best. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is pretty wooden as expected but he didn't really need to be any great shakes for the role he took on, he fitted in well as the Chess playing aide to the U.S. Ambassador whose desperate to get a job he can really get his teeth into.

Outrageous action and explosions, plenty of violence (most of it unexpected) - with a very high body count, this is the type of Film that Luc Besson does very well. Great locations and Cinematography, and very important for Films of the genre - It's fast moving and never boring. There have been rumours of a possible sequel, but given the poor Box office returns, that, for the moment at least seems unlikely

What you're really here to find out about From Paris with Love

[vandeman-scott · 6/10 · 11 September 2020]

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE suffers from a straight-line plot, undereveloped characters, and a shallow world view. It has all the makings of a really, really terrible movie.

But once it got cranked up, which didn't take long, the time flew. It was the fastest 92 minutes I've spent in a long time, and I enjoyed every solitary second of it.

If you're looking for a complex, multilayered spy thriller a la Tom Clancy or John le Carré, this is not it. FROM PARIS WITH LOVE doesn't pretend to rise to that level, and it doesn't need to. It's unapologetically what it is: a straightforward action movie.

The charm of FROM PARIS WITH LOVE is nonstop speed, improbable gunplay, hand-to-hand brawling, and big explosions, with a litte snappy (if not overly witty) dialog added in. The filmmakers offer just enough of a plot to tie the action together and no more. The picturesque backdrop of Paris is merely a set for a thrill ride that would have worked in any other world capital with equal effect.

Travolta and Rhys-Meyers are quality actors secure enough in their talent to do exactly what the script calls for, specifically to let the action take center stage. Thankfully, they didn't try to do more. Travolta's Charlie Wax is colorful but not terribly deep, Rhys-Meyers' James Reese is earnest and imposssibly naive, and while over the top at times, their performances enhance while never stealing the spotlight from the movie's biggest star: the action.

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE is pure, exciting escapism that's not designed to be overthought. In this respect, it's a total success, so disengage your critical impulses, fasten your seat belt, and prepare to be entertained.

Cupid shoots bullets in Paris

[TheHrunting · 22 July 2011]

James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), an assistant to the US ambassador in France, is working covertly as an operative in Paris with a secret "voice" or control officer to give orders on the other end of a phone that he never meets. They're starting him out small as they want to see what he's capable of, such as planting a microphone in the conference room of the Foreign Minister to gather intelligence. He eventually wants to become special ops and his next assignment might give him all the experience he'll need after picking up his new partner Charlie Wax (Travolta) at the airport.

Right from the get-go you realize both are nearly polar opposites: Reese is step-by-step and methodical with a studied background in politics and foreign language, and Wax is spontaneous and unpredictable with know-how for combat and weaponry, not to mention a humorous slang for every situation he encounters. He's a man who doesn't turn his back to vices but like Jack Bauer from "24" or William James from "The Hurt Locker," he's able to cast his own feelings aside to get the job done at whatever the cost. Wax, being the loose cannon he is, takes his new partner on a series of misadventures through the city from drug dealers leading to gang members leading to pimps leading to terrorist cells and more spies.

Wax is an American operative who's supposed to be covert but instead tears up the shady areas of Paris to demand the info he needs because their mission is time sensitive. The audience gets to experience all these over-the-top scenes through the eyes of a new man on the job who signed on to something more dangerous than he initially expected to get himself into. Reese maintains an unsure trust with Wax but also tags along with a glued fascination to see what's around the next corner while his pretty and caring French girlfriend Caroline (Kasia Smutniak) stays at home with no idea that they're spilling copious amounts of blood and racking up a substantial body count. She just proposed to him that night with her father's ring, and now he has to make a sacrifice for the woman he loves when she gets wrapped up in the operation.

This is a rapidly moving action film with secrecy and espionage that barely has time to stop and take a breather, so it can be a little spoon fed at points and exaggerated for effect to keep things looking forward and never back. This results in some plot holes glazed over so things can conveniently line up, but, on the other hand, this manages to take serious stuff like protecting national security and turn it into a fun and wild ride more so than a couple of stiffs negotiating official business. There are car and foot chases, shoot outs, some quick hand to hand combat and then fast paced music over top to give it all charge. The viewer's perspective is through Reese, so events seem to happen so quickly that it feels like a dream sequence only to be remembered in pieces and snippets, but for the moment a massively diverting one at that. John Travolta plays the character Wax as brazen, brash and belligerent, and is able to keep you guessing about him by making you wonder if he's formulating decisions on the fly or has a game plan already in place--maybe both. "From Paris with Love" is basic entertainment in the end but an experience that feels energizing, steadily paced and ultimately unpredictable. (Also submitted on Cinema Freaks, http://docuniverse.blogspot.com)

Travolta's surprisingly awesome as an action hero

[filmnut1 · 6/10 · 2 August 2010]

The body count in Pierre Morel's FROM Paris WITH LOVE is absurd. Half of the film consists of senseless violence. Squibs explode on countless stuntmen, dummies fall down stairwells and things explode. The weak script flirts with some clever ideas but this basically all that really happens.

To accuse an action film of being just a series of energetic set-pieces seems redundant, it's what fans have come to expect, it's just a shame there isn't a little more to it. Any clever moments are lost under absurdities.

The emphasis is exclusively on the killing prowess of the hero, as was the case with similarly ultra-violent flicks like RAMBO (2008), the villains are less than one-dimensional. Great action movies need great villains and this just doesn't have one. RUSH HOUR 3 (2007), with which this film shares the Paris setting and "buddy" dynamics, was nothing special but at least it had Hiroyuki Sanada.

Where once movies like this (about two mismatched white American heroes) would have starred a pair like Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen (THE ROOKIE, 1990) or Dolph Lundgren and Brian Benben (DARK ANGEL, 1990), here we have John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. It's unusual casting but just about works. As straight-laced rookie partner to Travolta's seasoned renegade, Rhys-Meyers is better than expected but still curious choice. Perhaps they couldn't afford Jude Law.

Both Myers and Travolta are playing against their common types, but it's Travolta who makes the whole thing work. Having played a number of villains, most notably in BROKEN ARROW (1996) and FACE/OFF (1997), this is his first heroic lead and he's awesome. Drawing on those past performances, he plays a badass agent called Wax. In between gunfights he swears a lot, snorts coke and has anal sex with a prostitute (offscreen and implied by a throwaway line of dialogue). He's far from your typical action hero type.

He's also barely recognisable. His thick head of hair has been shaved off and he's got a goatee, he couldn't look less like the Travolta we're familiar with. As with case of his performances in John Woo's films, he's clearly having great fun, the attitude and energy of his performance is exciting to watch and the main reason to check this movie out.