Saturday, April 23, 2016

Review of BASTILLE DAY: Imposing and Intimidating Idris Elba

April 23, 2016



Idris Elba has been in big Marvel films like "Thor" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron", but I don't really know how he looked like without the Heimdall costume. He had a performance last year in the film "Beasts of No Nation" which triggered controversy when he was not nominated for an Oscar, but this was not shown locally. Just this year, he had been in two films, "Zootopia" and "The Jungle Book." However in both films, we only hear his deep imposing voice. With this film "Bastille Day," we finally see Idris Elba as a modern day action hero, not far from the news that he is being touted to be the next James Bond. 

Michael Mason is a skillful American thief in Paris. One day, he steals a bag from a distraught girl on the street named Zoe. After getting her cell phone and seeing nothing else of apparent value in the bag, he throws it into a garbage dump. This one seemingly innocent act led to a tragedy killing four people, triggering mass paranoia and discontent in the City of Lights. CIA operative Sean Briar goes over and beyond his assignment to get to Mason and secure him before the French Police do, uncovering an insidiously complex plot which will come to pass on Bastille Day. 

Idris Elba is as imposing and impressive as his voice was. When asked why he ran away, Mason quipped, "Don't you see how you look like?" Elba's Briar was big, macho, tough and scary, anyone would have tried to run if he comes to get him. As an agent, Briar was an independent-minded and reckless rouge to the chagrin of his CIA bosses, but to the delight of the audience. If this was a preview of how he would be as James Bond, it makes us all eager to see how Elba will transform the iconic role as his own.

Richard Madden is more known to many as the ill-fated Robb Stark on HBO's "Game of Thrones". After he bid the TV series goodbye via a bloody Red Wedding, he went on to be Prince Charming in the live action version of "Cinderella." Physically, Madden looked like a scared boy when placed side by side with the intimidating Idris Elba, which made him just right for the role of the unfortunate Mason, a guy who just so happened to steal the wrong bag. I liked the chemistry that was built between the two characters.

I was floored by the action sequences of this film, so raw with bone-crunching realism. I liked that the chase and fight scenes were not too obviously choreographed. That chase scene on the rooftops would have been flawless parkour stunts in another film. But here it was shaky and so uncertain that it created so much tension, so much better. The execution of the many twists and turns of the story was very effectively done, such that we never would have seen the climax miles away. I would not mind a sequel as the ending seemed to suggest. 8/10.


24 comments:

  1. Wow did you just copied the review from IMDB? Unless you are 3xHCCH who made the same review last April 22.

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  2. This is the type of movie that I really like. If the movie is filled with action packed sequences with rooftop chases, then I think I am definitely heading to the nearest movie house to see this. Thanks for the review.

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  3. I like Idris Elba, as well as Richard Madden. But it's actually the story line that makes me interested to watch this movie. I like to see them both in some action scenes.

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  4. Sounds fantastic. Been a fan of Idris Elba... Glad this movie has used him well..

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  5. He's been in a number if supporting roles other than the ones you've mentioned and he's a really great actor. I am interested in seeing this movie, I missed it. Thanks for the review, that's quite high!

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  6. I just love Idris and I haven't seen this movie yet. Sounds rather interesting and I'm going to make it my business to see it! Thanks for the honest review as usual.

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  7. i'm not very familiar with Idris Elba but i've watched both zootopia and jungle book! whose voice did he acted as? haven't heard of this movie coming out locally, but i guess i'll wanna watch this if it gets released here.

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  8. I'm not familiar with the cast, but I'm a sucker for a good action film. Seeing that you gave it an 8/10 rating makes me want to watch it soon! Thanks for the review Fred!

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  9. I love me some Idris!! Great review. I'm glad you gave it an 8 out of 10. Sometimes I feel like I can't watch a movie if you score it low. Haha! I will definitely be watching this.

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  10. Exciting! I've always found Idris Elba really gorgeous and very very very manly, so if the 007 rumors are true, I'd be watching! Anyhoo, will watch this one because of your high reco.

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  11. Would love to see the bone-crunching fight scenes. They made this one an intense one to follow.

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  12. This looks like such a cool movie! I really need to watch more action films! :D

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  13. Idris Elba was the tiger in Jungle Book right? Wow, so that's how he looks like. I am gonna check this movie out. I wanna see him in action

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  14. This looks like an interesting movie to watch and story line is quite impressive.

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  15. I am not familiar with Idris Elba so I really don't know what to expect in this movie. I will recommend this movie to my uncle who is an action movie junkie..😇

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  16. The film has it's action and suspence which may be enjoyed by the regular movie goer.

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  17. I saw the trailer for this film and was impressed. Definitely going to go for it when I'm free!

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  18. I think I wil watch this movie. Looks interesting enough. Thanks for the review.

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  19. Looks like some cool action sequences. Thanks for the review. Would watch it.

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  20. Richard Madden is a versatile actor. I'd like to see more of this action in this thriller movie. I guess it won't be like a James Bond film but it will be good to watch.

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  21. I've watched the trailer , and i would surely watch this once its available online, I like the bit of comedy on the scene with the thief looking his money while leaving the wallet. Is he the same guy from that movie about robots and underwater aliens, i forgot the title

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  22. Oh, I would love to watch this show just for Richard Madden! Thanks for sharing your review, I'm gonna ask my husband out for a movie date soon!

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  23. This is another action pack movie, might watch it over the long weekend holiday.

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