Film review: Bastille Day (15) review

I’m always a fan of action-thrillers that involve a big actor playing something of a one-man army.

Be it Liam Neeson in Taken, Denzel Washington in The Equaliser or Keanu Reeves in John Wick, I enjoy the genre.

Sure, it’s becoming a little crowded, but if you can shake off their obvious shortcomings, all of the above are enjoyable offerings.

The awesome Idris Elba isn’t quite a lone wolf in James Watkins’ (The Woman in Black) Bastille Day, but it still feels like that kind of ‘one-man wrecking ball’ experience.

Here, Elba (Luther) stars as Sean Briar – a CIA agent intent on foiling a potential terrorist attack on France’s national holiday.

Briar – a shoot first ask questions later type – finds himself embroiled in a sticky web of deceit when he’s tasked with tracking down American pickpocket Michael Mason (Richard Madden – Game Of Thrones).

Mason finds himself as the chief suspect after an explosion in Paris, having unwittingly pinched an explosive bag from morally conflicted bomb mule Zoe Naville (Charlotte Le Bon – The Walk).

The group behind the attack are looking to raise France’s state of emergency and incite rioting (via a cringeworthy Twitter account) ahead of Bastille Day, with a larger plan in play.

Briar, who decides (of course) to go rogue, is forced to slowly piece the plan together by reluctantly accepting the help of Mason and Zoe – and they soon discover that more is going on than meets the eye.

Indeed, it’s pleasing that there’s an alternate take on terrorism offered here, as opposed to the somewhat xenophobic portrayal often served up by this kind of film.

I’m of the opinion that everything is better with a bit of Elba… and he’s certainly the star attraction here.

Be it the Jason Bourne-style fight scenes or his no-nonsense attitude towards his superiors, he’s very much the driving force behind Bastille Day.

Madden, who is introduced to the audience during a memorable scene that see him pickpocket a host of different people (it’s all about the distraction, we’re told) does serve as a good foil.

If you can shrug off the pair’s ropey American accents, they’re a pretty enjoyable double act.

The cast is largely strong across the board, with Kelly Reilly (Flight) and Anatol Yusef (Boardwalk Empire) joining Le Bon as other notable characters.

But the main problem with Bastille Day is that (terrorism twist aside) it brings nothing much new to the table.

If you’re a veteran of the genre, you’ll telegraph the twists and turns served up while grimacing at the laughably bad shooting skills displayed by the terrorists.

However, some of the action sequences are pretty cool.

Be it an edge-of-the-seat rooftop chase or a visceral battle in the back of a small (ish) van, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Don’t be expecting the class of Bond or Bourne, but if you enjoyed the Taken films (or indeed anything by Luc Besson) Bastille Day will certainly float your boat.

After all, who doesn’t want to watch Elba hunt down a bunch of bad guys?

Voice Verdict: 7.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Idris Elba
+ Madden leads a strong supporting cast
+ Great action
– Dodgy accents
– Nothing much new

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, April 29 to Thur, May 5)

**MET OPERA – ELEKTRA LIVE (12A AL)
5.55pm (Sat)

**THESE DAUGHTERS OF MINE (18)
6pm (Thurs), 8.30pm (Thurs)

**CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 3D (12A)
10.20am (Sat/Sun/Mon), 1.30pm (not Tue/Thurs), 5pm (daily), 8.25pm (daily)

**CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR 2D (12A)
12.25pm (not Tue/Thurs), 3.30pm (daily), 7pm (daily)

**RATCHET AND CLANK (U)
Noon (Sat/Sun/Mon), 2.10pm, (not Tue/Thurs), 4.20pm (not Mon)

**ROBINSON CRUSOE: PREVIEWS (U)
10.20am (Sat/Sun/Mon)

THE JUNGLE BOOK 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun/Mon), 12.20pm (Sat/Sun/Mon/Wed), 5.30pm (daily)

THE JUNGLE BOOK 3D (PG)
2.50pm (not Tue/Thurs), 8pm (daily)

BASTILLE DAY (15)
8.45pm (daily)

FRIEND REQUEST (15)
6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (not Thurs)

BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (12A)
5.30pm (not Sat/Thurs)

KUNG FU PANDA 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun/Mon)

ZOOTROPOLIS 2D (PG)
12.15pm (Sat/Sun/Mon), 2.45pm (not Tue/Thurs)

KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun/Mon 10a15am – Alvin & The Chipmunks 4 (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Bastille Day (12A)

SUBTITLED SHOWING
Jungle Book 2D 4.20pm (Mon)

**FREE LIST SUSPENDED