D13-U

DVD and Blu-Ray

Icon Films

R4 DVD

If you are a fan of the U.S. action films like the Die Hard series, try this one. The Screenwriter / Producer is Luc Besson, a French director who seems able turn out brilliant films in any genre. Direction was by Patrick Allesandrin, a relatively new director. This is his first action film and he managed to put an enthusiasm into it that is reminiscent of the Ozploitation films. D13-U is a non-stop action film in the U.S. style but the killings, bombings and violence would probably lead to savage cuts in America. The title, incidentally, is short for District 13 – Ultimatum.

D13 is District 13 in Paris. It has become a slum of immigrants, gangs and low-income workers. It is pretty much run by the gangs since the government has done nothing in the way of civic improvement. With no industries and few jobs the people have turned to the only source of income available – production and distribution of drugs. Now a development firm, Harriburton (not very subtle) wants the people removed so they can take part in a massive redevelopment of the area for middle-income workers. They are in league with Gassman, a corrupt politician.

Damien Tomasso is an honest cop working for the Dept of Internal State Security. He has just taken out a major Chinese drug lord in District 13 but while recovering at home he is raided by the police who “find” planted drugs. He manages to get a phone cal to his friend Leito and together the two break him out of prison. Leito gives Damien the bad news that whenever a corrupt government is going to do something unethical it first takes out the honest people who may put up a fight.

Gassman has orchestrated an execution of a couple of street cops and put the blame on the gangs of District 13. If law and order, such as it is, breaks down in the slum he will be able to justify razing the District.

The only way to fight him is for Damien to unite the gangs and raid the government headquarters. He can then present evidence directly to the President, who is already reluctant to bomb his own citizens.

In keeping with the style of film there is not a lot of character development, just long action scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There is enough martial arts to keep fans happy, there are lots of death-defying leaps and plenty of car crashes. I have developed a liking for Besson’s work and this film is as good as any of his that I have seen.

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