Anthony Smith3
RegularOP
511 messages
joined May 2009
From Russia with Love (2010) 4,5/5 - Trailer.
Honestly, this is easily the most fun action flick I’ve seen all year—though, let's be real, the year just started, so anything could happen. I’ll also admit that "From Russia with Love" is actually a tiny bit better and way more entertaining than the hyped-up "Taken" from the same director/writer/producer crew. Here’s why.
Look, I’ll be real: I wasn't expecting anything more than a high-octane action blast. Since Besson and his writing partner Robert Mark Kamen have basically carved out a niche over the last few years making these kinds of flicks—simple, predictable stories driven by pure style—I figured I was in for a good time. They haven't let me down yet with stuff like The Transporter series (well, except for the third one), District 13, Kiss of the Dragon, or Taken, so I went in hoping this would hit the same way. And honestly? It did.
This one centers on a terrorist plot, which makes it pretty obvious who’s targeting whom and why. Honestly, by the end, I felt like the whole story—especially that finale—was a massive throwback to the 1997 American film "Shiri." Anyone who's seen both, or plans to, will know exactly what I'm talking about. Seriously, go watch "Shiri," you won't regret it.
Like I said, the main draw here is the intense, stylish action. Plus, you get a totally wasted and hilarious John Travolta dropping lines that feel like they were ripped straight out of a classic 80s or 90s action flick—think Bruce Willis playing John McClane in Die Hard.
Just like I figured from the trailers, Travolta is absolutely killing it here. He’s got this gritty, cool vibe—totally unhinged, wild, and having a blast playing this mashup of Dirty Harry, Rambo, John McClane, and Jack Bauer all rolled into one. Honestly, he hasn't felt this relaxed or fun since Face/Off. Playing villains or those chaotic, crazy characters has always been his sweet spot anyway. Just look back at Pulp Fiction, Broken Arrow, Swordfish, or even Face/Off, where he just completely crushed it regardless of how the movies turned out.
Honestly, his co-star, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, is way too weak and subdued here. There are moments where he just feels totally unconvincing, though somehow he manages to hold his own alongside Travolta to make the whole thing work. Even though this is technically a buddy film, let's be real—it's basically a Travolta one-man show, and he absolutely kills it. Maybe picking someone else to play his partner would’ve been a better call, but who knows now?
Pierre Morel killed it again with the directing here, honestly even slightly better than his work on Taken. While the action in Taken was fast and intense—maybe even a little too chaotic to follow—this one hits differently. It’s still punchy with those quick cuts, but it’s way easier to track what's actually happening. Morel throws in some cool slow-mo shots every now and then that give it this awesome comic book vibe. It feels like a solid mix of The Transporter and Taken.
Look, if you live for action and loved movies like The Transporter or Taken, or if you’re a fan of John Travolta pulling wild stunts in stuff like Face/Off, you seriously shouldn't miss this one—you'll have a blast. If that's not your vibe, just skip it. Personally, I had a killer time and honestly wish there was a sequel, even though we probably won't see one.
