DVD available at Amazon.com
Director:
Pierre Morel
Cast:
Cyril Raffaelli”¦”¦”¦Damien
David Belle”¦”¦”¦.Leito
Tony D’Amario”¦”¦”¦.K2
Bibi Naceri”¦”¦”¦.Taha
Dany Verissimo”¦”¦”¦Lola
Europacorp presents District 13. Written by Luc Besson and Bibi Naceri, based on an original idea by Besson with Tony D’Amario, Bibi Naceri and Danny Verissmo. Running time: 84 minutes. Rated R (for strong violence, some drug content and language). DVD release date: September 5, 2006. MSRP: $26.98.
Several years ago Nike had an ad campaign for some slip-on running shoes that featured men clearing the gaps in between rooftops. The maneuvers, while depth defying, are movements from a discipline called Parkour. Originating from France, it requires the participant — called a traceur — to pass obstacles in the fastest and most direct manner. The physical activity encompasses such skills as jumping, vaulting, and climbing, and is often practiced in urban surroundings where buildings, walls and stairwells are easily accessible.
Why is this important? One of the stars of District B13 (Banlieue 13), David Belle, is the founder of Parkour and its most famous habitué. His physical athleticism matched with creative mind of Luc Besson (Leon, The Fifth Element) creates a scene-stealing array of stunts that do not require the use of wires or special effects. The action is so unimaginable, words don’t do it justice.
Fast and intense, the movie is light on plot, emphasizing style. It’s not Shakespeare and it’s not meant to be. The visuals and quick edits are so overwhelming that you will be left will little time to worry about character development or story arcs.
The year is 2013, the setting Paris. District B13 is an area so maligned with crime that the government has decided to isolate it from the rest of the city. The walls surrounding the neighborhood act as a defense measure to keep the vagrants and criminals in, while everybody else maintains the status quo. B13 is so unruly and high-risk that buildings have been abandoned and public services — like, post offices and schools — have shut down. Not mincing words, our protagonist is introduced in swift fashion as we see him forcing a stash of drugs down a bathtub drain with running water and cleaning solvents. Leito (David Belle) is his name, and he’s engaged in a mini war with local drug lord Taha (Bibi Naceri). Taha is trying to peddle drugs in his vicinity, and Leito will have none of it.
On the run like greased lighting, Leito evades Taha’s nameless thugs, who show up unannounced, as he shows off his agility. But his elusiveness comes at a heavy price; his sister Lola (Dany Verissimo) is kidnapped. Flash-forward to six months later and an undercover cop, Damien (Cyril Raffaelli), is infiltrating the drug ring, working his way up the food chain. When he learns thugs in B13 have come into possession of an explosive device that is set to detonate in less than 24 hours, Damien must reluctantly partner with the only one who knows the layout of Taha’s compound. The two must work as a team if Damien wants to diffuse the explosive, and Leito to rescue his sister.
Both Damien and Leito make an unlikely pair: a cop and criminal. Like Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy, only with greater dexterity and less comic relief. Raffaelli is a powder keg as the cop Damien. A background in both gymnastics and the martial arts — karate, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian ju-jitsu, to name a few — were the catalysts for him becoming a movie stuntman. He has been a body double for Jean-Claude Van Damme, and has performed stunts in a number of Luc Besson productions. His technique is methodical, while his co-star could be best described as a boxer. Belle is lean and mean as he dodges opponents, but when pushed to the limits he will react in haste.
Having worked with Besson on popcorn entertainment like The Transporter and Danny the Dog (known as Unleashed, here in States), cinematographer Pierre Morel grips the reigns and sits in the directo’s chair for the very first time. His previous work definitely shows, as the shots, short as they may last, are meticulous with detail. This urban wasteland is elaborate with stylish cars and a soundtrack that helps accentuate the movie’s hip, techno pulse.
District B13 is not a truly original idea, having borrowed from John Carpente’s Escape from New York, which was inspired by Big Jake. But the fight sequences are so choice. Proving there is such a thing as a one-man army, Damien busts up a casino leaving a pile of bodies (and broken bones) in his wake. Leito knows District B13 so well, he can gracefully leap across high-rises, through windows and glide down stairwells, and not get a scratch. This is but a small sampling of the breathtaking action that comprises the leave-your-brain-at-the-door action opus.
THE VIDEO
(Presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen)
Like the action-packed movie itself, the video transfer is a real knockout. This superb presentation boasts a clean image, as issues like pixilation and grain appear non-existent. Plus, the THX certification graphic that plays before the fade from black is as good any stamp of approval.
THE AUDIO
(English and French 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 EX)
Boasting quite an audio set-up, the mixes pack quite a punch. Surround sound is strong in both the original French 5.1 and English dub. For those who are not audiophiles and have a standard set-up, the DVD also includes 2.0 mixes in English and French. The techno beats and dialogue are clear, and the sound effects will reverberate throughout your speakers. District B13 also includes optional English and Spanish subtitles for the main feature, while English subtitles are removable during the French-spoken extras.
SPECIAL FEATURES
For most of its releases Magnolia Pictures isn’t heavy on extras. But thankfully the studio thought fit to include an exhaustive behind-the-scenes documentary (54:42) about the making of District B13. Most making-ofs are pre-packaged fluff with the actors glad-handing each other about the production. Here we get interviews and sound bites from the cast and crew, but more importantly we get a closer look at how the fights were shot and choreographed. Footage from the opening chase and the casino scene illustrate the effort it took to make each scene look so flawless. Amazingly, it only took three months to shoot.
For those who enjoyed watching the casino brawl the first time, and seeing how it was created in the making-of, one of the extras is an extended version of the fight. It’s close to two-and-a-half minutes and is in rough cut form.
Also included in the special features section is a blooper reel (2:55) with flubbed lines and botched stunts, as well as a collection of trailers advertising other Magnolia Home Entertainment titles.
The Inside Pulse
For those who dismiss 80-minute movies because you believe you won’t get your money’s worth, well think again. District B13 is a kinetic action flick filled with amazing stunts. The plot is convoluted, but contains a social message. Many will dismiss the message, and instead look forward to the next astonishing wham-bam sequence. The presentation is top-notch, especially the picture and sound quality, and a good behind-the-scenes doc. If you like Unleashed or The Transporter series, this is definitely a movie worth finding on DVD.
