Bastille Day (2016)

Good movie but grossly overrated

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Originally titled 'Bastille Day', however due to a recent attack at the time of its release it was apt to rename this crime thriller. Regardless, changing the title cannot amend the noticeable flaws that hinder what could've been an exciting thrill ride. A thief, gifted with sleight of hand talents, steals a bag which happens to contain a bomb. Now on the run from governmental agencies, he teams up with an American agent to stop the real perpetrators. There is a political message hiding beneath the action, revolutionising against fascism. Riots spawn, security increase and Idris Elba running across rooftops as he protects the Parisian streets from terrorism. I think we can all learn from him in one way or another. But yes, revolutionary message aside this is simply just generic and unfortunately rather forgettable. Elba is a leading actor, we've seen his capabilities before and to some extent he is the main appeal here. The hand-to-hand choreography is well executed, although haphazardly edited occasionally, and does enhance the action required to elevate the story. Madden on the other hand is a beautiful creature, but that's not enough to redeem the monotony in his acting. Le Bon and Reilly were criminally underused, particularly the latter. The plot is easy enough to follow for the average viewer however doesn't exactly provide many thrills for those who have watched similar films before. And that's the main issue, its genericism doesn't differentiate itself above the rest making it quickly forgettable. One twist was well executed however the rest of the plot was predictable. On the flip side, it's a well structured narrative that makes its ninety minute runtime fly by. Even if the first and second acts are uninspired cat and mouse chases. Overall, The Take simply just takes up your time giving you limited thrills. Clean direction, serviceable acting and well executed action can't save a dull predictable plot. Oh, and stay for the credits song, our boy Elba is also musically talented!

Bastille Day, as it was originally titled for release, is so badly crafted it never reaches the status of a real action feature film. On the whole it is hardly worth more than direct-to-video stuff.Sure action scenes are well done and some plot twists are nice, but the result is just a rushed up series of action scenes and transition/exposition talk scenes. To me it looks like the director is good at shooting music videos or short clips but is totally at a loss with the idea of creating a real rhythm spanning 90 minutes or so.Idris Elba is underused, as usual in movies, so he is not able to bring much more life to that stubborn reckless character. The rest of the cast is OK, they also have very little to work on.Worst of all is the plot. Although some twists revealing part of it are good, in the end it only succeeds in being both nauseous and stupid. Bastille Day graduates here into the Z movie realm: just don't be fooled by the budget and competent cast, producers wanted a quickie and they got what they deserved with this stinking quickie.

I was trying to work in a 'Taken' pun somewhere, but, try as I might, 'The Take' isn't that much like Liam Neeson's 'Taken' saga to warrant its inclusion. If you want to know what 'The Take' is like then I'd describe it as one of those – oh-what-do-you-call-them – type films. In other words, those films that fall into that middle-of-the-road category that you watch because you kind of like them, but probably won't remember them in X amount of days.The only thing that makes it less forgettable than the rest is the ever-reliable Idris Elba who plays a CIA agent based in a European city (which I think was Paris, however it's been over a week since I watched the film, so details are already a little bit sketchy!). Anyway, a young thief (played by Richard Madden who was best-known for his 'Rob Stark' in 'Game of Thrones') accidentally steals a handbag containing a terrorist's bomb (see, kids? Crime doesn't pay!). So, when it goes off, all the authorities think it's him. Luckily Mr Elba can see the thief through the smoke and picks him up first, allowing the pair of them a little time to clear the thief's name, bring the real culprits to justice and also stop another attack on the capital. All in a day's work for Idris.So, expect the shoot-outs, expect the car chases and expect a reasonable amount of banter between the straight-laced Idris and the anti-hero Madden. I know I'm being a little flippant when I'm describing it, but it's a decent enough affair. It has everything you'll want from a thriller, with the possible exception of originality. It's nothing you haven't seen before (sometimes better, sometimes worse). The two leads play off each other well enough to at least make this worth a watch. How many times you'll want to watch it afterwards may be another matter.If you're a fan of either of the two main leads, or just can't get enough of those films that – sort of – feel a bit like the 'Bourne' franchise (i.e. chases across European cities pursued by rogue agents) then you may get more than most out of this flick. Otherwise, it's basically one of those 'rent-before-you-buy' type films. If it's on Netflix or Amazon Instant video – it should fill a gap in your viewing schedule.

The Take also known as Bastille Day is a cheap action film that showcases Idris Elba as the next action star in a movie with a decent direction and performances. This film had the potential of being better if they improved with the script, direction, and even having a thicker plot. The plot follows a pickpocketing Michael (Richard Madden), who steals from others on the streets of Paris. With his skill of distracting people and being unnoticed and skilled as a thief. He steals from a young lady Zoe (Charlotte Le Bon) handbag and walks away unnoticed. Only to be disappointed with a phone and a small teddy bear. He leaves the bag behind a trashcan. And the bag explodes creating chaos on the streets of Paris. CIA operative Sean (Idris Elba) is on the hunt for Michael before the Paris officials can take him in. With Michael on the run from the CIA and the police. He will need the help from Sean to clear out his name by finding Zoe and escaping from a group of bad guys that want to cause chaos. It is a decent action film that I thought it was better than expected. Idris Elba and Richard Madden teaming up as they try to put the pieces together of the bad guys motivation. The chemistry with the characters like Idris playing a guy that has secrets and is good at what he does with his job. Richard playing a lying thief, and gives a lie about what he wants to do with his life. Then, there is Zoe (Charlotte Le Bon) who is caught up with being forced to set the bomb in place but fails too because she does not want to hurt people. The film has plenty of chases and action sequences to make up for a disappointing plot. Idris Elba, Richard Madden, and Charlotte Le Bon are talented actors but being given with a decent script to work with. I also found the plot to be quite disappointing with using the idea of terrorism. A group of guys that want to place fear into the city by causing chaos and anarchy. Lets throw in a few corruptions with the law enforcement. As the movie progresses, the plot become less and less interesting as there motivations are revealed. With this type of movie on a short run time of an hour and thirty minutes. Its one of those things that you can watch if you really have nothing to see or pick it up as a rental. The movie could have been so much more with a smart direction, and better script.