The Nest (2002)

You won't be disappointed!

Sadly Over-hyped

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Director and writer Florent Emilio Siri has created a gem in The Nest.Starring Samy Naceri who has also been in another classic flick, Leon: The Professional 1994.Also starring Benoit Magimel who was also in another classic French crime flick, Crime Insiders 2007.Also starring Nadia Fares who was also in another classic flick, Storm Warning 2007.I enjoyed the cinematography, set designs and the shootouts.If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic French crime flicks, 13th District 2004, Kiss of the Dragon 2001, Point Blank 2010, Chrysalis 2007, The Prey 2011, Mea culpa 2014, Sleepless Night 2011, Bastille Day 2016, Braqueurs 2015, The Lookout 2012, From Paris with Love 2010, The Snake 2006, French Connection II 1975 and Ronin 1998.

I love a good French actioner (The Transporter and the Taxi films being a case in point) so was looking forward to seeing this.I was a bit disappointed that it took so long for the situation to be set up. You already know from reading the DVD sleeve what the plot is going to be - yet it takes 30 minutes for the characters to arrive at the warehouse.The action direction had some good set pieces but was at times choppy and confusing - and the film ended rather abruptly.Still a very stylish and cool film - and I went straight out and bought the director's next film, Hostage starring Bruce Willis.

Supercops and mini-bandits, united by the destiny to deal with some dangerous Mafioso, the kind of guys who seem to have no problems to kill, to obligated young girls to prostitute themselves, to make drug traffic. First the cops: Laborie, a woman, a mother, but also the chief of the mission, then Giovanni the Italian police officer, a family man, and finally Winfried the German police officer, hiding his fear behind the orders he receives. Then the young robbers: Santino, the worried one, Nasser, the charismatic leader, Selim the funny guy, Martial the acrobat, and Nadia the female-computer-specialist. All united to fight Abedin Nexhep, a criminal who the cops are missioned to take to the international tribunal of Europe, in Strasbourg. The killers who want to free Nexhep will surround their refuge. What will happen? They will all become heroes.

One doesn't (when one is American, at least) expect to get glossy, high-budget action films from the French; I didn't realize they even MADE this kind of movie. Do industry folk believe that foreign action films won't travel well or be able to compete with similar Hollywood product? If so, I'm surprised THE NEST didn't change all that. (Maybe it went straight to DVD here in the US.) Whatever the reason, this superior example of tight, twisty action film-making is worth recommending to anybody interested. Boasting a great plot, better than average writing and acting, and knockout direction, the film involves four sets of people--two of them lawbreakers, the other two law enforcers, whom chance and a little coincidence bring together with frightening, violent, bloody and surprisingly believable results. Most of the action is confined to one huge warehouse, and the director manages to eek out every bit of surprise, suspense and clever logistics from this unusual location. I have not seen as good a film of this type since the original "Die Hard."An ensemble piece using a terrific group of actors, the movie waits until its close to list its cast. I was so involved by the logistics and fast pace that I failed to recognize several of my favorite French actors: Benoit Magimel ("The Piano Teacher," "The King Dances"), Pascal Greggory ("Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train"), and Sami Bouajila ("The Adventures of Felix"). Director Florent Emilio Siri has a new film coming out next year ("The Hostage"); on the basis of his "Nest," I can't wait.Note: the DVD comes in its original French language with English subtitles and with an English dubbed alternative--which I have heard is badly done. This is NOT a dialog-heavy movie (most actions films aren't) so try it with the subtitles. I did--and was hooked from start to finish.