Director: Patrick Alessandrin

Cast:
Cyril Raffaelli
David Belle
Daniel Duval
Philippe Torreton

Synopsis:
Damien and Leito team up once again in order to save District B13 from demolition by its corrupt government.

Review:
This sequel to the hit French parkour-action film, “District B13”, returns in full force. With David Belle (inventor of parkour) and Cyril Raffaelli back in their lead roles, it is more than a welcome back to the franchise. Although Pierre Morel (director of “Taken” and the original B13 film) did not return to direct this sequel, Alessandrin takes the throne confidently.

The action is definitely still here, earning the B13 films one of the best places to find some great hand-to-hand combat and the only place to find great parkour action. Apart from the opening chase sequence in 2006’s “Casino Royale,” these are the only films that have expertly displayed the sport in unbelievably impressive and tense fashion. The best way to describe these films to who are not too interested in foreign action films is a cross between “The Transporter” and “Lethal Weapon;” where the action is more martial arts/parkour based, you still get the buddy-cop feel to the film each time Leito and Damien team up.

While the first film is still superior, this does feel a little more well-rounded as a film overall. The story is more put together and meaningful, other than just a simple task that needs to be carried out (with a twist, mind you). The plot feels more like a Luc Besson film, who has previously scribed The Transporter films, “The Professional,” and “Taken”. This film works well with its over-the-top political plot, especially as it delivers non-stop action that never gets old.

I would like to see another installment of these films because they are so much fun, same with the Transporter series. Watching these guys team up and being witness to those fantastic parkour chase/fight scenes are really something special. For those of you who are into good action flicks, check the B13 movies out. But please, watch it using subtitles…the English dub work is crap, pure unadulterated crap.

Rating: R for violence, some language and drug material
Runtime: 100 minutes

Grade: B+

Cette semaine, dans l’équipe, il y a de la raison, de la bienveillance, de l’é-pui-se-ment et des pulls à l’envers. Mais ce n’est pas tout.

The wrestler (Darren Aronofsky), Banlieue 13 ultimatum (Patrick Alessandrin), Le code a changé (Danièle Thompson), Le chant des oiseaux (Albert Serra), Au diable Staline, vive les mariés ! (Horatiu Malaele), Z32 (Avi Mograbi), Puisque nous sommes nés (Jean-Pierre Duret et Andréa Santana), La panthère rose 2 (Harald Zwart),  35 rhums (Claire Denis).

Avec Jenny, Fanny, Romain, Mathias.

Azione

Banlieue 13 due anni più tardi. Il governo è cambiato. L’isolamento si è esteso intorno alle aree considerato ghetti e alla criminalità che vi prolifera all’interno. Il traffico di droga è diviso tra cinque etnie, ognuna delle quali controlla un quartiere. Damien, esperto di arti marziali, e Leito, profondo conoscitore delle banlieue, si uniscono per combattere il caos imperante nella città.

This is actually a few days old but I haven’t seen it reported on any English film site yet. EuropaCorp has released the first bunch of official stills from the District B13 (original title B13: Banlieue 13) sequel, as well as a rather uninteresting on-set pic and the quite apocalyptic poster. Also, the French actioner, which was announced as Banlieue 14 (District B14) is now titled B13 – U: Banlieue 13 – Ultimatum (District B13 – Ultimatum), which is quite logical I guess since judging from one of the stills the film continues to take place in District B13.

I thought the first film was all kinds of stupid storywise and basically played like a beat ‘em all video game literally brought to screen, but it did boast some cool action (actually that was all the film had) and is probably responsible for all the Parkour we’ve seen in action movies recently. The sequel promises even more of the same, with Parkour stunts aplenty as can be seen in the production video diaries viewable on the official site. Read the official plot synopsis (translated by me) and view the rest of the pics after the jump.

District B13, two years later. The government has changed, but nothing else… The isolation wall – higher, bigger, farther – has stretched around the ghetto suburbs and the gangs have become even more powerful. Trafficking is now divided between five ethnic neighborhoods, each headed by a ruthless gang leader. Determined to “solve the problem” now more than ever, the secret service deliberately adds fuel to the fire. Martial arts expert cop Damien (Cyril Raffaelli) and Leïto (David Belle), capable of snaking his way in and out of the suburbs as he pleases, once again team up to save the suburbs from chaos through hardcore fights and chase scenes that defy the laws of gravity.

Parkour creator David Belle (also seen in Femme Fatale and Babylon A.D.) and stuntman Cyril Raffaelli (also seen in Live Free Or Die Hard and Kiss Of The Dragon) return in the leads whereas MC Jean Gab’1, who played Nico in the first film, plays an apparently different role in this one, that od Molko. Also included in the cast are Moussa Maaskri (Dark Portals: The Chronicles Of Vidocq), Pierre-Marie Mosconi (Rules Of Silence) and Alaa Oumouzoune (Traitor) among others. Lancôme spokesmodel Camille De Pazis (The Singer) provides the obligatory love interest/eye candy.

Due to his being busy with From Paris With Love, another EuropaCorp production, District B13 helmer Pierre Morel (also director of the supercool Taken) does not return, handing over directing duties to Patrick Alessandrin (August 15th), making this his first action film. The film was penned by producer Luc Besson, who co-wrote the original with Bibi Naceri (The Code). Filming took place in Serbia and Paris, France. B13 – U: Banlieue 13 – Ultimatum will premiere in France on February 18th, 2009.