It’s been a while since my last action film, but this one had Idris Elba (for whom I have a soft spot) in it, so why not? Bastille Day follows the story of a bombing taking place in Paris, on the eve of their national day.
From the first minutes we are introduced to one of the main characters – Michael Mason (Richard Madden) who seems to be making a very decent living from pickpocketing people in the capital. He knows the right places, the high end events and has some really good looking accomplices who make things easier for him. Zoe Naville (Charlotte Le Bon) is the chosen one, made to feel special for being selected to carry out the task of bombing a key building. However, what she didn’t know was that the masterminds of the plan didn’t care much about casualties. She did, which eventually messed up their whole plan. Add Michael to this equation, stealing her bag and placing it in a very public place, and you have a terrorist attack spreading terror in France’s capital.
Of course, as in all similar situations, the CIA can’t keep to themselves out of it and so enters Agent Sean Briar (Idris Elba). This somewhat insubordinate agent is the one chosen to go find Michael in order to bring him in. However, go figure, Sean has a mind of his own and ends up going against the terrorists, the French police and whoever else plans to stand in his way. Eventually these three misfits do go against everyone and everything in order to make things right.
Bastille Day is the type of film which keeps the momentum going, and so managing to keep the audience captivated constantly. The story might not be the most enrapturing one, but the fight scenes and the explosions taking place all the time make up for it. You have a bit of politics here in there, but it’s clear what the focus on the film is – action scenes.
Idris Elba is a mountain and fits the role perfectly. Tough looking and not very open to any form of nonsense, there is no doubt in his choices, he is there and he feels responsible for how things are going to happen. Even if strange to hear him talk with an American accent, my brain kept on going “I am sure I wouldn’t want to mess with that guy!”, and probably that’s how you should feel when it comes to any form of secret services. He is the embodiment of the crazy yet politically correct agent who gets the job done, but scares you while doing it.
“Sean Briar: You ran, innocent people don’t run.
Michael Mason: Have you seen yourself? You’d run too!“
Zoe is the one who changes the most as the story progresses. If at the beginning we meet a shy and insecure young woman, by the end of the film she throws punches in a van together with the guys and is the one to provide the incentive which gets the created revolution going. Charlotte Le Bon, probably also thanks to her quite fragile built, managed to convey that vulnerability easily but also knew how to step up her game towards the end.
Most of us know Richard Madden from Game of Thrones where, probably because of how he was dressed, looked way better built. Here, next to Idris Elba, he’s more of a Robin to Batman. However, what he did manage to underline was the skills his character possesses – quick hands, dry humor and a very clever mind. Madden managed to convey that mix of arrogance and niceness which gave him an edge, one well suited to his character.
If you are looking for a movie full of pushes and shoves, which has some sort of a fight happening constantly, Bastille Day will do it for you.
Bastille Day is out in cinemas now.
