Brick Mansions

How often is a film remade in another language ten years after the original, with the writer of the original writing it this time too, and producing it as well?  There must have been something special in the 2004 French action thriller Banlieue (District) 13, directed by Pierre Morel and written by Luc Besson & Bibi Naceri, to merit such a move. District 13 was credited with helping bring the stunt-like and highly athletic moves of Parkour (physical training style) to the big screen, thanks to co-star David Belle, who returns for Brick Mansions, as Lino, an ex-con turned community hero. Relocated to Chicago of 2018, the 2014 film is the last completed project of actor Paul Walker, who died in a car accident last November.

In the cordoned housing estate called Brick Mansions, drug dealers run rampant within. Lino reluctantly teams with Damien (Walker), an undercover cop dropped into the Brick Mansions to stop ruthless crime, while Damien equally hates the idea of teaming up with a criminal. Tremaine (RZA) is s a drug kingpin with a penchant for mouthing quotes. He cannot believe his luck when a neutron bomb literally falls in his lap, and uses it to hold the city hostage to a ransom of $30 million. He adds spice to the proceedings by kidnapping Lino’s ex-girlfriend Lola (Catalina Denis). Damien and Lino overcome their initial distrust and join hands to tackle the enemy as a duo.

Brick Mansions marks the directorial debut of editor Camille Delamarre. Some of his recent feature work includes Taken 2, Transporter 3, and Colombiana. Brick Mansions is a high profile B-grade film, with tons of break-neck action and ample doses of the Parkour style practiced by David Belle (The Family). Some of the action premises are flimsy and some incredible, but they never cease to thrill. The long scene in the beginning where Belle climbs almost everything, jumps from almost everywhere and swings on almost anything are breathtakingly engaging. Editing is the mainstay of this 90 minute exercise, and pace is of essence.

As with the original, the script is penned by French writers Bibi Naceri and The Fifth Element’s Luc Besson. Besson’s Fifth Element was a superior work and there is no point comparing it with this effort. His co-author in Brick Mansions is Larbi Naceri Bibi, who co-wrote Go Fast with Jean Marc Souvira. Bibi played the drug-dealer in the original, a role now given to rapper RZA (Wu Tang Clan, G.I. Joe 2). Initially shown as a passionate cook, the drug-lord reveals his true colours in typical gangland style. There is an interesting twist involving his character towards the end of the film. Catalina Denis puts in a spunky act. Paul Walker touches a chord and walks tall, but this not the kind of film that offers great challenges to its cast, with action being the main star.

Go expecting a thinking man’s crime thriller or a Paul Walker showpiece, and you may get disappointed. Go without expectations or to enjoy a good v/s bad action extravaganza, and you’ll be entertained.

Rating: ***

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