Cyril Raffaelli & David Belle in the movie District 13: Ultimatum

On the heels of "From Paris With Love" is "District 13: Ultimatum," more frenzied action from style-conscious Gallic popcorn impresario Luc Besson, and a follow-up to 2004's "District B13."

That cult hit (directed by of "From Paris With Love") took the reality of France's immigrant unrest and devised a future Paris in which the government has cynically walled off the most gang-infested and racially charged ghettos.

The tasty filling to that superficially political shell, though, was its showcasing of the gymnastically vigorous, obstacle-hurdling sport called parkour.

This time, with Besson scripting / producing and Patrick Alessandrin directing, it amounts to a raucous and colorfully junky helping of seconds.

Returning for more acrobatic combat unburdened by vertical challenges -- including a car making its way to, and through, the second floor of police headquarters -- are unlikely partners Damien (Cyril Raffaelli), an undercover super-cop, and antidrug vigilante and district resident Leito (David Belle, an originator of parkour).

Their mission may be preventing a secret cadre of corrupt cops, politicians and developers from stoking civil strife inside the titular zone for their own capitalistic ends, but the only explosiveness moviegoers will care about is stunt-worthy: Raffaelli dexterously fending off attackers while protecting a valuable Van Gogh, or Belle navigating rooftop gaps, walls and tight-squeeze passageways.

 

MPAA rating: R (for some violence, language and drug material).

Running time: 1:41.

Cast: Cyril Raffaelli (Damien); David Belle (Leito); Philippe Torreton (French president); Daniel Duval (Walter Gassman).

Credits: Directed by Patrick Alessandrin; written and produced by Luc Besson. A Magnolia Pictures release.

District 13: Ultimatum Movie Review - Cyril Raffaelli & David Belle