Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • February 17, 2010 ‘From Paris with Love’ is live-action cartoon by Dennis Seuling “From Paris with Love” is an instantly forgettable movie. With a larger-than-life central character and enough explo- sions and gunfire to give “Scarface” a run for its money, it is the ultimate popcorn film. It feeds viewers’ instant gratification, yet leaves them starving for intelligence, wit, and cohesion. James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), an aide to the American ambassador to France (Richard Durden), is a low-level CIA agent who has dreams of moving on to a more significant role in the agency. He gets a trial assign- ment to partner with CIA veteran Charlie Wax (John Tra- volta), who has come to France to dispatch a terrorist-based drug ring headquartered in Paris. Hardly a low-profile agent, Wax almost immediately engages in a gunfight in a Chinese restaurant where he singlehandedly kills a dozen or so bad guys. This is just the beginning. From that point on, “From Paris with Love” is a series of action sequences complete with machine gun fire, rocket launchers, explosions, and chases. The pace never lets up, and the movie becomes a cinematic comic book with impossible exploits becoming the norm. Rhys Meyers (“Match Point,” “Bend it Like Beckham”) The Best Got Better! State Line Charlie Wax (John Travolta, left) and James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) join forces in ‘From Paris with Love.’ Diner - Restaurant 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah 201-529-3353 Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino 1 2 $ 00 $ 00 Off Off On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. VT is a fine actor who seems an odd fit for this kinetic foray into mayhem. He is more at home in sensitive, thought- ful roles. Because Travolta does not appear until about 20 minutes in, viewers get a chance to know the Reece char- acter before Travolta completely dominates the picture. Efficient, ambitious, eager to please, conservative in dress and manner, Reece is the ambassador’s fair-haired boy. He has a beautiful girlfriend, Caroline (Kasia Smutniak), and a bright future ahead of him. Unfortunately, once Travol- ta’s Wax enters, the script demotes Reece to mere sidekick, eyes agape as he ducks bullets and watches Wax’s unortho- dox methods of getting the job done. Travolta has done some very good films and some pretty bad ones. “From Paris with Love” falls into the latter cat- egory. An immensely likable actor, he squanders the affec- tion of his fan base by taking on such dismal projects as “Old Dogs,” the inferior remake of “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” and “Wild Hogs.” Sure, “Pulp Fiction” revived his moribund career, but with the exception of his wonderful performance as Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray,” he contin- ues to accept substandard scripts. Director Luc Besson (“Taken,” “La Femme Nikita”) is no stranger to action cinema. Here, however, he has put the story on the back burner in favor of action, resulting in an empty movie-going experience. Action is fine if it is at the service of a good story, but when it is slapped together for the sake of endless thrills, the impact is soon dulled. Rated R, “From Paris with Love” has the skeleton of a good movie and a sketch of interesting characters, but falls apart, becoming a celluloid version of “Action Comics.” On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. VT K IRK E RS INN TOP GERMAN AMERICAN RESTAURANT IN BERGEN & PASSAIC COUNTIES Sauerbrauten • Schnitzels • Bavarian Sausages Goulash • Potato Pancakes • Dumplings Spaetzel and more. GERMAN FULL BEERS ON TAP Plus Our Regular Menu • Reservations Suggested BAR Open Monday-Saturday – Noon-Midnight • Closed Sunday www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700 Treat Yourself ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������