Steineded How sad is this?

Roy Hart If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

MartinHafer Rarely do I say this, but "District B13" is well worth seeing even if its plot isn't especially memorable or even very good. This is because the stunt-work is so amazing and insane that I STILL recommend you see it.When the film begins, you learn that in the future, cities are often walled up and the scum inside are allowed to flourish--sort of like in "Escape From New York". Then you'll see the best part of the film-- one where a drug lord's men chase a guy who's stolen their stash. It's just hard to describe but the stunts seem almost super- human! There's more of this scattered throughout the film and later this guy is teamed up with a cop who's infiltrated District B13 to try to locate a bomb. But don't worry...it's all just an excuse for some crazy action scenes!The most amazing thing about this film is that I SHOULD have hated it. I am NOT an action film fan and much prefer films with great characters and interesting plots (not to be found here)...but it's done so well I just didn't mind. It's a turn off your brain and enjoy sort of movie.

Christopher Wilson It's now 2010 (being released 6 years prior) and the ghetto in Paris called District 13 has now became one of the most dangerous places in France, possibly Europe. The government has completely given upon on the borough and left its inhabitants to get on with their own devices.When an incredibly dangerous government issued missile is stolen by a gang member in District 13, go to super-cop Damien (Raffaelli) has to convince imprisoned District 13 resident Leito (Belle) to team up him. Their task, save the District from a bomb that will cause catastrophic damage. Both men are BAD ASS to say the least, not only are they tougher than most they are also experts in Parkour (a training discipline created by David Belle himself).The opening 25 minutes are some of the most enjoyable cinema I have seen in a while, it's like a wonderful mix of Asian and European martial arts styles, you have the brilliantly choreographed fights scenes and perfectly executed Parkour thanks in no part to Belle and Raffaelli's expertise.The whole film is a pure adrenaline ride penned by one of this generations greats Luc Besson the brilliant man behind "Transporter" franchise and "Leon" so you know he writing will be a nice mix of Action & Comedy. Also when you're watching the film you know they stunts are doing without CGI and it really shows in the end product, there is some action sequences in which you will physically gasp, a couple near the beginning with Leito on the run.The film itself can be broken down into three chapters I guess, the first being pure action filled thrill ride, the second would be character development, while the third is very plot heavy. I for one really enjoyed the film as a whole, wasn't the best acting at times, however that is hardly a complaint when the film is an adrenaline thrill ride like this.

Red-Barracuda The setting is the near future and the worst ghettos in Paris have been walled off to keep the inhabitants away from the rest of the city. A nuclear weapon ends up in the hands of a violent gang from this zone, leading to a cop and a ghetto vigilante being teamed together to go in and retrieve it.Produced by famous French director Luc Besson, District 13 shows his influence. It's a heavily stylised action movie, of which Besson was a bit of an exponent. But District 13 is hardly a carbon copy of his style of film-making because it has its own definite angle and personality. Its chief draw is undoubtedly the stunt and martial arts work. In these areas it truly excels. The main reason for this is that it has at its disposal two actor-stuntmen of considerable calibre. David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli are truly perfectly suited to this movie. They have the look, decent acting ability and mind-bogglingly impressive athletic prowess. They not only engage in martial arts but they run along walls, dive through tiny windows, somersault backwards through the air and jump building to building from concerning high peaks. Ultimately, they really are what the movie is all about.The story is pretty perfunctory and basic. Despite having some social commentary and an anti-government message it really is essentially mainly there to provide the basis of a kick-ass action movie. In some ways District 13 could be described as a combination between Escape from New York (1981) and Ong-Bak (2003); it has the basic plot set-up of the former with the athletic stunt work of the latter. Perhaps it loads its best moments into the opening half of the film and maybe it could have done with a more turbo-charged ending. But overall, it's a great bit of action cinema.

dave-sturm By Woo! I mean of course John Woo! But there's also John Carpenter (Escape from New York). And Don Siegel and Walter Hill And a whole host of Hollywood action directors. It's all here in an amazingly condensed 85 minutes of flat-out action.And I mean flat-out. Not a dull moment. In fact, there's not even a romantic element. The woman to be rescued is a sister, not a lover.Luc Besson, the main writer, is a name brand to be trusted. He seems to be on a quest to prove the French can make exciting violent thrillers. Which this is.The main actors are stunt men. And the stunts they perform are, and I hate to use this overused word, but I will, awesome. One shot where our hero flings himself through a transom in an escape actually looks impossible. No CGI was used.Some people should avoid this movie. That would be those who dislike subtitles. Otherwise, Those who are not hate-French-movies yokels should sit back, pop some popcorn, crack a beer and get ready for fun.