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District B13
Banlieue 13
2004 84 min France R 16+
★7.4
Action, Thriller, Science Fiction
Director: Pierre Morel
Trailers
Description
Set in the ghettos of Paris in 2010, an undercover cop and ex-thug try to infiltrate a gang in order to defuse a neutron bomb.
Budget:
$12M
US Gross:
$1.2M
Worldwide:
$11.17M
Starring
Cyril Raffaelli
Actor
David Belle
Actor
Tony D'Amario
Actor
Awards
1 win & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Banlieue 13 is widely celebrated as a quintessential action film that brought parkour to the cinematic forefront through spectacular, stunt-heavy choreography. While critics and audiences largely agree that the plot and character work are secondary, the film’s kinetic energy and visual style make it a highly effective and entertaining genre experience.
| Acting | The parkour stunts performed by David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli are the film's definitive feature, providing a level of physical authenticity that anchors the viewing experience. | |
| Pacing | The film prioritizes relentless, high-energy pacing and kinetic action sequences that keep the viewer constantly engaged. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative relies heavily on standard genre tropes and cliché-ridden character archetypes, offering little in the way of complex storytelling or deep intrigue. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some viewers appreciate its straightforward, lively, and unpretentious nature, while others find the reliance on social subtext and simple plots to be a missed opportunity for a more substantial film. |