I love Luc Besson movies: “The Professional”, “The 5th Element”, and “Taken”. ”Columbiana” is his latest with returning director Oliver Megaton from “Taken” staring Liam Neeson.
This is the story of Cattleya (Zoe Saldana) , a young girl who witnesses the murder of her parents by the hands of Marco, the enforcer for Don Luis, a ruthless drug czar in Columbia. She manages to escape to America to be raised by her uncle and wants to become come a professional killer to seek revenge on Don Luis and his minions. Years later she is a notorious hitman that leaves a drawing of the Cattleya orchid (of which she is named) on her victims as a way to call out Don Luis. After 22 victims the FBI puts this detail in the news and Don Julio takes notice and orders her killed. He is in New Orleans being protected by the CIA for some reason. Little does he know she is on the prowl to track him down in a final show down where only one will walk away.
Zoe kicks ass! This was a great action/thriller. It was not just a straight up shoot out action movie, this had depth at the way she methodically planed out her hits and revenge. Far from the jungles of Pandora, she did her fighting hand to hand style. The fight scene between her and Marco (Jordi Molla’) was awesome and well choreographed. I mean you believed they were beating the shit out of each other.
The drama that played out in the movie with the FBI trying to catch her added a great element to the intensity of the film as she constantly eludes them. This movie just had all the elements to make it a believable and entertaining action flick. It was I would say a very intelligent action film. I would recommend checking this one out.
I give this movie 4 Beers.
