Banlieue 13 [Blu-Ray] [Region B] (IMPORT) (No English version)

Two astonishing, jaw dropping films. The parkour is breathtaking whilst the choreography of the fights is simply brilliant, putting me in mind of Jackie Chan at his very best!The Van Gogh fight scene in D13U is worth the purchase price by itself, but there is so much more to enjoy and gasp at.D13 was remade for the American market as Brick Mansions and whilst it is OK in its own right it isn’t a patch on the original.

After seeing trailers for the first District 13 on another DVD, I thought it looked great and had to buy it - too be honest I was a little disappointed. However, that might not have been the fault of the film."From the mind of Luc Besson" said the credits: I put on the 1st film with anticipation - and just so that I didn't miss any of the action, I did something I never normally do: I switched the subtitles off and put the dubbing on. I'd seen the trailers and I wanted to see every second of all the stunts, jumps, kicks, thrills and spills. Sadly, though the action was great, the film on the whole was a let down. But with hind sight - looking back now (and after having just watched the 2nd instalment last night) I think that might have been down to the poor dubbing and my choice to watch the film without the original soundtrack.Having learnt my lesson - I eventually got round to watching the second D13 (just so I could get it off my shelf and down the 2nd hand shop TBH) and remembering my last experience, I started to watch it with the original French voice over and English subtitles - and boy did it make a difference. The story was still nonsensical, but the film just seemed better somehow (I think perhaps it is anyway. It's certainly a more interesting story) and easier to take seriously. At the time of watching the first film I didn't make the connection and just put the fact that I didn't enjoy the film down to the fact that 'it was a bad film'... but after watching D13 Ultimatum, that may not be true.I've now decided not to take the box-set down the second hand store just yet, and give the first film another go - this time with the original actor's voices and see if I enjoy it more, because overall the stunts and action in these films are quite good. Not totally amazing, but generally above par, and there's a lot of it - especially in D13 Ultimatum.They're basically switch on the TV, switch off the brain action flicks full of guns, stunts and karate kicks. And there's a very comic book fell about he whole thing; the script, the characters, the stunts, the whole film -even the cars. And anyone who's into Parkour (free running) will probably enjoy these films a lot. France, after all, is the home of the urban sport, and I suspect the whole reason these films were written and made. With that in mind though, I'd have liked to have seen, and was expecting to see more.The jury's out for me on these - I kind of enjoyed them, they had their moments and they're an OK watch. But they didn't blow me away in the way I was expecting. That said though, it's possible they're brilliant and I'm just missing something... Whatever you decide - if you buy them - just make sure you watch them as intended - without the subtitles.If this review was helpful please give it the thumbs up, and if not, please comment on why below so I can improve. Thanks for you help, and I hope I've helped you :-)

I can just recommend this double package of two high adrinaline action flicks. The films are a lot of fun: very stylish, strong, offering entertaining martial arts scenes and the birth of "parcours running" in action films (adapted in "Casino Royale").This two disc set surprised me with a high quality package. Normally I do not buy double discs at all. But in this case the design of the cover and inlay manage to refelct the close connection of both films (the second begins where the first ends). Picture and sound are fine: D13 = very good (sharp and offering much more detail than the dvd) = DolbyDigital 5.1 English/French; D13: Ultimatum = close to reference (very sharp and dimensional) = DTS-HD-Master 5.1 French/English.Suggestions:a) Choose the original French tracks (subtitles are decently put within the picture and not in the black bars). Dubbing is never a good thing.b) The French track for D13 (Part One) seems to be weaker in comparison to the English dubbed version: it is not! Just turn up the volume and it sounds exactly as powerful as the other one.c) Even if you like low frequencies (and I do) you should turn down the bass for the French HD-Master-Track a bit (-2/3db). Then the whole track sounds more natural and you can enjoy the action instead of feeling like a teenager at the techno disco.Have a good time with these two fine discs!

I am an absolute fan of French films. Well on Film 4 the other night they showed a French film, District 13, which is absolutely fantastic.It is a blend of outstanding Parkour (free running) action, futuristic science fiction and supreme martial art action combined.If you can appreciate:> Magnificent Parkour physical talent> Diversity in martial arts talent.. then this movie will gobsmack you.Being an amateur martial artist myself (Eskrima/mild karate mostly), I can more than appreciate how every single individual can present a very unique angle and stance of martial art.If you are only familiar with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris then you haven't really seen what diversity in martial arts can present.The main star of this film, Cyril Raffaelli, presented to me not only unimaginable Parkour talent but a very solid yet graceful style of martial arts, which when combined together leave your jaw a thousand miles beneath your feet.Although I recognised a handful of his moves, for the most part his method and approach to combat was very firm, very surprising and of a very absolute deliverance. His movements were absolutely unique and fantastic entertainment to watch.So after watching that film I was considering buying the DVD. Then, the following night I was flicking through the channels and to my delight Film 4 were showing another film starring Cyril Raffaelli - District 13: Ultimatum. This turned out to be a sequel to District 13 and yet again it was filled with yet more outstanding Parkour, martial arts and edge-of-your-seat action.I'd say I was more into the first movie, but the sequel is still more than worth watching since it presents not just more of the same talents but in yet more different ways.