District 13: Ultimatum

In 2004, French action thriller 'District 13' was released to widespread critical acclaim. It introduced audiences to the explosive, gymnastics-heavy world of parkour - a style of movement that involves running, jumping, and climbing over obstacles in a fluid, acrobatic manner.

Five years later, the sequel 'District 13: Ultimatum' arrived with even more adrenaline-fueled action than its predecessor. Helmed once again by director Patrick Alessandrin, the film follows a similar plot to the first: a corrupt government waging war against the residents of a poverty-stricken Parisian suburb known as District 13.

Returning to lead the charge are parkour pioneers Cyril Raffaelli and David Belle, reprising their roles as tough cop Damien and rebellious vigilante Lino respectively. The pair share a chemistry that crackles with energy, bouncing off each other in a series of spectacularly choreographed fight scenes and chase sequences.

In the wake of the events of the first movie, the government has erected a massive wall around District 13 to contain its lawless inhabitants. But the people of the district are fed up with being marginalized, and Lino has become a symbol of their resistance. A terrorist organization called the Harribals sees this as an opportunity to foment revolution, and they hijack a police van containing a bomb that they plan to detonate in the heart of Paris.

With the clock ticking, Damien and Lino team up once again to find and disarm the bomb before it's too late. Along the way, they must contend with corrupt politicians, ruthless gangsters, and a vicious criminal mastermind named Gassman (played with sinister relish by Philippe Torreton).

The plot of 'District 13: Ultimatum' is relatively simple, serving as a springboard for the film's jaw-dropping set pieces. Whether it's Lino leaping from rooftop to rooftop or Damien taking on an entire squadron of police officers single-handedly, the movie is a non-stop thrill ride from start to finish.

One particular standout sequence sees Lino and his fellow rebels attempting to infiltrate a gang's hideout by scaling the side of a building. As they climb higher and higher, the camera follows them in vertiginous fashion, capturing the dizzying heights and precarious footholds involved in their journey. It's a stunning display of physicality that leaves viewers gasping for breath.

But 'District 13: Ultimatum' isn't content to simply wow audiences with its stunts and action. It also grapples with themes of class struggle, governmental oppression, and racial tension. The film never becomes heavy-handed, but it's clear that the script is motivated by a desire to comment on the real-world issues facing modern-day France.

For all its virtues, 'District 13: Ultimatum' is not without its flaws. The performances can be a tad wooden at times, and the dialogue occasionally dips into cringe-worthy territory. Some viewers may also object to the film's occasionally brutal treatment of women, who are frequently used as little more than set dressing.

That being said, these flaws are easily outweighed by the sheer exhilaration of the film's action sequences. 'District 13: Ultimatum' is a breathless, hyperkinetic thrill ride that showcases the best of what parkour and action cinema can offer. Viewers looking for non-stop action and high-flying spectacle need look no further than this supremely entertaining sequel.