(PHOTOS) Director of “La Femme Nikita,” Luc Besson, tries to recreate his female empowerment, action success with another vengeful, femme fatale protagonist in “Colombiana.” Besson co-wrote and produced this latest project directed by Olivier Megatron. Although Zoe Saldana as Cataleya the orphan turned assassin has the makings of a refreshingly different recipe to the formulaic action hero, the script is too obvious and leaves too much unexplained to reach “Nikita” rank. The action and acrobatics are engrossing but the story is so predictable it subverts the positive elements.
Miniature Action Mavens
The start of the film is reminiscent of “Leon: The Professional,” starring a pre-teen Natalie Portman. 9-year-old Cataleya (played by 13-year-old Amandla Stenberg) watches her parents murdered in front of her and then outsmarts a group of thugs on a chase through the streets of Bogota. The cleverness and agility of the young girl is captivating although completely baffling.
The young Cataleya outmaneuvers her pursuers crashing through strangers’ homes and landing with catlike dexterity from high distances. She finally escapes through a sewer and comes out in the middle of a busy street near her intended destination, the American embassy. Although her father was involved in underworld dealings and probably mentored her in some survival tactics, the audience is left to make assumptions to justify her precocious skills. Still, the action-packed opening sets up high hopes for the remainder of the film.
Aspiring Assassin
Cataleya relocates to Chicago, to be in the care of her gangster Uncle Emilio (Cliff Curtis). Once there, the 9-year-old stubbornly requests her uncle teach her to be a killer. After he shoots up a street to teach her a lesson, it’s decided learning the psychology of one’s opponent by staying in school is a better approach than dropping out and wielding a gun. Fast forward to adult Cataleya (Zoe Saldana), a lithe, dexterous assassin whose calling card is drawing her namesake (an orchid) on her victims’ chests.
Outshines the Obvious
Saldana outshines the film. Her emotional range from vulnerable and sexual to rage-filled and homicidal are perfectly executed but without the structure of a complex and intricate plot to support her.
The elaborate fight scene near the end of the film features a towel and toothbrush used in quite imaginative and destructive ways. It is entertaining but like most of Cataleya’s talents, they hint at the training of a high-ranking operative rather than the charge of a local gangster.
Although it’s fun to watch Saldana slithering through vents and crawl spaces in skintight outfits and holding her own in action-packed shootouts, there are some glaring omissions and unexplained ostentatious displays which thwart the film’s potential.
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