District 13: Ultimatum (R, 2010)

common sense media says

Over-the-top French action entertains despite big violence.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that District 13: Ultimatum is a violent comic book-style movie intended to inspire laughter and applause rather than anger and tension. But it's still filled with guns, drugs, and other violent images, mainly as an attempt to depict the crime-ridden, walled-off slum neighborhoods of a futuristic Paris. A sequel to the French film District B13 (2004), the movie is presented in French with English subtitles -- including translations of some swearing. Despite all the violent imagery, the two heroes generally act selflessly and for the good of others, and their martial arts skills are very impressive. Mature teens can probably handle it.

Positive messages: Although you can find some positive messages if you look for them -- such as the heroes' attempt to act for the good of others and the emphasis on enemies learning to set aside their differences and join
forces for a greater good -- the constant violence and drug content tend to complicate the message. Also, the movie has a strong political slant: The main villain works for a company called "Harriburton" and plans to blow up the slums so that he can build new buildings and profit handsomely. But the president firmly believes in the French motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" and tries to base his decisions around the needs of the poor.
Positive role models: With their unorthodox and sometimes violent methods, the heroes, along with the cast of criminals-turned-crimefighters, are complicated role models. Despite their opposing approaches, working class hero Leito and cop Damien set aside their differences to work together. They struggle hard to restore justice and fairness to the world. Likewise, they're both exceptional martial artists with determination and a clear dedication to training.
Violence: Plenty of action, fighting, and chasing, all presented in a broad, comic book-like way, with more emphasis on humor and outlandishness than on anger. Tons of guns, gunfire, and gunshot victims. One main character uses martial arts to dispatch many bad guys in violent ways. We also get stun guns and pistol-whipping, plus missiles and bombs. Brief images of dog fighting and cage fighting. One character wears a razor sharp knife blade at the end of her long ponytail.
Sex: Viewers see a couple kissing, and it's suggested that they make love, though nothing is shown on screen. A man appears shirtless, and we see a woman asleep, lying on top of him. We also see sexy female dancers in a nightclub and a brief image of two girls kissing. A man disguises himself as a serving girl -- in a skimpy outfit -- to capture some bad guys. (The close-ups of his partly naked buttocks appear to belong to a female body double.)
Language: The movie is in French. "Merde" is spoken several times, but the subtitles translate it both as "s--t" and "damn." We also hear "hell."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Secondary characters are drug dealers. Drugs and drug paraphernalia are on display throughout the movie, including bags of pot and heroin and/or cocaine. Viewers see needles and drugs being smuggled inside watermelons. Some supporting characters are said to be on drugs. The bad guys plant bags of drugs in Damien's apartment and arrest him to keep him out of the way.

More on District 13: Ultimatum

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movi's action and violence. How does watching the martial arts and parkour make you feel -- energized, inspired, repulsed, discouraged? Do you think watching this kind of movie inspires teens and adults to try some of the action or violence in real life?
  • Talk about the concept of the walled-in neighborhoods. In the future, Paris has separated and sealed off crime-ridden neighborhoods from the rest of the city. What are the effects of this act? Is it a good or bad idea? Do you see any similarities to neighborhoods today?

  • The bad guy is affiliated with a company called "Harriburton." How is this intended to mirror real life events?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In Paris of 2013, a video depicting thugs shooting up a police car hits the Internet, causing a major riot in and around the city's walled-off, crime-ridden districts. Cop Damien Tomaso (Cyril Raffaelli) is suddenly arrested for drugs (which were planted in his kitchen). He calls his old pal, Leito (David Belle), who lives in "District B13," to help break him out of prison; together they try to figure out what's going on. It turns out that the video was a setup, designed and directed by baddies from a big corporation who have an evil plan. Leito and Damien realize that they can only stop such a powerful foe by assembling a team of criminals from within the district.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

A sequel to 2004's District B13, DISTRICT 13: ULTIMATUM certainly isn't perfect. It isn't as slick or clean as its predecessor, and it stumbles a few times over the political axe it wishes to grind. And even though its heart seems to be in the right place, it uses some cartoonish stereotypes that don't seem to mix with its political ideas.

Moreover, the violence is extreme, especially in the depiction of the crime-ridden, walled-off district. But even if the martial arts and "parkour" moves seem a bit more forced this time around, they're still dazzling and exciting, and the movie manages to move briskly and cheerfully through its running time. Overall, it's solid, B-level popcorn entertainment.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Magnet Releasing
Director: Patrick Alessandrin
Cast: Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: February 5, 2010
DVD release: April 26, 2010
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: some violence, language and drug material

This review was written by Jeffrey M. Anderson
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

 
Entertaining sequel is still adrenaline-feuled fun!
With plenty of action, suspense, and humor, this is a fun action film for all! I love that the two leads are the same as the first (that doesn't always happen). Parents: There is plenty of action violence, though not a lot of blood, some nudity and language. Bottom Line: A good movie, but most likely save it as back-up. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

keanufarias123
parent of 18 year old
 
Love itt !!!!! looks like big hitt of 2010

2drocks
kid, 12 years old
 
action filled french film with little plot
parents need to know that this has plenty of comic martial arts violence. The language is often mild and drugs are often shown but never glorified. The only problem I find, except the stylized action violence, is the brief sexclub scene, where when the striper reveals that he is a male cop to the owner, he asks if he is a transestite several times. As good as this movie is, I found it hard to hold on to the plot. It's not that there was too much going on, it's that there was so little going on. The whole time you know what the plot is, you just can't feel it, plus you don't understand where it goes from there. therefore, all I saw was over the top action violence and a sense of humor that wasn't even that funny. If you're looking for stylized action violence and stunts with little plot, this is your movie, not mine. all i'm saying is that I hope this film's predecessor was much better. p.s. they barely give you enough time to catch up to the story!

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