Several weeks ago I went to watch Bastille Day, a fast-paced action film set in Paris, with an underlying terrorist plot that hits close to home. Idris Elba stars in a role that was made for him, a gutsy reckless but very good CIA field agent, making Bastille Day basically an extended audition tape for the next James Bond. It's an entertaining watch that doesn't try too hard and that you don't really have to pay too much attention to - and you get to see Elba being an all-round general bad-ass.

When pickpocket Michael Mason (Richard Madden) steals a bag that's much more than just a bag (spoiler alert: it's explosive), he accidentally walks straight into a much wider plot and large-scale conspiracy.  As a wanted man wanted by both Elba's character Sean Briar, and the French authorities, the two form an unlikely double act. The plot is a sensitive one, given the timing, but upon closer inspection it is fundamentally quite different. With French and American authorities both investigating the case, there's an element of political nature and government, trust, and It soon becomes Mason and Briar vs. everyone else. Like White House Down, San Andreas, and Taken, it's essentially a kickass one man show, but this time there is available help in the form of some very, very sweet pick-pocketing skills. There's also supporting cast in the form of a frail-but-feisty Charlotte le Bon who has a few (albeit limited) moments to shine,

Elba is this huge force of nature and hulk of a man, and there are many scenes where he just bulldozes any opposition like a boss. Then it's like the producers saw it, liked it, and duplicated it over and over again. It's ridden with cliches, but that's ok because you don't watch it expecting the world. I don't say this very often, but formulaic can be good. Having said that, it's all is not as it seems so don't take everything you see. Plus, Bastille Day manages to make it triumphant. There was even applause at one point.

The stereotypical action film villain and ringleader of the pack is menacing enough, but becomes a bit of a parody with lines such as "upload the final hashtag". (What a 21st century film indeed.) The French characters pretty much narrate all of their hopes and dreams in their script, often spelling things out a bit too much: "oh, this should send them over the edge." (Referring to the hashtags there.) Subtlety simply does not exist in this film.

Despite a somewhat, vaguely, kind of thought-provoking story, to be frankly honest we're all there for the great action scenes. Bastille Day doesn't disappoint with its hand-to-hand combat and one almost-Bourne rooftop chase. Even with a budget that doesn't break the Hollywood bank, it has produced a feel-good action film with enough going on to keep you interested. It's ridiculously, shamelessly over the top. And then some.

Acting-wise, there aren't many dimensions: we don't see the heartfelt emotional back story of Briar - but uh, I'm not really looking for one? Idris Elba aces the role, not that it's particularly difficult for him. The Bond comparisons will go through the roof, but he's playing a brash, not slick, type. He joins the likes of Liam Neeson (Taken), Dwayne Johnson (San Andreas), Bruce Willis (All the Die Hards) and Matt Damon (Bourne) as the lead in a one-man show of simply 'owning' every person they encounter. On top of all the French, we're also treated to slightly dubious American accents from two Brits, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of doubt.

The script will keep you entertained and laughing (sometimes with them, sometimes at them).  Although Bastille Day is being released nowhere near actual Bastille Day in July, it's probably good as it keeps it firmly in the film world...slightly separate from what is going on in the real world right now.  It's nothing groundbreaking in terms of plot (and the film is well aware of this), but it has enough twists and turns to keep you on edge. Sit back, relax, and get ready for an exhilarating 92 minutes!



Bastille Day is in UK cinemas on Friday 22nd April.