Colombiana Movie Review: Riveting
Zoe Saldana establishes herself as a superstar in Colombiana. She brings a quiet brutality that is part animal pursuing its prey and all woman with vulnerability and viciousness when wronged. Saldana, as Cataleya, is a killer yes, but given her life’s beginnings, expecting anything less from her would be naïve.
Saldana’s character Cataleya begins the movie at the age of nine witnessing a tragedy that will haunt her entire life: Her parents are murdered right in front of her. It sends her on foot evading the killers in a chase scene through the barrios of her Colombia hometown. It is in those opening moments that it becomes immediately clear that Colombiana is from the mind of French filmmaking team Luc Besson and Olivier Megaton.
There’s a fervor to the race for Cataleya’s freedom that is not usually seen in U.S. thrillers. It feels very Jason Bourne and rightfully so as the two films share a stunt and fight coordinator.
Once Cataleya lands in Chicago, far from harm’s way, the film allows for character development as the young girl is mentored by her uncle. She may be only nine, but she lets it be known what she wants to do with her life. “I want to be a killer,” she coolly says. And the revenge story is off and running.
The action sequences are electric. By the 15 minute mark, the astounding work of young actress Amandla Stenberg is handed off to Saldana and audiences witness her take as a hit woman working a job within the claustrophobic confines of a jail. You won’t hear a peep from us about the scene or any more of the action, for it will ruin its power. Just know this: It sizzles.
Director Megaton has captured lightning with the casting of Saldana as Cataleya. The Avatar and The Losers star establishes herself as a go-to actress with the expansive performance she exhibits in Colombiana. Through her work, we see her fierceness -- a cold-bloodedness born on the streets of Colombia. But filmmakers also allow our heroine to show a crack in her armor with a love story. She and Danny (a perfectly cast Michael Vartan) have something special, but Cataleya cannot let him get too close, for his and her safety’s sake. Screenwriter Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen with director Megaton have woven the love interest storyline that allows the audience to see Cataleya’s vulnerabilities as she battles with her never-ending effort to keep those walls of emotion firmly erected and not slip into love's grasp.
In the end, Colombiana is an action film of the highest order. It is a revenge tale, but so much more. Colombiana is also a female empowerment movie. No, the film is not in the vein of Erin Brockovich or Norma Rae in their dramatic scope and power, but it inspires in the sense of witnessing a character such as Cataleya in her relentless pursuit of justice.
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September 14th, 2011 3:43 PM
Of course this movie has bad reviews, bunch of white minded people, the only ones with nothing good to say. I actually thought this movie was really well directed, unexpected and so much fun. I did not expect to get so much fun Out of it, who ever says they shoulda studied Colombian people more Lmao to u! It's a movie deuce deuce. Go back to watching power rangers! Surrealista! Jaja...everyone don't have to like it but compare to other movies with crazy ratings, this
is one don't need the haters talking trash. Step your game up fools...Jeje nd I'm a good critic. At least not in la la land!!
September 12th, 2011 12:52 PM
Mauro the Hell with you !! While Colombia is a beautiful country is full of drug cartels and violence just like Mexico .Colombiana is a great movie zoe was great .o yea and iam Colombian decent
September 6th, 2011 2:05 PM
Bad movie, fake, you don´t know nothing about Colombia, fuck all of you an your trash movies about my lovely Country.
September 1st, 2011 2:06 PM
Does anyone know the name of the song playing when Danny and Cataleya get together? Since there isn't a soundtrack coming soon.... :( I thought this movie was edgy and exciting and although I do think there were a couple of things that didn't make a lot of logical sense, I loved it! What was the point of the discarded glove and why'd the fight scene go on for twice as long as what was necessary or believable? Who cares! The movie had a great story, all the characters were cast perfectly, and I didn't go into it with any misguided thoughts that it'd be based on a bunch of fact or reality. It's a fictional movie, not a documentary and it was supremely entertaining. I give it 4 stars.
August 31st, 2011 2:55 PM
i have to agree with chris, comming from a real colombian the kids are nothing like that . annd mostly the drug cartels. felt very fake, they shouldve studied about the people in colombia more. mostly Zoe i wasent very convinced in her acting and her character. i cant say it sucked but i cant say it was great .
August 31st, 2011 2:19 PM
I loved this movie and yes if I was Columbian I would be critical, because I see people try to potray caribbean ethinicities and the accents are horrible. However, I felt that this movie was action packed I went in no expectations just to enjoy a girls evening out. People nowadays are over thinking the plots of movies and expect too much, can we just get back to just entertaining ourselves? Daily living is stressful enough sometimes we just need to learn how to let go.
August 29th, 2011 6:05 PM
ReCommend iT !! I think Zoe Saldana waz EXCELLENT:> Mrs. Angelina JoLie finaLLy has some competition here, with what looks like Zoe did her own stunts for most of the movie and used less of a double . I reaLLy Liked this movie especiaLLy at the enDiing CrediTs with the additional song from Johnny Cash, Aww......one of My FAvorites :D
August 28th, 2011 10:55 PM
Disapointed, zoe played a colombian character unconvincing. she must have not studied her character. also it felt like watching mission immpossible/spy kids. the colombian cartels and their hittmen where never so hightech. also colombian kids are very smart and slick but not like way portraid. extremely exagerated I felt like i was sitting in the movie theater the whole movie. it sucked. also I am a real colombian.