The Great Challenge

[jadecat]

Over the weekend Hubby and I watched The Great Challenge, a movie we saw a preview for awhile ago. The preview really didn't do justice to the plot. Not really all that unusual.

It's an action flick, originally recorded in French (and I recommend watching it in French with subtitles), that stars a group of Parkour athletes who go to Bangkok to open a gym for street kids. Unfortunately they find themselves right in the middle of a Triad / Yakuza spat. Thus action ensues. There's also a hint of mysticism (one of the young men is there to see his Grandfather, a Buddhist priest) but mostly it's action.

People who do Parkour are amazing to watch, they're so graceful! David Belle in District B13 (another French action movie) and his Yamakasi (the stars of The Great Challenge), are incredible. Up, down, around poles, running, jumping, climbing anything. Fun! I'm willing to accept much in terms of story line and plot silliness in order to watch these athletes in action.

Though to be totally snarky about it, I did have to tease that of course it's the *French* who create an almost martial art of running away/escaping...

Link to a YouTube clip of District B13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPIw3cv8Zls

Comments

[stormyheart]

Weird that you should mention - Jack and I just watched District B13 this weekend! Before which I had never even heard of this movie or even of parkour. That parkour scene in the beginning of the movie was astounding. I compared him to a monkey for his ability to climb and jump and grab onto things so well. Jack wasn't too keen on that comparison tho :)

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

*grins* It's a fun movie, no? I must admit, I had never heard French spoken so harshly/angrily before watching it. And, I happen to own it. *laughs* Netflix had a sale, I couldn't resist.

That guy is David Belle, basically the founder of Parkour. He was inspired by his dad who was captured in Vietnam- which is why it's all about the art of escaping.

That scene is just amazing... And watching other youTube bits, where they just show him walking down the street, talking, and then doing these stunts! I am in awe. I'm not sure I could ever get my body to do some of those things.

So if you liked District B13 (for the action) check out The Great Challenge. :) More people doing pretty action things.

[silentbob037.livejournal.com]

There is some parkour on display in the opening chase scene in the last James Bond movie, CASINO ROYALE.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Yes! That guy is from the London team (he and David Belle had a parting of the ways awhile back, style differences). That was fun to watch. Especially with the guy doing things like gracefully slipping through openings, and James just busting through the wall! *laughs*

[silentbob037.livejournal.com]

The audience in the theatre that I saw that with when this happened...

Aud: Oooooooooo... *when he jumped through the whole

Aud: laughing and applause * when Bond just ran straight through the wall *

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Sounds about right. *laughs*

[bound-gagged.livejournal.com]

Hells yeah -- that was an awesome scene! :)

[bound-gagged.livejournal.com]

I believe I've seen the film. We have a friend who lives in Seattle who is into parkour. Whilst we were visiting him and another friend in 06, he popped a french film with Belle in it. Perhaps that is the film you are talking about :) For the life of me, I cant recall the name; we were a bit tipsy when we watched it..hehehe. Cool stuff!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

It was either District B13 (he's not actually in The Great Challenge) or Yamakasi (which has never been released in the US or UK). I really want to see it...

But yeah, they way they just throw their bodies around with abandon... like gymnastics on crack. ;)

[bound-gagged.livejournal.com]

Hehe, gymnastics on crack...heheh

Edited for spelling lol