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

[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