I went into From Paris with Love hoping for another TAKEN, but it turns out my hopes were too high. This is strictly by-the-numbers entertainment, a join-the-dots type thriller that veers uneasily between humour and hijinks and boasts a plot that was probably written on the back of a napkin. Indeed, apart from the setting and xenophobic aspect of the storyline, this and the Liam Neeson film have little in common – more's the pity.

The main problem is focus, which is all over the place. There's an extended introduction to one of the characters which feels like nothing more than padding, then a shoot-the-baddies series of action set-pieces which are linked together very sketchily. I can forgive this type of stuff if the action scenes excel, but unfortunately they're routine here, a series of noisy, fast-cut shootings and nothing more besides.

The film's saving grace is the two lead actors. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the straight man and very good he is too – even though I'm disposed to dislike him after I saw him in I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD. Witness his momentary breakdown around halfway through and tell me that isn't decent acting. Travolta, on the other hand, is given free reign to go over the edge as one of those borderline psycho-types we're used to seeing him playing (FACE/OFF, anyone?). He seems to be having a ball, and that enjoyment is infectious. Although one or two of the twists are lifted from TAKEN, things do pick up for the highway set-piece climax. Forgettable popcorn cinema this may be, but it's still more fun than many a recent Seagal flick.

James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is an aide to the U.S. Ambassador in Paris. He does assignments for the CIA and hopes to get into special ops. After planting a bug in a french minister's office, he's given another task to pick up Charlie Wax (John Travolta) at the airport. He has to run out on a special dinner with his girlfriend Caroline (Kasia Smutniak). Charlie is a manic strange angry loud-mouthed agent. He takes James on a wide ride starting with shooting up a Chinese restaurant.

I really don't like John Travolta's overacting cartoon character. It's that simple and I don't really like JRM's character either. This is too ridiculous in a bad way. It made me roll my eyes once too often. This is trying to be that stylish action movie but it really doesn't achieve anything other than a lot of gunplay. And JRM carrying around that vase just looks stupid.

The assistant of the American Ambassador in Paris James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is an aspirant spy working in minor jobs for the CIA. James lives with his fiancée Caroline (Kasia Smutniak) and expects to be promoted to the special operations. When James is assigned to drive the unconventional but efficient agent Charlie Wax (John Travolta) in Paris, James learns that a terrorist cell is preparing to attack the American delegation and he is close to the key element that will explode the group of representatives of his government.

"From Paris with Love" is an explosive collection of clichés with a predictable story. There are scenes supposed to be funny that do not work and there is nothing new in the plot. The good thing is the gorgeous unknown actress Kasia Smutniak. My vote is four.

Title (Brazil): "Dupla Implacável" ("Implacable Double")