“Paris Has Fallen”: A French Flambé of Action and Adventure!
“Paris Has Fallen,” Canal+’s action-packed series, is a thrilling ride through chaos and heroism. While the series excites with explosive scenes and tension, it falls short in character development, especially for female roles, but still manages to draw in an eager audience for more!
If you’re in the mood for some adrenaline-fueled escapades sharper than a French chef’s knife, then “Paris Has Fallen” on Canal+ serves it up hot! This original series serves action by the platter full, yet somehow manages to misuse its dining utensils—er, I mean, potential—and leaves you with a bit of a mess on the table. After the other Hollywood-infused spectacles, “Olympus Has Fallen” and “London Has Fallen,” which graced our silver screens in 2013 and 2016, the action junkies have finally gotten a taste on the small screen. The eight-episode escapade has attracted a crazed following, ranking as Canal+’s third best debut series. Although the exact numbers remain a mystery, the buzz suggests that viewers can’t get enough of exploding scenarios while munching on popcorn. Our story kicks off in the mesmerizing streets of Paris where our French bodyguard, played by Tewfik Jallab (who humorously replaced the iconic Mathieu Kassovitz), gets entangled in a terrorist act live from the British Embassy. Together with an MI6 agent, he’s off to thwart this villainous plot aimed at dismantling democracy—because saving the world makes for a solid Tuesday evening! While the plot treads familiar ground like a tourist in Montmartre, it makes up for it with enough tension to keep you on your toes, crafting a whirlwind of betrayals, conspiracies, and hostage situations that makes even the most stoic viewer gasp amidst the chaos. You know you’re in for a ride when they crank up the violence like it’s a French street festival! But amid the barrage of action, one can’t help but lament that the female characters, especially Zara Taylor, portrayed by Ritu Arya, aren’t granted the same spotlight as their more stereotypically masculine counterparts. It’s like giving a Michelin star to a 3-star diner—just a tad uneven! Our villain, played by Sean Harris—who is practically the avatar of ‘bad guys’—takes on the persona of a disgruntled ex-agent out for revenge. The flashbacks sprinkled in attempt to create sympathy, but let’s be real, you’re already rooting for the hero without needing to hand a tiny violin to the baddie. The producer, Johnny Capps, teased that the show explores how governments can turn innocent folks into villains. So, if you’re keen on witnessing national secrets, double-crossings, and perhaps a croissant or two, “Paris Has Fallen” is your jam, especially with the wave of action-packed international espionage series like “Citadel” staying in vogue. So, grab your beret and popcorn, and settle in as we all hope that our Franco-British agents will continue their thrilling escapades both in France and well beyond its romantic boundaries!
In the ever-expanding universe of action-packed TV shows, ‘Paris Has Fallen’ makes its entrance with all the thrill and chills you’d expect from an American action series—but in a delightful French wrapper! Following a well-trodden storyline, this series draws from the blockbuster hits ‘La Chute de la maison blanche’ and ‘La Chute de Londres,’ successfully transitioning the franchise from the big screen to the small one, much like turning a one-hit-wonder into an ensemble act. With a unique twist of a Parisian setting, the show taps into the current trend where espionage thrillers are all the rage, promising fistfights and fast-paced chases that keep viewers glued to their couches (and, hopefully, not their fridges!).
In summary, “Paris Has Fallen” serves up enough explosive action to keep fans of the genre satisfied while missing the mark on character development, particularly with its female leads. With the buzz surrounding the show and its successful debut on Canal+, there’s hope for more thrilling adventures—hopefully, with a side of character depth! This show may not be a Michelin-starred extravaganza, but it’s certainly a tasty snack for action lovers craving their next fix!
Original Source: www.lesechos.fr
