Colombiana

A Fem Fatal of South America of the boarder, Colombiana brings the action for about the first 25 minutes, then begins its slow decent into mediocrity.  This movie is missing the minimum of 15-20 minutes of “training time” that made “Wanted”, “Point of no Return”, and “Kill Bill” what there are. Basically this movie has a beginning, and a end without developing Cataleya(Saldana) into anything other than eye candy with a gun. Who is Cataleya? The action sequences are creative and intense, and we know “why” she is out for vengeance; but without the character development (“who”, “what”), Colombiana fails to execute the kill shot and as a target you are left in critical condition but survive. I can “understand” her pain and desire for retribution, but I cannot “feel” it.

                The movie begins right away with the violent murder of Cataleya’s (Amandla Stenberg) parents at the hand of Don Luis’ (Beto Benites) henchmen Marco (Jordi Molla). Before her parents murder Cataleya’s father gives her a “passport” and instruction that should anything happen to them where she should go. “Never forget where you come from”, are the last words he says to her. She then leads the henchmen on a chase around the city that she narrowly escapes. She shows up in the US consulate dirty and tired with only the clothes on the back and her “passport”. Once she arrives in the US she promptly escapes from authorities and makes her way to the address in Chicago where she finds her grandmother and uncle Emilio (Cliff Cutris). “I want to be a killer; can you teach me?” she tells him. We are then whisked 15 years in the future, where we must assume that Cataleya (Zoe Saldana) is now a seasoned killer. Cataleya then goes through great lengths to assassinate another one of Don Luis’ henchmen much to the chagrin of federal marshals.  Objecting to the pleas of Emilio (Curtis) to stop her vendetta against Don Luis’, Cataleya continues to locate and take down the henchmen one by one in an attempt to smoke Don Luis out, all while the CIA and FBI are hot on Cataleya trail. Eventually there is a showdown between Cataleya, Don Luis, and Marco.

If you missed it in theatres, don’t fret, I would not say that this movie is a “must see in theatres”. But if you are a Zoe Saldana fan or looking for a good action movie to rent for the holidays this is worth the stop at your local redbox. 

I would give this movie 4 of 10.

Run time: 108 mins