The Take
This was released in 2016 as Bastille Day, but didn’t get a wide play because it coincided with terrorist attacks in Paris and Nice. Richard Madden plays a pickpocket in Paris who becomes embroiled in a bombing plot. A CIA agent (Idris Elba) scoops him up and they tackle the villains who are out to create anarchy. There’s not much original in the plot and it sometimes stretches credibility, but the execution is solid. The fights and chases are well-staged, especially the opening rooftop pursuit. Nothing new here, but the actors’ solid turns and the well-paced action make it an enjoyable entry into the genre.
(4 / 5)
Enola Holmes
Aiming for a younger audience, the title role is played by Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) as the wily younger sister to Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Claflin). After her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) disappears, Enola sets out to London to find her, meeting a young aristocrat along the way. The opening sequences offer a jaunty modern approach to the detective story, but things do slow down as the plot and the burgeoning romance develops. Still, the pleasant performances and lively attitude make for a mildly entertaining diversion.
(3 / 5)