3 Days To Kill

3 Days To Kill is my favourite kind of action film. It's not too over the top and almost has the sensibilities of an independent film. Indeed it's writer and producer Luc Besson is known for making some of the more popular action films, such as Leon and Taken. But this film is more reminiscent of 2010's From Paris With Love, which I think gave John Travolta a second second chance at a career. Likewise, 3 Days To Kill might reinvigorate Kevin Costner.

In the early to mid-90s, Costner was the go-to leading man. That was until he was in both Waterworld (1995) and The Postman (1997). After those two films, he rarely got big parts in blockbusters, but I think this performance might change that. Costner plays Ethan Renner, an experienced CIA agent, who recently discovers that he has terminal brain cancer and is given three months to live. Renner returns to Paris in order to reunite with his estranged daughter, Zoey (Hailee Steinfeld).

Following Ethan is elite CIA agent Vivi Delay (Amber Heard), who offers Ethan an experimental drug to help his cancer in return for hunting down an arms trafficker who only Ethan can identify. Ethan has to choose between living what's left of his life with his family or a chance at a longer life.

When I saw McG's name in the credits I felt somewhat unsure about this film. For those unaware of who McG is, left me fill you in. He is a much maligned Hollywood director whose main credits include the Charlie's Angels movies and Terminator Salvation. He also has a stupid name. So you can understand when I say I felt scared to see him attached to a Luc Besson movie, because he doesn't understand subtlety.

Boy was I wrong. The movie flows perfectly (a main part of the director's job) and he really understood how to play up the comedic moments. And this film is filled aplenty with those. The combination of Besson's writing and McG's direction are actually pretty dynamic.

Both Amber Heard and Hailee Steinfeld carry themselves well in the movie. We don't see much of Heard throughout, but when we do, they are some pretty memorable scenes for her femme fatale character. Steinfeld is growing to become a competent young actor and has come a long way since her breakout role in True Grit.

Verdict: A funny, smart action film that might prove to bring Kevin Costner to a new audience.