Red Siren

"The Red Siren" is a B-flick about a teen runaway who falls in with a part time soldier-of-fortune who protects her from a small army of Mom's heavies while a beautiful cop (Argento) tries to find them to help out. In spite of some good camera work and real locations, this film has a phony plot and characters who aren't even remotely believable. Scripting, editing, and direction is lousy giving "The Red Siren" a slick but sloppy look with very little going for it save a bit of action (one fire fight), a brief chase scene and no romance or sex. Pretty awful stuff even for the couch potato, this is a good film to pass over. Not recommendable except for fans of Argento who get's precious little screen time.(C)

Honestly, if this movie had not included the aforementioned shooting scene, there would be really not much to see. In short, a not bad idea with a bad delivery. Acting not really believable and pardon me, Franch actors trying not to sound French, even with their voices dubbed onto the movie as they most probably could not deliver acting performance together with not sounding French. Funny if not ridiculous at times. Instead of saying the usual French 'otel' - I mean 'hotel', pronouncing every single syllable to the best of their abilities. Totally unbelievable role of the female cop, naive, dumb and artificial. Nice try, try harder next time...

This bloody yet stylish European action thriller is well filmed and ambiguous enough to allow your imagination space for thought. Olivier Megaton direction is thoughtful and holds this interesting picture together. Jean-Marc Barr is good as the trained assassin who becomes the girl's protector. His acting inspires confidence and credibility to become Alice's (the girls) savior. Asia Argento who plays Anita a cynical Police Inspector who also needs to protect Alice. This seems to be at the core of this movie. Both Anita (Argento) and Hugo (Barr) need to protect this girl for personal reasons. Although the film does not elaborate on Anita's past you can sense her empathy seeing Alice as the girl within herself. Hugo on the other hand is a loner and has become jaded by his past experiences and through Alice he finds a reason to once again believe in his own goodness. - PCL

What's to complain about? This was a B rate "action" film. There's an evil evil bad guy (woman) trying to get her prize (daughter) at all costs, while the good guys (guy with a guilty conscience and tough female cop) try to deliver the prize to its rightful owner (the father). This isn't Silence of the Lambs, or North by Northwest. It is chase scenes, gun fights, macho talk, etc.. entertainment like XXX (Vin Diesel), SWAT, or some other entertainment. Jump of your high horse and enjoy yourself! There's nothing here you haven't seen before. However I thought it was well done and entertaining. So what if The Professional with Jean Reno has done this before and better? I like all the movies listed above including Red Siren, and appreciate each for its own merits.

I must confess... my low rating of this has to do with a similar plot (pre-teen girl who's life is in danger taken under the wing of a professional assassin) being much better utilised in Leon, with far more suspense and gripping action. It also had the added bonus of a young Natalie Portman, rather than the whiny brat who constantly lands everyone in trouble here. Add to that the main shootout being a poorly edited, shot-in-green-light farce, and a villainess who, if she chewed any more carpet, would have a completely bare house, and you can see we have real problems here.

Still, it's not all bad. Jean-Marc Barr compellingly plays the ice-cool hired killer, and Asia Argento makes for a sexy yet intelligent officer. We get to see quite a few scenic highlights of Europe, and the plot moves along with just the right speed to stop boredom setting in. It's just the feeling of deja vu is constant from the first shot... And I guarantee you've seen it done better. I know I keep bringing this point up in my reviews, but if the boot fits... 5/10.