
District 13: Ultimatum
2009, Action, 1h 40m
75 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
District 13 bites off more than it can chew with its political subtext and questionable script, but the many action sequences are never less than entertaining. Read critic reviews
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District 13: Ultimatum Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Damien
Leito
President
Walter Gassman
Tao
Little Montana
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Critic Reviews for District 13: Ultimatum
Audience Reviews for District 13: Ultimatum
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Feb 28, 2014What do you get when you take District 13 and take away the very thing that people loved about the first movie, the parkour-influenced action scenes and in its place you shoehorn in a politically-charged story that nobody could possibly have cared about? Well, you get District 13: Ultimatum. I commend the crew for really trying their hardest to make the film more than just a mindless action movie. But the people that loved the first District 13, the people that wanted to see this film in the first place, really didn't want a story-heavy sequel. It's a gray area because doing exactly what the audience wants can be stifling, creatively. But straying too far away from a very successful formula would drive those very people away. And let me tell you, this politically-charged story isn't exactly subtle. It wears its message right on its sleeve for all to see and, again, I can't complain about the screenwriters trying to do something different with its sequel, instead of repeating what made it hugely successful, but I found the story to be really corny and cheesy. Perhaps, that was the intention. By the end, there's this B-movie charm to the story but it's not like that charm permeated throughout the entire movie, it's just came at the climax and the post-credits scene. For some reason the videogame series Saint's Row came up in my mind after watching the post-credits scene. The film isn't bad, I just wish, similarly to my complaints about the first film, that there had been far more action than there was. But what is there is quite good and fun. I got a Jackie Chan vibe from some of the fight scenes, where Damien would just tie up guys together with their own limbs. In a film where it's all about the athleticism of its two leads, and they definitely do get to showcase it, but it also feels like so much more could've been done with their talents than what they actually did. Still, this film is decent with its action sequences and its cheesy story is somewhat fun. It could've been better, but I've certainly seen worse.
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Nov 06, 2013Riveting and action-packed, District 13: Ultimatum is a high-energy adventure. When a covert government agency attempts to provoke civil unrest in District 13 in order to force the President to launch a military strike, Leito and Damien must join forces once again and unite the district's gang leaders in order to expose the government conspiracy. The plot's pretty formulaic and the villains are one-dimensional stereotypes. But, the action sequences add a lot of energy to the film and gives it a fast pace. Additionally, the fight choreography is especially impressive, and has a good mixture of martial art styles. A fun and entertaining action film, District 13: Ultimatum is an exciting addition to the series.Dann M Super Reviewer
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Jul 24, 2013Patrick Alessandrin screams parkour with <i>B13: Ultimatum</i>.<p>When it comes to plot details, there is enough to fill the 95 minutes of screen time this film offers. There is a sluggish start to get the storyline moving; however, that's not to say that the introduction sucks; far from it. It's just more character oriented fun that eventually leads to the meat of the story.</p><p>The action and parkour stunt-work is highly stylized and amusing. It is scattered throughout, although the more entertaining pieces do not take place in the film's final act.</p><p>David Belle and Cyril Raffaelli showcase their skills without fail. Elodie Yung, the lone female, steps in for a fight of her own. The rest of the antagonists are, well, antagonists.</p><p><i>B13: Ultimatum</i> is over the top in many places, but that works in this film's favor. "I'll distract them. You play spider-man."</p>JY S Super Reviewer
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Aug 09, 2012Supercop Damien reunites with his old friend Leito to prevent a plot by a sinister government agency to level Banlieue 13 and profit from the rebuilding process. The original film was a braindead but fun XY pleaser with plenty of inventive action making it an entertaining ride. This rehash is basically the same plot with a slightly different conspiratorial spin and gang banger stereotypes thrown into the mix. It's a bit like Jackie Chan does The Fast And The Furious as a result and the fact that our first glimpse of Cyril Raffaelli is in drag shows that the grittiness bar has been suitably lowered. It's fast footed and brief enough to never bore but like the Taxi films before them, a case of lazy script writing being papered over by ever more ludicrous set pieces. Not a bad little diversion but the series really needs to stop here and now before it starts to embarrass itself.
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