Review of Nikita (1990) by Michael C — 24 Feb 2011

A solid and skillfully acted spy thriller from French director Luc Besson of "The Professional" and "Taken" fame. It certainly has the feel of Besson's other work; smart more realistic style of action mixed with somewhat of a theatrical flair, a hint of melodrama, and a somewhat unorthodox action lead.

In this film it is a woman from the dregs of society who is scheduled to be put to death after she shot and murdered a cop. Anne Parillaurd is given a pretty complex role and does admirably with it; Nikita is often not a likeable character at the beginning of the film, and even grating at moments, but she has a charm about her that progressively comes out through the course of the film.

There is definitely a little bit of camp present with the very 80's-esque soundtrack and even the feel of the film is a little cheesy at moments. This is forgiven because it is still more ambitious than a lot of films of its ilk, and the influence of this movie is apparent in several films after (I am curious if Linda Hamilton's role in Terminator 2 was heavily inspired by the heroine of this film).