I have to admit, when I walked into the theater to see From Paris with Love, I had mixed feelings.  On the one hand, I generally enjoy Luc Besson's work (Taken, Transporter, Fifth Element).  On the other hand, I wasn't impressed by the trailers.  From Paris with Love is another in the Besson's favored milieu of behind the scenes spy story.

What do you do if you are an ambassador's assistant with the State Department, but want to make the move to special ops?  If you're Jonathan Rhys Meyers playing the coincidentally named character James Reece, you take whatever mission comes your way.  Reece's latest mission is to partner up with Charlie Wax (John Travolta) – the Department's number one problem solver. 

Think of Wax as kind of a James Bond, as though played by Jackie Chan with the personality of Tony Stark from Iron Man.  He easily kills a lot of people in often dramatic fashion, and quips the occasional one-liner after he's standing and all the bad guys aren't.

From Paris with Love has a lot of good points.  Travolta is thoroughly entertaining as the casual, cool killer.  I also enjoyed the poking fun at Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the shout out to Travolta's famous roles.  But the script has problems with consistency.  There are random open doors that should be locked.  In one chase scene, the up-til-now super athletic Wax can't jump over a two foot wall.  In another scene, the joking rapport between Reece and Wax takes a serious turn for no apparent reason. 

I decided that you just have to appreciate From Paris with Love for what it is.  It is not fine cinema with mystique and drama.  It is entertaining with funny moments and pretty awesome car chases.   

Bottom Line: Despite the plot holes and random mood swings, From Paris with Love is a shoot-em-up good time.