In Columbia, 1992 - Nine-year-old Cataleya (Amandla Stenberg) witnesses the murder of her parents, by order of her fathers former employer and drug lord; Don Luis Sandoval (Beto Benites). Barely escaping, Cataleya flees to the United States and is taken in by her gangster Uncle; Emilio (Cliff Curtis). Now wanting revenge, Cataleya asks Emilio to help her become ‘a killer’. 

15 years later, Cataleya (Zoe Saldana) now works for Emilio as a hit woman. Her calling card - an orchid drawn in black lipstick on her victims chests. She uses each one as a message to her parents killers, edging the two forces closer and closer together to a showdown which will leave casualties on both sides.

The very best aspect of this film is our lead, Saldana. She shows us she is quite capable and adept in an action role. She makes for a believable action star. Unfortunately she isn’t given as much to work with in this film, but it does show us that she’s not afraid to bust out her action chops and get her hands dirty, which will definitely make us pay attention to any action roles she may be involved with in the future.  

Colombiana is directed by Olivier Megaton, best known in the West for his last film; Transporter 3. He gives us a very flashy and stylised action film, which, unfortunately, has more ‘sizzle’ than ‘steak’ (What other action film have you seen lately where the lead goes on assassination missions wearing next to nothing?) With more than a few plot holes and sometimes a very erratic film style, which makes the film a little hard to follow in places, which takes you out of the film and detracts from the overall experience. 

I also wasn’t surprised when I found out that French Writer/Director/Producer; Luc Besson listed on the opening credits (as one of  the Screenwriters and a Producer) and being aware of his previous American film outings that he’s been involved with, including; The Transporter, Unleashed, Hitman and Taken, I knew what I was going to be getting.  

Colombiana isn’t going to win any awards (well…maybe a Razzie or two..), but if you are after a decent night in with an action film that doesn’t require you to do a lot of thinking, then Colombiana might just be for you.