Reel Critics:

“From Paris with Love” is from a story by Luc Besson (“The Professional”) and directed by Pierre Morel (“Taken”) so you’d expect a first-class action thriller. Class? No. But action — oui.

John Travolta, gleefully playing bad-ass Special Agent Charlie Wax, literally triggers mayhem.

Like Nicolas Cage, his co-star in “Face/Off,” Travolta is better when he just lets it rip, even to the point of being over-indulgent.

His manic energy plays off nicely against Jonathan Rhys Meyers as James Reese, a straight-laced Embassy assistant who somehow becomes Wax’s partner. James dreams of becoming the next Bond but lacks a killer instinct. How many special agents will stop mid-gunfight to call their girlfriend?

Some action sequences are pretty slick — particularly one featuring a circular staircase. Charlie’s motives behind the violence are vague — is he after Chinese drug lords, radical Pakistanis, French customs? No matter, bullets and f-bombs are the order of the day.

The camera work is hyperactive, the plot is a mess, and the body count is ridiculously high. “From Paris with Love” is like a Royale with Cheese — frightfully bad on so many levels, but enjoyable while it lasts.

Mel keeps his ‘Edge’

Mel Gibson returns to the big screen as a vengeful dad in “Edge of Darkness.” Are we going to see the return of ultra-violent “Mad Mel” soaked in blood, veins pounding? Will he crack heads first and act later?

To my surprise the answer is no. This is actually a pretty good mystery/thriller with Gibson keeping his rage just below boiling point for most of the film.

Tom Craven (Gibson) is a Boston cop whose daughter Emma has come home for a visit when someone blows her away. Thinking it was a bullet meant for him, Craven starts his own investigation and learns more about Emma’s internship at a mysterious company headed by an unctuous Danny Huston.

“Darkness” had some intriguing performances going for it, especially a dapper Ray Winstone (“Beowulf”), who commands every one of his scenes. As the corporate “cleaner” Jedburgh, his cool demeanor keeps you guessing as to where his loyalties lie.

Danny Huston (“X Men: Wolverine”) once again makes a terrific villain, oozing a reptilian charm that makes your skin crawl.

While many plot points are familiar (think “The Departed” crossed with “Silkwood”) and even a bit preposterous, it’s a satisfying moment to see Gibson get lethal at the end.

SUSANNE PEREZ lives in Costa Mesa and is an executive assistant for a financial services company.