Film Review: The 15:17 to Paris (2018)

Rating: 8/10

Genre: Drama/Biography

Related Titles: Patriots Day, 12 Strong, American Made

By Leanne Harragan

Based on the true events that took place on the 21st August 2015 when an attempted terrorist attack was thwarted by three train-goers who became heroes because of their actions. 

Despite some tough reviews from critics, I think this film has it's heart in the right place and is a great celebration of real world heroes. Having not seen the trailer I went into this film blind and assumed from the title that it would be all about the events on the train, but it is actually more than that. It takes the time to get the audience attached to the main three heroes of the film, starting with their early childhood together and following them through secondary school, their army careers, setbacks and watching them grow as people 

The acting is obviously amateurish from the main three Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler. However, as they were the real heroes acting out their own true stories you can forgive the acting and sometimes awkward moments the three had. There were some nice touches in this film like the use of the real footage the French President François Hollande presenting the men with their medals.

My only tiny issue with this film was that there was mention of a British man who assisted the three Americans and his involvement was completely brushed over. 

Overall, this film is well worth a watch even though the attack was the not the main part of the film, it was still a great tribute to the heroes of the story.

Rating: 8/10

By Rebecca Mannick

I had looked at a few ratings and reviews of this film before going into it. Maybe that swayed my judgement slightly as I was expecting it to be amateurish and underwhelming because of the initial reviews. However I really enjoyed this movie, it was very emotive and was such a journey and story. I loved how they followed the three boys Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler from the beginning of their lives all the way up to the train attack. 

Obviously it isn't a Hollywood blockbuster but the performances from the first time actors was okay, baring in mind they were playing themselves. So theres not much doubt about how true the screenplay is. This one is all about the story and the build up to the event. It might have been a case of the right people at the right time considering two of the guys qualifications. But it is undeniable that they risked everything to protect others and that is something worthy of honouring - and what better way than in a film. It was only until the end of the movie that I realised that the three Americans were playing themselves as they doubled the original broadcast with the French President and the scene from the movie. 

It was a truly moving film and one that I would highly recommend. However I will say that the scene with the terrorist attack is quite short and the main focus of the movie is the journey up until that point.