The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch

Director Jérôme Salle's glitzy Franco-Belgian actioner aims to out-Hollywood Hollywood with high-octane land-sea-air chases, fight scenes, parkour, international locales, and plot twists worthy of a spy flick. But it's really a business thriller—albeit one in which the majority-stockholder shares take the place of the customary missile blueprint or secret formula—based on a European comic book. The killing of billionaire tycoon Nerio Winch (Miki Manojlovic) means that his $30 billion multinational conglomerate will fall to his estranged adopted son, Largo (Tomer Sisley), who is more of a rebellious sweat-shirted adventurer than an MBA. While a hostile takeover looms for the Hong Kong-based Winch empire, Largo—disdainful of mega-wealth and power—pursues his own investigation of the murder, running into boardroom duplicity, shifty allies, vicious enemies and more than one pretty girl. This is sumptuous summer-movie entertainment featuring a photogenic ensemble of European actors. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a “making-of” featurette (25 min.), a digital comic book, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fun thriller.] (C. Cassady)