He's a little bit Bond, a little bit Bruce Wayne and very, very pissed off...

Well concealed among Hollywood blockbusters The Dark Knight, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Hellboy II, fellow comic book-based movie, Largo Winch: Deadly Revenge, also in cinemas in 2008, almost passed entirely unnoticed. Now released on DVD at a time when Hollywood is currently favouring boy wizards following on from Potter's success, this low-budget Belgium comic adaptation may finally receive the recognition it deserves.

One of the most popular comics written in the French language, the release of Largo Winch: Deadly Revenge follows attempts at serialisation in a 2001 TV series. Deadly Revenge starts at the comics' beginning by telling the story of the orphan Largo who is adopted by Nerio Winch, the “perfect self-made man” who has joint Suisse-American nationality. Nerio survived a difficult Bosnian childhood, later starting a business in 1933 to become the fifth richest man in the world.

After divers drown Nerio in the Hong Kong harbour where his boat cruises, Largo's secret identity as heir is revealed and he must fight to fulfil his destiny as head of Winch International and expose his father's killer. A reluctant heir, in later life Largo tried to avoid his father's notoriety and money. Now, spurred on by vengeance rather than his awaiting fortune, as Largo's life is threatened and people around him die, he embraces his responsibilities.

Unlike many superheroes, Largo is powerless and can be compared in many ways to Bruce Wayne in his mysterious upbringing, inherited wealth, lack of family, desire for revenge and reliance on strength and cunning. Brought up in an academy whose motto is “the road to excellence is gruelling”, Largo learns the value of his father's admittance “Loneliness is the price of power”, when he must question who he can trust.

In the film's opening, after rescuing and bedding a helpless girl, Largo is set up for drug dealing and threatened with a fifty-year prison sentence. Rather than see his father's employees bribe his way out, Largo breaks out of prison, preferring “his way”. Lacking a gruff voice or alter-ego but complete with an invincibility tattoo, motorbike, sense of justice and secretive disposition, the multi-lingual Largo is more real than the average superhero.

Largo's butler, Gauthier, is one of the most enjoyably surreal characters – trained at Regent Street's Gentleman's school his pompous precision and bizarre way of speaking raise a smile. Mikhail Korsky, self-confessed as “the story's bad guy”, turns comic book villainry on its head with tongue-in-cheek empty threats: “Two weeks from now, I'll be at the head of the W group.”

Elements of Largo Winch: Deadly Revenge remain faithful to the comic genre with the story being told from around the globe in beautiful exotic locations, skipping backwards and forwards in time. Bond is a clear influence as classic spy close-up shots of speedometers and the rear view from the driver's mirror are shown, fight scenes are injected with a hint of comedy, accompanied by Bond-style music, and the final showdown is filmed panning around a skyscraper's roof-top terrace. The most impressive location of the film is also reminiscent of Scaramanga's island but somehow manages to top its drama.

Full of plenty of chases, double-crossing/betrayal and plot twists, Largo Winch: Deadly Revenge is a refreshing take on a comic book hero, benefiting from the freedom that comes from its lack of Hollywood direction and relatively unknown but strong cast.

Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
Director: Jerome Salle
Writers: Julien Rappeneau, Jerome Salle, Jean Van Hamme
Release Date: August 23 2010
Running Time: 104 mins
Certificate: 15
Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Tomer Sisley, Miki Manojilo, Steven Waddington

Largo Winch: Deadly Revenge is released today.

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