Sheep Movie Review: Taken 3

Taken 3

Directed By: Olivier Megaton

Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief strong language)

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min

Cast: Liam Neeson, Forrest Whitaker, Maggie Grace, Dougray Scott, Famke Janssen

Plot: 

Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whose reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Consumed with rage, and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his "particular set of skills," to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now - his daughter.

Bryan Mills is back. Father of the Year. Ex-husband of the decade. Kicking some ass and taking some hard to pronounce names. It's torture shack time 2015. Via way of Malibu, California. Hey, we all need a nice locale for water-boarding! Don't you judge him. He's been through a lot! 

Liam Neeson is the man. Gruff voice. Cool gadgets. Fun old-timer friends who have each others back. Be it liquor store or penthouse floor with tightly whites, Liam will knock you silly and spit in your face. He's all kinds of action hero goodness wrapped in a lovable panda bear. 

Did you know he also does a lot of his own stunts? Yes. This man goes for it. He's not jumping fences and sure wont be falling from buildings, but when it's time to fight in close quarters….he brings the fists of fury! 

Haters gonna hate, other reviewers are going to look at this over-the-top franchise and roll their inflated egotistical prudish eyeballs.  Taken 3 is predictable. You absolutely know what's going to happen. Most of the characters have little depth, but who cares, if you enjoy action movies and some super gooey cheese, then that's all you need. 

Forrest Whitaker is so much fun to watch in this one. He was nicely paired up to the play role of the lead detective on the hunt to catch a murderer. Adding in some comic relief are his band of merry police brothers. They're always one step behind Bryan Mills. Better luck next movie boys! 

The Taken films (all three) are meant to be fun! Meant to make you root for the good guy and boo at the bad men. Naughty boys taking away Bryan's family like that! Time and again you all mess with this fella. Well, he's had enough and he's going to kick everyones butts till they understand this! 

Sure Liam is getting old, but so are other actors out there STILL making action movies. Who cares?! I would love to see Liam and Denzel Washington team up in an action flick. That would be my action-hero wet dream come true! But I digress, if you just want to munch on a snack and watch some fun cheesy action then get yourself to the theater and check this one out. 

Getting 4 'stop looking at my panda' Sheep 

KD 

Movie Review: Taken 2

Taken 2 (12a)
Directed by: Olivier Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace
Running time: 91mins

In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.

Standing over the graves of his family members killed by Bryan Mills (Neeson) in the first Taken movie, Murad Krasniqi (Rade Serbedzija) swears revenge for his family and their loss. He wants Bryan and his family to suffer and sets in motion his plan to kidnap Bryan, his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) and his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace).

Cut to Bryan and his family, Lenore (Janssen) and Kim (Grace) on holiday in Istanbul, where, without any time wasted, Krasniqi’s plan is put into motion. Caught up in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, Bryan and Lenore are taken, leaving Kim running for her life. Will she escape or share the same fate as her mother and father?

Taken 2 follows on directly from the events of Taken with athe burial in Albania, then transporting the viewer from LA to Istanbul. The returning actors fall easily back into their roles from the first film. This is not film for fans of interesting and conversing dialogue; this is an action film, pure and simple. All of the cast perform their scenes admirably, but it’s Liam Neeson as ex-CIA Bryan Mills that steals the show.

Much like John McClane in the Die Hard films, the audience has come to expect a certain amount of action, fight scenes and gun play. Fans will be pleased to hear Taken 2 does not disappoint. The fight scenes and car chases are meticulous in their planning and execution and viewers can appreciate the fast cuts in editing for incredibly well staged action pieces.

Sadly though, the film tries on one hand to be intelligent and realistic and yet falls down in simple plot holes and glaringly obvious inconsistencies. At times you have to suspend belief that while the main action is going on, the background may not be correct – for example, where are the police as grenades go off all over the place?

That said, the cinematography is superb as is the editing and soundtrack. Sadly the script is weak, but then again, why speak when bullets and fists can say so much more!

If it’s just a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller with great editing and good action scenes, then this is the film for you.

3 out of 5 Sheep 

Guest Reviewer: Big Phil from Following the Nerd