Movie Monday: Taken 3

Apologies for the lateness in this entry, given this was supposedly Movie MONDAY. For this week, I will be reviewing the third (and hopefully final) installment of the Taken series, Taken 3. Taken 3 sees the return of Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, all reprising their roles, with the addition of Forest Whitaker and Dougray Scott.

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. (C) Fox

Im pretty sure that many of you out there felt the same way as I did with regards to this franchise: 

Stop at Taken 2. How suay can he be?

But I guess the top brass at 20th Century Fox wants to milk this cow for all it was worth, since everyone still probably wants to see Liam Neeson kick some Eastern European ass.

With Taken 3, our "wish" had been granted, or more of their wish for more profts was granted. In my opinion, this movie wasnt necessary, and in terms of plot and action sequences there were flaws aplenty.

Within the first 10 minutes of the show, one would have found a major plot flaw. Given the normally logical thinking character of Mills, one would think that under the circumstance of facing arrest for a murder that he DID NOT COMMIT, he would just have duly complied with the law enforcement officers and then slowly go about proving his innocence.

BUT NO. He resist arrest in the only way he knows how - treating everyone like his worse enemy. And then slowly using his own methods (relying on his 4 buddies, sneaking in and out of places), he goes about proving his innocence and protecting his loved one (his daughter, bless her poor soul)

To me, the action sequences have gotten watered down. The plot this time round, like what I have mentioned earlier, has gotten even more ridiculous (surviving car crashes! not just once!), and the most major flaw, which also undoubtedly is what made this movie successful, is the fact that they have now made Liam Neeson's character to hit a level of invincibility. It seems that there is nothing he can't do to ensure that his loved ones are safe, that he just cant be defeated in anyway possible.

All in all, I felt that the movie had hit its plateau with Taken 2. With Taken 3, there were plenty of hidden references made to the first 2 movies (take note of the phone conversations Liam Neeson has with the LAPD played by Forest Whitaker). The lack of a truly decent fight sequence, coupled with the weakness of the plot, made this movie a miss-able affair.

Calvin's Movie Monday Ratings: 2.5/5



PS: This sequence that took place in Taken was the most memorable out of all 3 movies. Enjoy