We've Been "Taken 3" Times To See The Same Movie!

Taken 3 (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Famke Jannsen, Maggie Grace, Dougray Scott

Directed by Olivier Megaton

The Story:

Bryan Mills (Neeson) is back, and he's brought his special skill set with him. It's a good thing too, because this time his ex-wife (Jannsen) is murdered and Bryan has been framed. He's out to prove that he's innocent, regardless of what the head detective (Whitaker) believes.

Okay, first, nobody was actually taken in this film, which leads to a bit of a misleading title!
;)

Seriously though, if you've enjoyed the first 2 installments, you'll find closure on the trilogy here.

At least, I hope it was a trilogy, and Taken 4 is not being discussed.

My guess is, like the Transporter, there is no reason why the series won't receive a reboot brand makeover in the future.

I'm sure there are many former operatives that have their relatives stolen all the time, where are there stories?

That said, this film offers little in the way of anything you haven't seen already, and if you can't guess who is framing Bryan by, oh, about the 10 minute mark of the film, then congratulations, you've apparently never seen a movie before in your life.

:)

The new wrinkle is the addition of Whitaker as the cop who is tracking down a fugitive.

Except, his demeanor refuses to channel Tommy Lee Jones and seems mostly indifferent throughout the film.

It's paint by numbers execution, but I've mostly enjoyed my stay with Neeson in this franchise.

I do believe it's time that he break the mold though and do a comedy or a romance, or anything other than handle a weapon or kill something in his next movie.

Final Grade: B-

"When Calls The Heart" Is One Unwieldly Movie Title For A Friday Review

When Calls the Heart (2013)

Hallmark Channel Movie

Starring: Maggie Grace, Stephen Amell, Daniel Sharman, Poppy Drayton

Directed by Michael Landon Jr.

The Story:

It's turn of the century Canada, and Elizabeth (Drayton) is going to accept a position as a teacher, much like her Aunt (Grace) did years earlier.  When she discovers her aunt's journal, she learns of a potential love (Amell) and it sets off questions in her head and heart of whether or not she is ready to leave her family behind and head out into the wild.

Based on author Janette Oke's bestseller, Landon brings his father's touch to the small screen for a Hallmark Channel movie of the week.

Except, unlike his father's Little House on the Prairie series, this tale is only half interesting.

Or more precise, there is apparently so little story to each, the need to mash the Aunt's journal with Elizabeth's own are the driving ingredients to this story.

The acting is fine, and the period piece looks great.

It's just, there isn't a whole lot to the story.

Most unsatisfying, the movie simply ends.

After 90 minutes of partial investment of these characters, you have an idea of how the movie should end, but it doesn't.

It just stops.

: /

Ah well...

With a little further digging, it appears that this was to set up a tv series.

Fair enough.  Sneaky...

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not when I have the whole Little House on the Prairie series already available at a moment's notice.

I Will Find You, And I Will Kill You. Again. "Taken 2"

It's like Die Hard...set in Turkey!

The Story:

Dad of the Year, Bryan (Liam Neeson) has held up his end of the bargain of being a good father to Kim (Maggie Grace) and keeps in touch with his ex (Famke Janssen) since the events of the first movie when his daughter was kidnapped and he had to kill a bunch of bad guys to get her back.  Well... it seems the father of one of those dead kidnappers wants to make an example out of Bryan and kill him and his whole family.

Bad move, dude.


So really, it's more like Taken... with the whole family!  But yes, following the Die Hard idea of 'the same thing happening to the same guy' formula, Bryan is once again forced to save his family, even when he is the one that is taken this time.

He does that by luck, skill, and having his daughter help save him.

I don't remember how much I enjoyed the first film, but I found this sequel to be just fine with me, and maybe even more enjoyable. 

Fast paced, action pieces moved along at a nice clip, and Liam Neeson is commanding of a presence as always.  Really glad to say that again after how much I really disliked the  movie The Grey.

I also am adding this franchise to the list of movies that I will give to my daughter's boyfriends when I meet them, and let them know that if you think THESE dads are overprotective, wait till they see me.

>: )

I must also give some credit to Luc Besson.  I find that I really enjoy most of the films where he is the writer, or co-writer, or has some dabbling writing of the film.  In addition to this franchise he's given us: Leon: The Professional, The Fifth Element; The Transporter franchise; and Lockout, those are my favorites from among his many credits.

We'll see if the franchise rolls out a 3rd film...

At this point maybe as an idea, and not the same characters?

I mean, how many times can one family keep getting kidnapped?!?

Final Grade: B

Would I Own It: I'm not sure.  I'd definitely watch it again.  I may have to watch the first one again, and possibly add both to the library. : )