Director: Olivier Megaton.
Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Forest Whitaker, Dougray Scott, Leland Orser, Famke Janssen.
Certificate: 12A
Running Time: 109 minutes
Synopsis: Bryan Mills (Neeson) is framed for the murder of his ex-wife (Janssen). He’s soon on the run from the law while also trying to find out who is responsible.
I have no idea why the TAKEN movies are popular in the slightest. I’ve always found them to be moronic action cliches that rely too heavily on coincidence but take themselves far too seriously. But since TAKEN 3 decides to abandon the TAKEN formula, perhaps I can give it another chance? Well, it may not be anything new; in fact it’s almost a remake of THE FUGITIVE, but TAKEN 3 is the best of the bunch, and is surprisingly enjoyable due to its ability to have a bit of a laugh.
Without anybody being taken, the film is allowed to focus more on something a little different, although long time fans may not like the change. Being on the run for a crime he didn’t commit means that Mills is left to fight innocent police officers for a lot of the film. This allows the makers to avoid the bone crunching violence some may expect, as Mills must leave his victims alive or risk losing our allegiance. On the flipside though, it also makes things a lot funnier, as big action sequences end in nobody getting seriously hurt despite explosions and crashes aplenty. It becomes even more (hopefully knowingly) funny when Mills announced his priority is the safety of certain characters, before blindly driving a car straight into where said characters are.
Such moments could also be seen as criticisms, but I’d rather be entertained than bored, and here it seems as though the whole cast and crew were just letting go. Speaking of which, Dougray Scott takes over the role of Stuart St. John, and does so with all the smarmy charm you’d want. It also makes for a nice change that he isn’t just some ex-husband hating new boyfriend, and actually has time to show his appreciation of Mills. Forest Whitaker also joins the cast, but is pretty much carrying on his role from THE LAST STAND, as he is mostly involved in phone calls and tactics. It’s not so much a waste, as Whitaker does well with little. Neeson is now completely immersed as Mills and Grace gets to be stronger and less unable.
Placing its feet firmly in LA this time, the script doesn’t have to focus on jetting around the globe, making for a plot that gets in and out and allows for some more thoughtful action set-pieces. Seeing the return of Mills’ buddies is always a plus, and here they really get to flex their skills. Perhaps it’s the age of our lead mixed with a studio’s insistence on lower certificates, that results in more spy than fight action, yet it doesn’t seem to harm the franchise in any way.
TAKEN 3 is certainly a January film. It’s forgettable but enjoyable while it lasts. Overthinking things just point out all the holes and makes it a corny mess. The performances are decent, and the action more sedate. This may not only fail to convert anyone, but it may even lose fans. That being said, there is a sense of cheeky fun that managed to twist the cynic in me into just sitting back and going along for the ride. When the bullets really start flying in the climax, I had completely forgotten my hate of the previous entries and just succumbed to loud, dumb fun.
[usr=3]TAKEN 3 is released on 8th January.
