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EDITOR'S PICK
'Taken
3' - predictable and mediocre (IANS Movie Review)
Rating:
**
'Somebody murdered your mother in my house. I don't know who did it or why, but
I'll find out,' Bryan Mills assures his daughter Kim. This forms the crux of 'Taken
3'.
Unlike its previous two editions, 'Taken 3' is a scaled up, reminiscent,
action-packed thriller whose premise is loosely based on the 1993-released
Harrison Ford starrer 'The Fugitive'.
Set in Los Angeles, deadly ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) returns as
a doting father to his now grown-up daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). He soon learns
from his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen), who is married to a multi-businessman
Stuart (Dougray Scott), that she still fantasises about him and is considering a
reconciliation.
But then their dreams are short-lived when Lenore gets brutally murdered and
Bryan is framed for her death.
What makes this film a run-of-the-mill affair is the plot and screenplay written
by Luc Besson and his long standing associate Robert Mark Kamen. The turn of
events as well as the characterisation is predictable and lackadaisical. There
are a couple of 'plot-holes' and unconvincing scenes that make the narrative
appear weak. Also that is also why the actors fail to deliver.
The ageing Liam Neeson, though charming, does not elevate his character of the
anguished superhero. His expressions are perfunctory, actions mechanical and
speech on a low-note hollow, sounds superficial at times.
On the other hand, Forest Whitaker is lively as the bagel-munching detective
Frank Dotzler, who is in awe of Bryan's impressive skills. He seems silly while
trying to caricature a stereotype detective and is seriously, not funny at all.
Dougray Scott, who has replaced Xander Berkeley from the earlier edition and Sam
Spruell, who plays the Russian Gangster Oleg Malankov are the new entrants. They
are quite noticeable among the supporting cast as there is not much complexity
in the character development.
Visually, the plethora of impressive day and night aerial shots, gives the film
a superior feel. But overall, with jerky camera moments, poor lighting to
capture the atmospheric tension cinematographer, Eric Kress's work is shifty and
jarring. This, combined with super quick jump-cuts, mars the viewing experience,
especially during the dramatic over-the-top action and chase scenes.
The background score is perfect except for a random Hindi song in one of the
scenes. That score is unwarranted to the script and sounds illogical in the
narrative. With the inclusion of this number, it is but obvious that director
Olivier Megaton along with his producers, is trying to please a global audience
and in the bargain, have delivered a mediocre kitsch.
Watch 'Taken 3' if you have nothing better to do this weekend.