Liam Neeson continues his run of financially successful old-man action flicks with the Luc Besson-produced Taken 3, marking the third time he’s played the man with “a particular set of skills,” and the first time I’ve liked any of the movies in this remarkably profitable but somewhat mean-spirited franchise in any kind of measure.
The only thing taken this time around is a life, that of the remarried ex-wife (Famke Janssen) of ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson). To boot, someone frames Mills for her death, spurring him to tear around Los Angeles in an attempt to clear his name by finding the real killer, all while out-maneuvering a dogged LAPD inspector (Forest Whitaker) and his underlings.
Per usual for Besson-factory product, neither logic nor common sense applies to much of anything that happens here. Neeson escapes seemingly inescapable situations—like, e.g., from a car he plunges down an elevator shaft on purpose—picks up murder weapons when he shouldn’t, and a cargo container defies the laws of physics at one point. And Whitaker could play his cop role in his sleep.
The new setting brightens things up considerably, though. Somehow, Neeson seems less malicious beating up bad guys—even Russian ones—in the California sunshine than he did in gray-skied Europe. As if commenting on the change in locale, the film has Neeson, rather amusingly, tell a cop whose car he commandeers at gunpoint, “Don’t be such a pessimist.”
And while scripting was never the series’ strong suit, Besson and frequent co-writer Robert Mark Kamen do manage to concoct a solid scenario/excuse for Neeson to shoot guns and punch people, and even include a twist to the mystery of the real killer, though some might see it coming. They also wisely allow more time for Mills’ CIA pals (Leland Orser, Jon Gries), who help Mills out.
Taken 2 helmer Olivier Megaton resumes that role here and choreographs the action smoothly, crafting a terrific car chase on a freeway and a superbly vicious scuffle between Neeson and some Russian goons in a convenience store. But he also makes Neeson’s quiet moments work, including a touching tête-à-tête Mills has with his daughter (Maggie Grace) in a bathroom stall.
I should note, too, that Grace is now 31. Last time, in 2012, her character was still a teen. Here she finally seems to have been allowed to age into her 20s. Maybe next time—emphasis on maybe, as this movie’s poster claims “IT ENDS HERE”—she’ll be the one doing the saving. I already have a title in mind for that installment. Ready? Taken 4 Granted. – [DVD] [Blu-Ray]
Action/Thriller
Rated PG-13
DVD Release Date: 4/21/15
