Tak3n

Here we are again...

Another unnecessary sequel for a franchise that took a nose-dive during its last outing.

Tak3n represents what is the third film (as if you couldn't guess by that clever name!) in this Liam Neeson action/thriller series. The first film was a strong action film for Neeson, although I consider it a bit overrated all things considered and nowhere near as strong as some other Neeson-centric films (*cough The Grey cough cough*). A sequel was a no brainer given how successful the first film was but unfortunately the second film was idiotic, generic, and abysmal -- much unlike the first. Taken 2 introduced director Olivier Megaton to the series who has run it into the ground a bit.

Most critics are being incredibly harsh on Tak3n, giving it scores that would result in it being one of the worst reviewed films of the year (and it's only January). Overall, I'd say they are being a little too critical of it and, much like Michael Bay films, are taking out their displeasure of the film on the director rather than the film itself. Tak3n is no masterpiece, that much is certain. Nor is it one of Neeson's stronger films. But given how terrible Taken 2 was, I can comfortably say that Tak3n is better than it, although many issues from that film still carry over into this one.

[In Liam Neeson voice]
"You can't see me behind this sign!
I'm invisible!"

One of the biggest issues I had with Tak3n was its reason for existing. Rather than tying it back to the first two films at all, which, given the body count of those films I'm sure that more than a few people want Bryan Mills (Neeson) dead. It's plot is really one big coincidence once everything is revealed and the series' constant obsession with Kim (Maggie Grace) would make one think that she is some magical/sacred alien. Why does everyone want her? I applaud the film for going a different direction this time around with a plot that doesn't center around an abduction, but taken on its own, it's ludicrous and just a little too convenient. Another huge issue is the direction by Megaton, specifically the action direction. During quiet scenes, the editing and camerawork are fine enough, but during any type of action scenes, the editing is frantic and the camerawork is way overdone. Want a specific example? In one scene where Mills jumps out a window to a dumpster below (maybe a 6 foot drop), during the 2 seconds that Mills is falling, we get 5 different camera angles of the action. The gun fights, car chases, and fist fights all follow this format and it's exhausting, and more than a little headache inducing.

Porsche: more durable than you would think!

"Is there any more evidence I could eat
at this crime scene?"

Megaton's direction is a bit of a shame because, underneath a more capable director, Tak3n could have been a strong action film. It has decent characters and the characterization that has been built up over the last three films makes Bryan and Kim deeper than your average father-daughter combo. For what it's worth, it's not nearly as dumb as Taken 2 with regards to logic or reasoning, and at the end of the day, audiences still love to watch Liam Neeson beat up baddies.

Ultimately Tak3n represents what I would call a forgettable sequel. It doesn't play into the larger picture (is there one in this series?) at all, it doesn't bring much new to the genre, and besides being a decently okay one-time view, it's not something you would need to see again.

Given how successful it has been over the past couple days, I'm guessing that a Taken 4 (or perhaps, 4aken?) is probable. I just pray that Liam Neeson only signs on if Megaton is no longer director because between the last two films it's clear: Megaton has got to go.

CONS:

• The film doesn't play into any larger picture that this series is trying to achieve. Once all the cards are out on the table, Mills' involvement is pretty much a coincidence
• Atrocious action editing/camerawork. Whatever happened to letting the camera hang onto a scene?
• Some really weird aspects such as: a Russian operative in his whitey tighties, and Forest Whitaker's detective eats evidence and plays with rubber bands and chess pieces. Wait what?
• Whitaker doesn't do well in this film. At times it sounds like he is reciting lines
• Nothing really inventive or new is brought to the action genre
• The film feels much longer than its runtime
• Megaton's direction

PROS:

• These characters (i.e. Bryan and Kim) have some decent characterization behind them now that we are on the third film. I cared about what happened to them
• Some cool action stunts (although most are ruined by the terrible editing)
• Well chosen soundtrack
• Neeson is still a badass
• I don't know if I'd call it "worthwhile", but I wasn't mad that I saw Tak3n. It met, and possibly slightly surpassed, my low expectations

Rath's Review Score: 5.5/10