Taken 3 - 即刻救援3

Taken 3 (即刻救援3) is an 2014 film out of France. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen. Additional supporting cast include Dougray Scott and Forest Whitaker for this installment. This is the third installment, sequel Taken 2 and the original 2008 movie, Taken, all starring the same main cast. Due to its success at the box office worldwide, the third installment was most likely a money grab.

Bryan is still trying to be a good dad and ok ex-husband. But he seems to continue to be in both their lives and they don't always welcome it. This time around, the wife and daughter are the victims and he must use his very special set of skills to track and kill his enemies. This time, the movies takes place in Los Angeles and he make them look like people that can't find people.

This installment felt long. Felt like nothing was a surprise. If it was something new, because we know Mills is a badd @$$, you weren't impressed. You just assumed he could and should. If you haven't seen the first two, skip this one and go back and watch the first one. Its special.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters - 女巫獵人

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters (女巫獵人) is an 2013 film. The movie stars Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, and Famke Janssen. The movie is based on the adult lives of the fairy tale, Hänsel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel are taken to the forest by their dad and with a glance, say goodbye to their mother. In the forest, they get lost and stumble on a candy cottage and fight the candy witch to the death. The find out that witch magic doesn't work on them and eventually vanquish the witch by burning her. When they get back to their home, its been burned down. Fast forward 20+ years and the two siblings are witch hunter rock stars. They land in Ansburg as the town sheriff is about to burn a witch. They stop him letting them know that witches have rotting skin and teeth. The mayor has hired them to recover 10 kids that have recently been kidnapped. Let the witch hunt begin.

This movie is a guilty pleasure type film. Witch hunting with shotguns and pistols? Falling form the sky and surviving? Witches that move super fast once in awhile? It was more comic book than real life. Almost like a Xena or Hercules episode. Kick butt, no blood, and win. However, at the end, it does get a little bloody and we see some real deaths.

With a sequel on the way, I wouldn't mind getting on for another ride.

The Wolverine - 金鋼狼:武士之戰

The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰) is an 2013 film. The movies Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine. The supporting cast include Tao Okamoto, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rila Fukushima, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, and Famke Janssen. The film is loosly based on the 1982 limited series Wolverine by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.



Logan is having trouble being around people. Hiding out in the woods somewhere, Logan relives having to take Jean Grey's life during X-Men: The Last Stand. Unable to sleep well, he dreams of Jean and accidentally stabbing her to death with his claws. Yukio travels to the US in search of Logan to bring back to Japan for her benefactor and employer, Yashida. Yashida was saved by the bomb blast during World War II when Logan used his body as a human shield. Yashida parlayed his life into transforming a company named after himself into one of the biggest conglomerates in Japan. Yashida wants to relieve Logan of his immortality. But Logan refues and Yashida dies. At the funeral, Yashida's granddaughter Mariko is named the heir to his empire. The yakuza kidnap her, but Logan rescue's her and they both go on the run since they are not sure who they can trust. Can Logan figure out how to save Mariko from those that want her dead and also save himself?



This movie was light years better than 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This story was well written, featured plenty of mystery, and had some good looking Asian people. Asian Americans Will Yun Lee and Brian Tee take a turn being Japanese with their faux Nippon accents. Both move the story along. The movie itself was pretty tense and moved quite fast due to having to cover so much. Tao Okamoto (Target's Phillip Lim collection commerical) is striking as the "damsel in distress" role.



The action was pretty well done although some things were a little absurd like ninja clan back story and the Silver Samarai with the energized swords made of adamantium. What?! Isn't it too easy to just cut adamantium?



In general, a good movie with good action, a mystery plot line, and lots of eye candy.

Taken 2 - 即刻救援2

Taken 2 (即刻救援2) is an 2012 film. The movie stars Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen. This film is the sequel to the 2008 movie, Taken, starring the same main cast. Due to its success at the box office worldwide, talks of a third installment have been rumored.

Liam Neeson plays a retired CIA agent, Bryan Mills, that moonlights as an bodyguard now. On assignment in Istanbul, Turkey, he invites his daughter and ex-wife to let off steam from their tumultuous LA lives. However, the Albanian kidnappers from the first movie has an extensive family that seeks revenge. They find out he's in Turkey and they will have blood. The movie starts with the kidnap of Bryan and his wife Kim. Lenore, the daughter, actually helps him out in this film.

This was a pretty ok movie. The action was furious and the plot line was straight forward. Revenge, revenge, and some more revenge. If you liked the first one, you'll get a kick out of this one.

Taken - 即刻救援

Taken (即刻救援) is an 2008 film. The movie stars Liam Neeson. The supporting cast includes Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace. Taken was a sleeper hit in 2009. With a very weak opening weekend, it ended up grossing a little over $225 million worldwide. A sequel is in the works.

Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent. Liam retired to the Los Angeles area in an attempt to spend more time with his 17 year old daughter, Kim played by Maggie Grace. Kim convinces Bryan to let her spend the summer in Paris at her friend Amanda's cousins house. When they get to Paris, they make quick friends with a handsome local. However, this local is setting them up for a kidnapping. While the kidnapping happens, Kim phones home to Bryan. Bryan starts from there to track down her daughter in Paris.

This film was very slow to start, but ended with a bang. I can see how it was sleeper hit. Liam isn't exactly your household action hero. However, the film was quite good and has made Liam a action star now. Maggie Grace does dump down your performance to play a 17 year old. A little too over in some cases, but effective enough. I just wonder where the authorities were when Liam went all action hero taking no prisoners in Paris and got home safely. Ugly Americans. Even though Liam is a Irish.