Film Review: TAKEN 2 (2012)

Director: Olivier Megaton
Writers: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Running time: 88 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
UK Release date: 4^th October 2012

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 8^th September 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having seen and enjoyed the first film in this series I was quite looking forward to a second instalment. Sadly it fell flat due to the studio’s insistence on “maximizing the audience” by toning it down to get a lower age certificate. So I was surprised to find the version showing on TV with a 15 Cert. as opposed to the 12 Cert. it was given on release. Now I know certification for TV works differently to that for a cinema release but even so I was actually looking forward to this one. I won’t do a summary this time because it’s basically the same story as the first film but with an element of revenge.

A well shot film making full use of its surroundings, Istanbul in this case. Well paced with the level action keeping the adrenalin pumping almost from the start. The performances were all very good although I felt nobody was particularly stretched. Liam Neeson was his usual self as Bryan Mills, Maggie Grace was good as daughter Kim, as was Famke Janssen as wife Lenore. Also worthy of note was Rade Serbedzija as major bad guy, Murad Krasniqi. It was ok as a piece of entertainment but I felt it didn’t do anything the first film didn’t. You usually expect a sequel to expand on the story of the first but this one virtually told the same story but with a couple of alterations. It seemed like the studio (Fox) were just out to cash in on the success of the first one. I’m just glad I didn’t go and watch it in a cinema but still, if you want entertainment that won’t stretch the little grey cells to much, then this is the one for you.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED (Just)

My score: 6.3/10.

IMDb Score: 6.2/10 (based on 124,940 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1397280/

MetaScore: 45/100: (Based on 35 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 21/100: (based on 162 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 54/100: (based on 197,482 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taken_2_2012/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: LOCKOUT (2012)

Directors: James Mather, & Stephen St. Leger
Writers: James Mather, Stephen St. Leger & Luc Besson
Running time: 92 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Thriller/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 20^th April 2012

Watched on Sky+ Friday 29^th March 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film got some really bad press on release and that’s probably why I decided to watch it. Well, that plus the fact its set in space with guns and all the stuff we boy like right? Ok, I’ll try to be calm now; I guess expectations were a little too high for this one but I decided it was worth the risk anyway. I must say it didn’t enthral me as much as I thought it would; exciting in parts, but ultimately… I guess I should tell you that part after this very brief summary.

When the President of the USA’s daughter, Emilie Warnock (Maggie Grace) is trapped on an orbiting high security prison where the inmates have taken control, there’s only one man to send it to rescue her. He is the recently unfairly convicted Snow (Guy Pearce). He has an ulterior motive and that is that the only man who has evidence that will absolve him is being kept at the same prison. He lands on the station and makes contact with Emilie, who is more concerned with getting the rest of the hostages safe. But it’s not long before the prisoners, led by Alex (Vincent Regan) and his psychotic brother, Hydell (Joseph Gilgun) realise jus who she is and the hunt is on! Add to the mix the good cop, Harry Shaw (Lennie James) and the bad cop Scott Langral (Peter Stormare) and a great game of cat and mouse aboard an orbiting space prison.

Whilst watching this I had a nagging feeling I had seen it all before… and I had! It’s ‘Escape From New York’ set is space! The trouble is, it’s not as good as ‘Escape From New York’ despite being set in space. It’s well put together with the exception of the CGI, which looked pretty ropy particularly at the beginning of the film. Performance-wise, well everyone was ok with nobody particularly standing out. I did think Guy Pearce does need to have a word with his agent though, he’s much better than this. Sadly I found it all a little too predictable and although it did have some exciting moments, it didn’t really satisfy.

SteelMonster’s verdict: NOT RECOMMENDED

My score: 5.2/10.

IMDb Score: 6.1/10 (based on 49,729 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1592525/

MetaScore: 48/100: (Based on 32 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 38/100 (based on 123 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 46/100 (based on 160,626 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lockout_2012/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
[first lines]
Langral: Again, what happened in that hotel room?
Snow: Oh, it was coupon night and I was trampolining your wife.
[Snow is punched in the face]
Langral: You're a real comedian aren't you, Snow?
Snow: Well I guess that's why they call it the punch line.
[Snow is punched again]
Langral: You don't like me, do you?
Snow: Don't flatter yourself. I don't like anybody.
Langral: With that attitude, I can see why nobody likes you.
Snow: Oh, come on. People love me. Just ask your wife.
[Snow is punched again]

Snow: Don't get me wrong. It's a dream vacation. I mean, I load up. I go into space. I get inside the maximum-security nuthouse. Save the President's daughter, if she's not dead already. Get past all the psychos who've just woken up. I'm thrilled that you would think of me.

Snow: Ok, see here on the map?
Emilie Warnock: Yeah.
Snow: That's where the pod is. You get in it, you fly away. The good guys will come and get you, ok?
Emilie Warnock: On my own?
Snow: You're a big girl, right? Here's an apple and a gun. Don't talk to strangers, shoot them.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lockoutmovie
Official Site: http://www.lockoutfilm.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: COLOMBIANA (2011)

Director: Olivier Megaton
Writers (screenplay): Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Running Time: 104 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Action/Thriller/Drama
UK Release Date: 9^th September 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 18^th August 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit I do enjoy a decent revenge thriller; there have been many over the years, everything from ‘Death Wish’ to the ‘Jason Bourne’ films. The trouble is, there are only so many ways you can tell the story; have the makers of ‘Colombiana’ found yet another twist? Well I’ll tell you after this very brief summary.

When the parents of ten year old Cataleya are killed in front of her in Bogota, Colombia, she swears revenge on the leader of the gang responsible, Don Luis Sandoval and his lieutenant, Marco. Her father had given her a way to get to America and the means to find her uncle Fabio. He gives her an education and trains her in the art of assassination. Fifteen years later, Cataleya is a seasoned killer who always leaves a calling card on her victims. This attracts the attention of the F.B.I. in the guise of Special Agent James Ross. He decides to publicise her calling card and, in turn this alerts her parents’ killers to her existence. All is set for a dramatic showdown when it is revealed that the bad guys are ‘guests’ of the C.I.A. in New Orleans. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (F.B.I. Division) will be tapping my phone (again).

Well made with some nice set pieces and fight scenes; hats off to the stunt guys and effects gurus. All the performances were very good; particularly Zoe Saldana as Cataleya, Lennie James as Special Agent James Ross and Amandla Stenberg as Cataleya age ten. Honourable mentions go to; Jordi Mollà as Marco, Michael Vartan as Danny Delanay, Jesse Borrego as Fabio Restrepo and Callum Blue as Richard.

There are only so many ways to tell a story of revenge and, I’m afraid, this one doesn’t do anything particularly groundbreaking. I liked the fact that they took time to give an account of Cataleya’s back-story, but they failed to show us any of her training. One minute she’s a ten year old going to school, the next she’s killing a bad guy in a police cell. A love interest is brought into the story in the guise of an artist, Richard, with whom who she the occasional tryst. But you know nothing can ever become of it because of the path she’s chosen. Over all; although quite well made; I did find it lacked in too many areas. The pacing was all over the place and I didn’t find many of the characters very convincing. There are some nice set-pieces and fight scenes though but it’s not one that will stay long in the memory.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED (just).

My Score 5.6/10

IMDb Score: 6.2/10 (based on 37,607 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1657507/

MetaScore: 45/100: (Based on 22 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 27/100 (based on 89 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 53/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 31,781 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/colombiana/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Cat - 10: I want to be a killer. Can you help me?
Emilio Restrepo: Sure.

William Woodgard: Baby, you put one drop of blood in there, and they'll be your biggest admirers.
Nymphette: Really?
William Woodgard: Oh, yeah, baby. All the way down to your clean stripped bones.

Emilio Restrepo: Never forget where you came from.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/colombiana/
Trailer:

Film Review: LÉON (a.k.a. THE PROFESSIONAL) (1994)

Writer/Director: Luc Besson
Running time: 105 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

UK release date: 3rd February 1995

Watched on DVD Tuesday 27th July 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

As this is my 100th film of the year I decided I would watch one of my all-time favourites. I have not seen Leon in quite a few years and so it was nice to become reacquainted with this classic. It’s not perfect, I know, but, to me, it will always be one of Luc Besson’s best.

Leon is a loner and a hit-man; he lives in an apartment in New York next door to the twelve year old Mathilda and her family. He gets his work from Italian mob boss, Tony. Mathilda’s father is into some shady drug dealings that land him in trouble with the rather psychotic Stansfield and his gang. She is out getting groceries when Stansfield calls and shoots her entire family. On returning she takes refuge in Leon’s apartment. Despite initial reservations, Leon takes her in and they move to a hotel. Mathilda swears revenge on the killers, mainly because one of the victims was her four-year-old brother. She asks Leon to teach her to do what he does for a living. Leon teaches her the basics and the pair grows closer as they learn to live with each other. Mathilda teaches him to read and he begins to not feel quite so lonely any more. On a visit to her former home Mathilda learns just who Stansfield is and what he does for a living. This is where things really get interesting, and this is where I will end my short synopsis.

This is a really well made film with a great soundtrack, there are a couple of songs, but the original score is great. As with all the Luc Besson films I’ve seen there is always an element of humour in the main characters and this is no different. Tremendous performances from both Jean Reno as Leon and Natalie Portman as Mathilda. Gary Oldman is his usual ‘over the top’ self as the psychotic Stansfield and Danny Aiello is also very good as Tony.

I really engaged with the characters of Leon and Mathilda. You really believe that what they feel for each other is true. There is always a certain sense of style about a Luc Besson film, something I have not seen in the films of any other director. As I said at the beginning, this film is not perfect, but it will always be one of my favourites. It still stands up fifteen years after its release. For me: always recommended.

My score: 8.5/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0110413/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi2744254745/

Film Review: TRANSPORTER 3 (2008)

Director: Olivier Megaton
Writers: Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen
Running time: 104 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 23rd January 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must first admit to being a bit of a fan of the work of Luc Besson ever since I saw the brilliant Léon (1994). He has been involved in the writing of all three films in this series and I have seen, and enjoyed, them all. He brings a certain style to the work that just isn’t present in the work of writers working out of America. The setting is, of course, Europe, and the transporter of the title, Frank Martin, has got troubles, yet again.

Having retired from his work, Frank is living a relaxing life in the south of France. He goes fishing with his friend, Inspector Tarconi and generally enjoys his new found freedom. That is until one evening when an ex-colleague crashes through the wall of his house with a girl asleep in the back of his car. Frank calls an ambulance not knowing that if the driver strays too fear from the vehicle a bracelet on his wrist will explode, killing him instantly. Unfortunately Frank realises this too late for his friend. The explosion knocks him out and he finds himself in a strange room with a bracelet attached to his wrist. A Mr Johnson enters the room and persuades him to come out of retirement. He has to take a girl, Valentina, to a destination that is set on the GPS they have fitted to his car. Unknown to Frank, Valentina is the daughter of a Ukrainian diplomat who is being blackmailed by a large American corporation to allow the dumping of toxic waste in the Ukraine. As you can guess, Frank is not happy with the situation and is soon causing problems for his new ‘employers’.

Now, I know it’s not the greatest piece of cinema, but I did find it very entertaining. The film was very well made with the fight sequences and car chases being choreographed perfectly. I found the pacing to be excellent also; I wasn’t looking at my watch once! Very good performances from all of the leading performers, Jason Statham as Frank Martin, Natalya Rudakova as Valentina, François Berléand as Inspector Tarconi and Robert Knepper as always excellent as the bad guy Johnson.

As I said at the beginning, I have been a bit of a fan of Luc Besson for quite a while and I must say that, although it’s not his best work, I enjoyed this film very much. It doesn’t tax the ‘little grey cells’ too much, but it is entertaining and I guess that’s what it is meant to do.

My score: 6.7/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1129442/
Official Site: http://transporter3film.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi3362652185/