Taken back and again

I'd never imagine the first Taken movie would become the unmitigated hit it was back in 2009, and I'd never thought two more sequels would follow, considering the plot of the first movie was about Liam Neeson's character's daughter being abducted. Evidently, he does rescue her (not much of a spoiler there) so it didn't make sense how a sequel could follow that and yet here we are with the third, and possibly final film in the franchise. If you didn't see the last one, don't worry; there's hardly any references to the events that occurred in the previous entry. The story this time around follows Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) caught in a conspiracy when someone close to him is killed and is framed for their murder. Brian must go on the run and find the person who framed him and why, all the while avoiding LAPD inspector Frank Dotzler (Forest Whittaker) who is in pursuit of him.....that's pretty much it in a nutshell. There are a few plot twists here and there but let's be honest; the Taken movies aren't known for their story telling and writing (or acting for that matter), and I'm starting to think at this point, even the studio and producers know that now. The story just serves as a set up for a few action set pieces which in the least keeps the movie from being a bore. That being said, I do feel that the franchise has run out of steam but a part of me doubts that this is the last film in the franchise, considering how profitable each one has been. Perhaps we'll see a reboot sometime in the future much like the Transporter franchise (the new one comes out later this year). Until that day arrives, Taken 3 gives us more of what we've come to expect, which is neither memorable or bad.

-Reviewed by Razor, 4/30/15