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RE: Taken Review - 4/3/2009 12:40:02 PM

Ghost Mutt

Posts: 179
Joined: 28/11/2005
From: London

quote:

ORIGINAL: UTB

The Daily Star gave it "TEN out of TEN"

I think Empire are lying.

I agree, The Daily Star is my bible.

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Post #: 151

I just dont get this film... - 4/3/2009 11:32:23 PM

happyfingers69

Posts: 3
Joined: 29/12/2008

The first 20-30 minutes that dont have any action in has some seriously bad acting in it. Neeson acts like a newb! Its embarrassing! And i was pretty much laughing the whole time because i dont honestly think that there is anyone on earth who loves their daughter as much as Bryan (Neeson) does. When she's not with him he sits on a chair in the middle of his sitting room looking at a picture of her! Its weird but extremely funny when you realise what i mean. Im giving it 3 stars though due to the brilliant action sequences, and punches that sound like the hulk smashing a bag of bones. Good acting, strangely awful acting, weird film.

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Post #: 152

A great actioner for normal folk no affected by PC gone... - 5/3/2009 6:27:38 PM

stormy1990s

Posts: 4
Joined: 5/3/2009

Jesus, SOMEONE'S got a slight chip on their shoulder! *nods in the direction of Dan Jolin*. If this is how Empire are now reviewing their movies, I think I'll start buying Total Film instead. A shocking review.....

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Post #: 153

There's nothing wrong with this movie - 6/3/2009 11:21:55 AM

Adendum

Posts: 5
Joined: 3/2/2006

Are all the negative reviewers - even the Empire's own Mr Jolin - all missing the point? I think so, sadly a trait of many reviews these days.

It's simply an action thriller that sets the simple story very quickly and then we're taken on a rampage of "revenge" and "retribution". Excellent body count, good wins over evil and everyone is happy. Well I was...enough to buy it on DVD as soon as it came out.

Great entertainment for anyone who doesn't have their own head up their own arse!

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Post #: 154

Boring - 10/3/2009 5:22:44 AM

Halo14

Posts: 67
Joined: 5/6/2008

Empire, your review is SPOT ON!!! Well done. A lot of my friends were raving about this move. I fucking hated it. Boring shite!!!

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Post #: 155

RE: Boring - 11/3/2009 7:20:37 AM

jobloffski

Posts: 1846
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: elsewhere

Still haven't seen, but a much respected mate likes it and refers to it as 'Liam Neeson beats up Paris'.

Does that sum it up?

If so, is that the kind of semi-humorous frame of mind that best suits this kind of kick-arsey-ass movie that announces intentions of arsey-ass kicking then goes on to kick both ass, arse, and then kick art?

I love Inland Empire, for example, but when I saw Crank it was so fucking stupid, and knowingly so, I couldn't keep the grin off my face.

Will I lose out by looking for depth in Taken, when I should be thinking YEAH, one taken down, two taken down, go Liam, knock over the world if it's between you and your kid!!

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Post #: 156

RE: Boring - 16/3/2009 11:25:15 AM

CORLEONE

Posts: 4599
Joined: 2/11/2005
From: Green and Pleasant Land

1 star from Empire, $127m gross in the U.S.

Hmmmm.

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Post #: 157

RE: Boring - 16/3/2009 12:09:29 PM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

9% drop from last week in the box office in America. Pretty amazing. The movie is really speaking to people.

Lets see a sequel with Nesson and his drinking buddies going on a mission.

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Post #: 158

RE: Boring - 16/3/2009 1:25:17 PM

broonie

Posts: 866
Joined: 30/9/2005

Not a bad film at all, seen films that are a lot worse and are given high ratings by Empire.

3 stars at least. Also, Neeson has always looked a right hard bar steward!

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Post #: 159

Bollox review from Empire! - 30/3/2009 7:46:51 AM

tallaght24

Posts: 734
Joined: 20/2/2007

Honestly guys, don't really think you get it wrong much but this time you did.

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Post #: 160

Empire Seriously Losing It - 30/3/2009 1:28:26 PM

Hillsman

Posts: 137
Joined: 12/12/2005
From: Belfast

Once again, Empire demonstrate that they're simply not in touch with their readers or modern day film fans.

My wife and I watched this last night. She is not a fan of action....only X-Men, Bourne & Batman allowed and this is more to do with the leading men! However, we watched Taken last night and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yes, it was violent and Neeson's character's morality was seriously questionable, but it wasn't all wanton destruction and in the end, some very bad people get what they deserve. Can't we just enjoy that thought for a while?

The story was admittedly ridiculous....daddy's worst fears realised within 2.4 seconds of arriving in Paris...but this sort of thing does happen. Perhaps this film will open a few eyes and encourage some additional waryness as well as satisfy fans of kick-ass fighting, driving and gun-play!!

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Post #: 161

- 8/4/2009 11:59:29 PM

PureAinmhi

Posts: 94
Joined: 16/11/2008
From: Ireland

One star??? You must have been watching the wrong film. This was great. Not absolutely fantastic but a great action movie. Not the most amazing dialogue to ever be put onto the big screen but there's tons of great action sequences in here. Good to see Neeson doing a fairly different role for a change.

Well worth a watch.

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Post #: 162

RE: Agreed - 9/4/2009 5:34:24 PM

Galahadfairlight

Posts: 6
Joined: 11/10/2008

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

I find it difficult to reconcile the suggestion from anyone that they aren't PR plants, but yet feel the need to join a site for the magazine they've claimed to read for ages just because of the review of a lame action thriller - that excises them more than any other review Empire has ever given? This movie is neither good nor important enough for a review to be 'catastrophically' wrong. Which is why the word 'plant' is the one that tends to come to the fore.

Fraid you're going to have to reconcile that notion me old chum, its quite a valid point to make. It does seem odd doesn't it that lots of people post here for the first time, pretty much saying the same thing. I don't want my opinion to be denigrated or brushed off as 'being a plant', hence why I decided to make the distinction for people such as yourself

And as I stated quite pointedly, my views of movies and Empires are mostly 'on the same page', but when a reviewer gets it so categorically wrong, i'm inclined to speak up.

Lest I think that by complaining about people like me, you're actually Dan Jolins alternate account name?

Oh no, I didn't just make a stupid suggestion there did I, much like the juvenile one you just made!

Sigh

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Post #: 163

Come on it was a bit rubbish......... - 19/4/2009 3:22:45 PM

VictoC

Posts: 15
Joined: 1/6/2008
From: Bristol

The first 20 mins are shite, it is really cheesy and predictable and Maggie Grace's character is a twat (loved the run) but i do think 1 star was harsh. I would think 2 1/2.

Neeson meant proper business even if his "i will find and i WILL kill you" comment had me crease up was nice to see him do something different

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Post #: 164

RE: Come on it was a bit rubbish......... - 30/4/2009 6:39:38 PM

musht

Posts: 1220
Joined: 21/1/2009
From: Oireland

Good action overshadowed by bad acting and a bad script, a bad film that my friend dared to compare to die hard . . . they are in different leagues, there are leagues in between the two leagues that those films go into

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Post #: 165

1 star are you out of your mind? - 10/5/2009 10:15:43 PM

enema0007

Posts: 2
Joined: 12/2/2006

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, I was on the edge of my seat all the way through.

If you like Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne and the new James Bond, take some time out to watch this film, sheer ruthlessness. Much better than the absolute political rubbish that was Syriana which you lot gave 4 stars.....

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Post #: 166

EMPIRE! WTF!!! - 10/5/2009 11:22:46 PM

mgmhog

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/4/2007

1 Star??? Come on!! Get with the times Empire - it may not be a perfect film but its VERY watchable and enjoyable. Ok, so there are plot hole sbut tell me a film without any!! This needs a re-review!

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Post #: 167

RE: EMPIRE! WTF!!! - 16/5/2009 3:52:50 PM

Rob

Posts: 2434
Joined: 30/9/2005

As others have said a thoroughly entertaining film and at least worthy of three if not four stars for me. I find it hard to believe the reviewer found so little to enjoy in there. Cheesey yes, generic yes but it moves along quickly with some fantastic action and Neeson makes for a very convincing action man. Enjoy it for what it is!

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Post #: 168

RE: EMPIRE! WTF!!! - 17/5/2009 3:52:09 PM

Jasper

Posts: 424
Joined: 1/10/2005

In my opinion a one star rating should be reserved for truly worthless films. For my money Liam Neeson was a much morebelievable badass than, say, Will Hunting -- I mean Jason Bourne.

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Post #: 169

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 17/5/2009 5:59:27 PM

JagLover

Posts: 447
Joined: 11/5/2007

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillsman

Once again, Empire demonstrate that they're simply not in touch with their readers or modern day film fans.

Once again Empire lets Political correctness determine their movie reviews.

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Post #: 170

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 17/5/2009 6:03:11 PM

Squidward Hark Bugle

Posts: 9391
Joined: 17/10/2007
From: Laurel Canyon

This movie is unbelievably bad, and calling it an action film makes the action seem worse, only because you're focusing on the crapness of the action and not the crapness of the film in general.

I don't get why people are in an uproar.

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Post #: 171

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 18/5/2009 3:52:43 PM

Rob

Posts: 2434
Joined: 30/9/2005

I wouldn't say I was in uproar but surely, as Japser states, a one star review should be reserved for truly bad films. Is it a great movie? Probably not. Is it good fun and throughly enjoyable for start to finish? Absolutely, at least it was for me. It just seems that sometimes Empire of late is always looking for what's bad in movies instead of switching the mind to neutral and just enjoying things for what they are.

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Post #: 172

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 18/5/2009 4:03:38 PM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

I like how Nesson warns his daughter about Paris and in something like the space of two hours landing in France she is kidnapped.

Watched it this weekend. Still delightful.

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Post #: 173

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 19/5/2009 12:38:42 PM

Sinatra

Posts: 7538
Joined: 3/10/2005

1 star?
This is why I stopped buying Empire... they're more interested in advertising than films.
Very enjoyable watch, he's make Bourne look like a pussy...!

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Post #: 174

RE: Empire Seriously Losing It - 22/5/2009 11:38:57 PM

Emyr Thy King

Posts: 2154
Joined: 13/4/2006
From: The Grid

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sinatra

1 star?
This is why I stopped buying Empire... they're more interested in advertising than films.
Very enjoyable watch, he's make Bourne look like a pussy...!

Probably because he acts like a cock, shafting his villains.

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Post #: 175

RE: Boring - 23/5/2009 1:23:53 AM

KnightofZyryab

Posts: 5777
Joined: 26/12/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: CORLEONE

1 star from Empire, $127m gross in the U.S.

Hmmmm.

So, every 25 mill is an extra star right ?

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Post #: 176

RE: Boring - 25/5/2009 8:39:11 PM

spamandham

Posts: 481
Joined: 27/11/2008

Once again, a cretinous film for cretinous people. No wonder it did well financially in the US market.

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Post #: 177

RE: Boring - 29/5/2009 3:58:48 AM

JoeyPottr

Posts: 2066
Joined: 10/2/2009

How the hell was it boring? I just don't get critics. One damn star? I thought it moved along great. The gadgets were interesting, the scenarios realistic (don't worry no spoilers) I thought it was great, the scary thing is though that stuff like that really happens all the time, everywhere. The only way of being able to track something like that is to have the skills and connections that Neeson's character had. Otherwise it's a lost cause. By all means Spamandham, bash the American moviegoing audience because they went to see a film with an IRISH actor is the lead!

then again I like Liam Neeson he's a great actor, always good.
****Minor spoiler I loved the driving scene where Neeson wrecks the hell out of the bad guys' cars and blows up half the construction site!

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Post #: 178

RE: Boring - 2/6/2009 2:23:05 PM

spamandham

Posts: 481
Joined: 27/11/2008

quote:

f like that really happens all the time, everywhere. The only way of being able to track something like that is to have the skills and connections that Neeson's character had. Otherwise it's a lo

quote:

ORIGINAL: JoeyPottr

How the hell was it boring? I just don't get critics. One damn star? I thought it moved along great. The gadgets were interesting, the scenarios realistic (don't worry no spoilers) I thought it was great, the scary thing is though that stuff like that really happens all the time, everywhere. The only way of being able to track something like that is to have the skills and connections that Neeson's character had. Otherwise it's a lost cause. By all means Spamandham, bash the American moviegoing audience because they went to see a film with an IRISH actor is the lead! then again I like Liam Neeson he's a great actor, always good.
****Minor spoiler I loved the driving scene where Neeson wrecks the hell out of the bad guys' cars and blows up half the construction site!

Northern Irish actually, he's from Ballymena

(in reply to JoeyPottr)

Post #: 179

RE: Boring - 5/6/2009 5:08:51 PM

Lazarus munkey

Posts: 1651
Joined: 20/3/2006
From: out of nowhere

One star is a little harsh but the film is shit. It's a make of Commando but hasn't got the common sense to be a cartoon. The action scenes are visceral, brutal and brilliantly staged because you neve lose track of who's doing what to whom, rare in this climate of MTV editing and crash-zooms aplenty and it's only the action that staves off one-star shame.
What butchers the film is the reliance on clich� and the sheer absense of logic.

**spoilers**
If two girls agree to be picked up for a party at a place they don't know, what's the point of kidnapping them from where they're staying?
Is, "There's a boat by the dock" really a strong enough lead to warrant killing the snitch?
I wish this was it but the film is peppered with lazy plotting over-reliant on coincidence - note how Neeson leaves the party just in time to see the baddy escaping with his daughter despite being unconcious for an unspecified length of time. Marvel at Neeson tricking the one man from "hundreds" into repeating the same words he used on the phone to reveal his guilt. And don't get me started on the pop star sub-plot.
Basically, the film goes off the rails when the Albanians are dealt with. To this point it's a good actioner with a couple of flaws but when it gets out of the dirt it's just too silly.
**spoiler over**

Frustrating because this could have been great.

2/5. Two stars for the action and fuck all else for the remaining drivel.

< Message edited by Lazarus munkey -- 5/6/2009 5:10:16 PM >

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Post #: 180