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David McK (3496 KP) rated Mission: Impossible (1996) in Movies

Jan 15, 2023  
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Mission: Impossible (1996)
1996 | Action, Mystery
8
7.5 (34 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
The first of the Tom Cruise starring M:I films, this is actually a very different piece than some of the later entries with a smaller scale, more personal, threat than the world threatening shenanigans that would follow (note: I quite like some of the later films).

here, we have Tom Cruise's superspy Ethan Hunt on the run and trying to clear his name after being framed for the murder of his entire team (during the bravura opening section), a task that involves the now-iconic 'dangling-form-the-wires' scene when he (and the new team he puts together) has to break into the CIA headquarters in Langley to steal some data - a masterclass in suspense.

Yes, it has aged slightly (it is over 25 years old now, remember!), but still holds up surprisingly well!
  
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Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense in Books

Nov 28, 2022  
Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense
Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense
Alyssa Richards | 2022 | Thriller
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


I was hooked from the get-go. This is part of the Chasing Secrets series but, as far as I can tell, you don't have to read both. I think they are stand-alone.


Harper has been on the run for a long time, hiding her identity to stay safe from the drug cartel she was kidnapped by when she was younger. I don't want to say too much as I feel it would take away from the suspense that the story gives. It is so cleverly written, I found myself being pulled so far in that I was getting anxious that things wouldn't be fixed.


It is a recommendation by me. A fantastic mystery that keeps you on your toes.
  
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Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Taken 3 (2015) in Movies

Jun 11, 2019  
Taken 3 (2015)
Taken 3 (2015)
2015 | Action
4
6.3 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Impossible to recommend
The first Taken propelled Liam Neeson to action man stardom and became one of the most surprising hits of 2009. Its successor to some extent managed to capture the same thrilling suspense despite its ridiculous 12A certification.

Despite Neeson’s efforts to shut the series down, he decided to return as Bryan Mills for his final outing, Taken 3, but can it hold a candle to its predecessors?

No is the short answer. Everything from Neeson’s phoned-in performance to the horrific camerawork and poor special effects ensure it becomes the first turkey of 2015, and by the end, you’ll wish it was you being taken – out of the cinema.

Taken 3 follows Mills as he tries to evade the LAPD after he is wrongly accused of killing his wife Lenny – played by Famke Janssen who wasliamneeson clearly more interested in the paycheque than anything else.

This is the first problem with the film. Showing the killing of Janssen’s character in the trailer makes the audience all too aware of where the film is going – destroying any suspense that you would expect from the murder of a series’ main character.

Maggie Grace returns as Kim, now looking like the world’s oldest teenager and is the only actor to leave the film with their reputation intact. Her performance is decent but the hammy, almost comedic dialogue she is given to work with spoils her credibility.

Taken-3-Movie-PosterA new addition is Forest Whitaker who plays the detective tasked with bringing Mills in, Franck Dotzler, though he again gives a career-worst performance.

As with its predecessor, Taken 3 suffers from a ridiculous 12A certification which means that Neeson is only able to look vaguely menacing. The action which was such an integral part of the first film is completely lost and becomes repetitive after seeing the 15th punch in a row.

Unfortunately, Oliver Megaton’s uninspiring direction only worsens things. Taking lessons from the Michael Bay school of cinematography, everything is ridiculously shaky, devoid of any suspense or tension at all.

The final act of Taken 3’s 109 minute running time alleviates the offerings somewhat but there’s a twist you can see coming from a mile away.

Overall, Neeson’s performances have always bettered some of the more average films of his career, but by the time the end credits role here it feels like Liam himself is fed up. From an incomprehensible script to bland performances, Taken 3 is a dire film which simply is impossible to give a recommendation.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/01/09/impossible-to-recommend-taken-3-review/