In for some Liam Neeson kicking Turkish ass? Check out Taken 2 — guaranteed to be more like Taken than the first Taken. In the mood for something morbid but funny? Frankenweenie opens this weekend — hopefully to defy the Burton / Disney dynamic that has disappointed as of late. Interested in Zac Efron and pee? You will need to deal with those predilections privately.
Taken 2: It’s undeniable that Liam Neeson is a box-office draw. Over the past few years, his films rake in millions upon millions of dollars — despite their ostensible silliness. I expect Taken 2 to be no less successful — or silly. The first one had its flaws, gaping plot holes, and unbelievable moments, but I got the allure: Liam Neeson works his way through a gauntlet of bad guys to rescue his daughter. What’s not to like? I suppose what irks me most about this sequel is Bryan Mills’ (Liam Neeson) assertion that he will do what he “does best,” keep his family safe. This, however, is a gross misstatement because the first movie is predicated on Mills finding his daughter and saving her, while the second movie is centered on, well, Mills finding his wife, but keeping her and his daughter safe. Just because he did a blood-spilling, but evidently mediocre job the first time, doesn’t mean it’s what he does best; rather, it means it’s what he does often because he doesn’t do it whole-heartedly the first time. Certainly, this line would have been to verbose and lengthy for the trailer, but at least it would have been more accurate.
Frankenweenie: I am once again torn, and it’s because, once again of Tim Burton. Frankenweenie is the latest endeavor by Disney and Burton, which can only mean that we will get a lot of Burtonesque macabre and darkness for the first hour and change or so of this modern-day interpretation of Frankenstein that focuses on the love between a boy and his recently deceased dog. However, the final third of the movie is sure to be Disneyfied with results that will most likely disappoint those who read the book as a child, or those who were paying attention the narrative whatsoever. If they do, veering from the book is okay; I can only hope that nothing comes close to Fuderwhacking.
The Paperboy: Romantic pee scene? (I wonder how many people will stumble upon this site because of this tag.) Or, perhaps Zac Efron wearing mostly tighty whiteys throughout? Regardless, Matthew McConaughey is on a bit of a roll recently with his turns in The Lincoln Lawyer, Magic Mike, and Killer Joe, so it might be worth watching him in this movie as well. He’s accompanied by Nicole Kidman who has also had her moments. Perhaps this story of intrigue and mystery will be one to catch.
