Film review: 'Taken 3' makes you glad 'it ends here'

Director: Olivier Megaton
Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace, Dougray Scott
Rating: **

What's it about: Bryan Mills (Neeson) was to meet his ex wife Lenore (Famke Janssen), armed with hot bagels. Except, by the time he reaches his apartment, she's already dead - her throat slit by an unknown assailant. He's found near her body with the murder weapon nearby. She had made a 911 call minutes before dying, so the cops get there in time to assume he's the killer. He bolts, not because he's guilty, but because he needs to find out who framed him and why. Now, if only Franck Dotzler (Whitaker), the officer investigating the case, would let him be, instead of pursuing him to "let the law take its course'.

What's hot: Without Neeson, one wouldn't venture into this movie at all. He's the only good thing about the film. 

What's not: One wonders why Whitaker even took up this film. Olivier Megaton, who also helmed Taken 2, seems less assured this time around. The action scenes seem tired, forced at best. The plot is so predictable, you know who's responsible as soon as he makes an appearance. There's no guesswork, despite attempts (feeble, at best) to twist your attention in that direction.

What to do: Kinda glad 'it ends here'. Had just about enough of 'Bad Luck' Bryan Mills. You can't keep flogging the same old horse forever.