TAKEN 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Taken 2—cool action—can be a bit cliched compared to the first film, but its organized presentation cannot be faulted. The scenes involving how to find someone with sound are exceptionally interesting. Liam Neeson is such a good casting choice for this story. The movie is worth watching and does not serve a single boring scene to the audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An Albanian mafia lord seeks revenge for the death of his son. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Olivier Megaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Luc Besson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Šerbedžija, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, D.B. Sweeney, and Luke Grimes. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves needs of the action film fan and is an overall good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

TAKEN (Theatrical Release Canada 2008)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Taken—rough movie—has a need to be told story with a good cautionary message for parents with independent teens. The film has an excellent presentation that is backed with an outstanding performance of Liam Neeson at his best. Don’t miss this watch. It completely involves its audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

An ex-CIA’s daughter is abducted and sold into the sex industry. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Pierre Morel for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Luc Besson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Katie Cassidy, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, David Warshofsky, Holly Valance, and Xander Berkeley. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie runs on an exceptionally good storyline and is a good, instructive watch to share with older children. Liam Neeson heads the acting profession in his portrayal of an ex-CIA man seeking the whereabouts of a beloved daughter. Terrific writing. The timing of each scene is well done and follows good sequencing. The movie could easily be missed. Do not miss it. It is well worth its watch on many levels and for many reasons.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WOLVERINE (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Wolverine—better than the first film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine—gets down to entertaining and begins a welcome shedding of its comic book ‘campiness’.  That comic book feel works in some films while in others it takes away from the quality of presentation. The Wolverine character is an example of that…he’s great as he plays it straight. This movie is a spin-off sequel to X-Men: The Last Stand. The movie earns its right to watch time and monetary investment. It’s an overall great watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

During the war, Wolverine saves a Japanese military officer from an atomic bomb blast. When the officer becomes aged, he asks Wolverine to visit him so the officer can repay his debt. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Mangold for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Hutch Parker for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rita Fukushima, Famke Janssen, and Will Yun Lee. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The cinematography and presentation work at higher quality levels than the last movie. It’s a good watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men: The Last Stand—good concept, story quality fluctuates throughout the movie—reprises most of the actors and actresses for this final film in the series. The quality of entertainment is on par with the first two movies. The next movie about X-Men begins with prequel stories to the series and starts with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when mutants are offered an inoculation to cure mutantism. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brett Ratner for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, and Ave Arad for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Patrick Stewart, and Vinnie Jones.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good/suitable watch and is comparable in entertainment quality to the first two X-Men movies. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

X2: X-MEN UNITED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X2: X-Men United—elaborates on the X-Men story—reprises the roles of Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. It adds Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The  presentation needs more crafting but the movie is an enjoyable watch and quite entertaining…a good afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a machine that is developed to wipe out all Earth’s mutants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Bruce Davison, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not as good as the first movie in the series, but it still earns a recommendation as watchable and entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men—great concept—entertains and has great casting: Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Ian McKellan, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, and Ray Park (Darth Maul character in Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace and Toad in the X-Men).  Watch for Hugh Jackman in his first role as Wolverine. The movie is not the high quality one would expect, but it is suitable and particularly serves the superhero fan.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when it becomes increasingly apparent that not all humans are the same…some are mutants with superhuman abilities…the government intervenes…mutants divide in opinion of how to integrate with humans so they can occupy the same environmental space safely. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Bryan Singer for directing efforts. Thank you to Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Rebecca Romin, Ray Park, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the first live-action X-Men film. It is watchable and will suit superhero fans well.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers