BLU-RAY REVIEW

Taken 3

Featured In Issue 197, June 2015

Picture4.5
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2299787
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13 / Unrated
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$$39.99
(Disc Type):
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
105
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Olivier Megaton
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(Story):
(Music):
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(Production Designer):
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(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
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(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
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(Disc Soundtrack):
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
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In Taken 3, the hunter becomes the hunted when Liam Neeson returns as former CIA operative Bryan Mills, who finds himself framed for the brutal murder of his ex-wife (Janssen). Consumed with rage and pursued by a savvy police inspector (Whitaker), Mills must rely on his “particular set of skills” one last time to find the real killers, clear his name, and protect the only thing that matters to him now—his daughter (Grace). (Gary Reber)

Both the rated version and the unrated version are available. Special features include a deleted scene (HD 07:16); three featurettes: Sam’s Bunker A.K.A. The Rabbit Hole (HD 03:01), Taken To L.A. (HD 04:16), and A Taken Legacy (HD 04:54); a gallery; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture is cinematic throughout, as it was filmed in the Hawke Anamorphic process. The imagery exhibits a slight gritty appearance and dark characteristic, while displaying a natural picture. Contrast is good with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Fleshtones are strongly hued but healthy. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is a warmly treated picture that is sure to please fans of the franchise. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with a driving, almost constant orchestral music score that spans a wide and deep soundstage and extends aggressively into the surrounds, Atmospherics and sound effects are dynamic but surprisingly subdued for the action content. There are all forms of gunfire, car wreckage, and explosions with enhanced impact provided by the .1 LFE channel. Dialogue drives the story and remains intelligible, with good spatial integration. This is an intense soundtrack with a sense of building energy that will thrill fans. (Gary Reber)