THE STORY – John Lawlor, a former DEA agent, reunites with Josephine ‘Joey’ Kwang, a skilled former informant and transport driver for the Asian underworld, during a return visit to Taipei. As they rekindle their romance, they face the dangerous repercussions of their shared past and unresolved loyalties.
THE CAST – Luke Evans, Sung Kang, Lun-Mei Gwei, Wyatt Yang, Pernell Walker, Patrick Pei-hsu Lee & Zach Ireland
THE TEAM – George Huang (Director/Writer) & Luc Besson (Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 100 minutes
In the latest action thriller, “Weekend in Taipei,” we’re introduced to the electric streets of Taiwan’s capital, where romance and revenge collide in a flurry of fast cars, gunfire, and daring stunts. The film follows former DEA agent John Lawlor (Luke Evans) as he returns to Taipei, revisiting old flames and reigniting dangerous rivalries. His reunion with Joey Kwang (Lun-mei), now the wife of mob boss Kwang (Sung Kang), sets off a chain of events that exposes buried secrets and sparks a relentless weekend of action.
Directed by George Huang and produced by Luc Besson’s EUROPACORP, “Weekend in Taipei“ blends action-comedy with romantic thriller elements. While Huang’s return to directing may seem surprising after his hiatus, he proves more than capable of delivering thrilling set pieces and some genuinely funny moments, including a memorable fight scene set in a movie theatre. In his most significant leading role since “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women,“ Evans proves that he can headline an action film with his solid, if not exactly groundbreaking, performance. For his part, Kang is a formidable foil to Evans’ John and is clearly having fun playing a pure evil character – so much so that you can’t wait for him to get what’s coming.
Despite its over-the-top action sequences, “Weekend in Taipei“ leans on a predictable storyline filled with familiar beats. Flashbacks, marked by characters wearing longer hair and dialogue leaping into cliché territory, make certain reveals immensely predictable. There’s also the questionable continual use of English, even when Taiwanese natives are talking to one another, with only a handful of dialogue subtitled. However, well-executed stunts and an energetic soundtrack, including a striking instrumental version of “Paint It Black,“ keep the pace lively. Lun-mei shines as Joey and Raymond delivers a scene-stealing performance that adds depth to the ensemble. The film even sprinkles in humor, most notably from Wyatt Yang as Joey’s wisecracking son.
While the film’s action is entertaining and features some neat car chases and slow-motion sequences, it suffers from pacing issues and some overly drawn-out scenes – despite only being 100 minutes long. Yet, it’s hard not to care for the characters, as they make a big impression. For example, John saves a fish after a high-octane fight in a restaurant, and in her first scene, Joey looks effortlessly chic and then convinces a car salesman to let her drive a new Ferrari.
If you’re a fan of the genre, “Weekend in Taipei“ offers a fun ride. It has explosive stunts, an ample amount of blood and gore, a bit of romance, and enough adrenaline to make for an enjoyable, if flawed, viewing experience. Despite its predictable elements—undercover agents, people sneaking around, and secrets between lovers—it remains a decent watch.
