Taped

Imagine watching an entire movie while muting the sound. Or watching a gorgeous color 3-D movie in black-and-white. That was the experience of watching "Taped." Although subtitling was enabled, all that was translated were the few English phrases. The rest came out as "speaking foreign language." I could see Barry Atsma was acting his heart out but it was lost on me as there was no context provided. If you're still Determined to watch it, do yourself a favor and fast forward, watch the murder, chase, capture and the finale. Without translation, the rest is a waste of time for the English part of the world.

Taped is a Dutch thriller that will appeal to an international audience.The fact that Hollywood will remake this movie is proof of that.And I must say that Taped managed to hook me in to an extent.Even when it does require to overlook some flaws in logic and plot.Especially the behavior of Saar (Susan Visser) was downright annoying sometimes.She managed to bring more trouble on themselves.Not that the husband (Barry Atsma) was cool headed all the time but at least he tried to keep it together for the both of them.In the introduction it is explained why they are there and why they are filming it.We get to see the dynamics between them and it becomes apparent their marriage is in trouble.While understandable it wasn't exactly exiting or interesting to watch.It becomes too much for them and they decide to go home at once.Here is the first flaw that doesn't make sense.It was already late and dark.Would it not have been prudent to at least rest on it and go in the morning. So they are calm enough to travel together but not enough to wait and go at a more convenient time.I know anger but even I would not give in to that impulse.Of course from this moment on everything goes wrong for them.The minute the couple get into trouble the tension never lets up until the ending.The predicament they are in is something everyone can relate to.Which is what makes the flaws so tolerable.Then there are some scenes where the main characters one minute take action and the next remain passive and not follow through.These are moments where you ask yourself how you would act or respond if you were in the same situation.Which is an interesting issue that should be discussed during or preferably after having watched the film.Close to the end there was one scene which is very powerful and to me one I totally could see happening in real life.It's a scene where the wife is hysterical and husband Johan tries to calm her down.His solution is an effective one and shows that both characters care for each other very much.Giving the movie the emotional content for one extra thrilling sequence.Taped is one I can recommend.

I saw this movie in the film theater on the big screen.

The movie started out as a normal movie, there was a story line and I wanted to get involved, normally I enjoy watching dutch movies, unfortunately when the action sequences started the moving camera really distracted very much from the story. It seems very common nowadays to use hand-held camera in movies but this movie in my opinion is an example of bad taste and disrespect to the viewers.

Throughout the entire movie I physically felt sick. El Secreto de Sus Ojos (2009) is also a movie in which there are some fast action sequences in a football stadium, but Taped was a movie with almost uninterrupted moving camera footage. Not to be recommended.

I don't know why we have to have so much movies filmed with handycams nowadays but I find it rather annoying. Most of the time it kills the story completely to me. With this one the story stays intact but I still think it would have been much better without the filming with a handycam. But as the storyline concerns it is a good movie. Everybody knows that in South American countries it can be very dangerous as tourists and even the police is not to be trusted. And this is what the movie is about. Very nice played by Barry Atsma and Susan Visser. Fast action thriller that gets you as soon as the actual action starts. I wasn't bored for a second. I just wished they would have filmed it with a normal steady camera though.

I see some are not too enthusiastic about the first 20 minutes, but if it wasn't for this first 20 minutes the movie wouldn't be as good as it was. Very good acting in the beginning part which ties you emotionally to both characters and pulls you right into the tension. Realistic adventure and no Hollywood stuff, so could happen to you as well. Love the scenic of 'downtown' Buenos Aires that was used. The scenery of the quite streets at night with the lamp poles makes it feel very far from home, at least when you watch it as a dutch viewer. This gives you really the idea that you could see yourself in this situation. Also love the fact that it only both of them that make-up the movie, all other characters are secondary. Usually seen in better small productions. Compliments and thanks for making this movie! Really enjoyed it!