Taped

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 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!

As usual, I was watching this movie at night in bed, waiting to fall asleep. Bad move. Not that there were any scary/horror parts, I simply got caught up in the story so much, I was too pumped-up to sleep.

The entire story encompasses two Dutch tourists in Argentinia. Some parts of the movie are shot with their hand-held cam; the remaining scenes - amongst other things, by necessity - are shot from 'normal' movie cameras; for instance when they get arrested and questioned. It works together nicely.

We start out on a regular vacation, with a couple arguing about their personal life. It may drag on a bit and feels a bit like a filler, but because of this we get a 'personal connection' with the main protagonists, which we wouldn't have had if the movie started out with the real plot immediately.

This 'personal connection', together with the realism created by taping part of the movie with a hand-held, gets even more real with a plot that I could see happening in real life, which is: they accidentally tape a dirty cop committing a murder, and get chased by him and his partners.

You can really feel the pressure and the feeling of helplessness - foreign speaking tourists being chased and having nowhere to turn to, be it cops, airports or hospitals - throughout the movie.

My only issue is the out-of-place and pointless rehashing of some personal issues near the end - if it was to underline the psychological distress, it was redundant - and the nice but 'deus ex machina' ending where some technology is conveniently accessible and compatible. I can't tell any more in order not to spoil the ending, but you'll understand what I mean after the movie.

In all, a recommended reality thriller.

I was very impressed by Taped. It was fast paced and kept me interested the whole time. It had some plot flaws here and there but they were minor and easy to forgive. Also the drama part (the beginning) was not that great (seemed a bit like the typical Dutch schooled overacted drama stuff).

I absolutely loved Barry Atsma's acting in the action scenes (which is 90% of the movie). Very powerful and convincing! Likable but tough. He must do more action/thriller movies! They should cast him for the Hollywood remake, that would be awesome.

Susan Visser's performance was OK I guess. Her character was a bit annoying at times but I guess that's not necessary a bad thing as some people just are like that :). It was refreshing to see her do action stuff like this but I do think her talent lays more with the desperate housewife kinda characters (which she is most known for in Holland) because she can show of her subtle comedy talent.

Fortunately the movie is not a found footage movie. DV cam footage shot by our main protagonists is playing a big part of the movie, but it is still a proper movie/thriller. Add it to the "situations you don't want to find yourself in". Still and while you might occasionally shake your head at the characters decisions, this is pretty solid thriller material to watch.

The actors are doing a decent enough job to keep you nervous and anxious throughout. Some might have issues with the "action" scenes and the camera shots involving them, but that's just a style option. While the end might seem a bit ... strange and sort of sudden and kind of "duh", you will be entertained until then.