| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Weekend in Taipei |
| Director | George Huang |
| Writer(s) | George Huang & Luc Besson |
| Lead Cast | Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei, Sung Kang |
| Genre | Action / Thriller |
| Runtime | ≈ 100–101 minutes |
| Language | English (with some interspersed local language dialogues) |
| Setting | Taipei, Taiwan |
Story & Premise
The story centers on John Lawlor (Luke Evans), a DEA agent whose undercover work in Minneapolis goes sideways. When he receives a tip related to a powerful figure named Kwang—who appears to run a seafood business as a front for drug operations—John follows the lead to Taipei.
In Taipei, he reconnects with Joey (Gwei Lun-mei), a skilled mercenary driver who is also raising a son, Raymond. Joey is married to Kwang, but their relationship is strained. The plot weaves action, romance, and family drama: John must investigate criminal operations, protect Raymond, and come to grips with his past relationship with Joey, all while trying to bring down Kwang’s illicit empire.
The film also uses flashbacks to reveal what happened fifteen years ago between John and Joey—these help to explain their current tensions and personal stakes. There are car chases, shootouts, betrayals, and emotional confrontations, as the narrative attempts to balance thrills with personal conflict.
What Works
-
Action & Set Pieces
The film delivers on action: plenty of car chases, shoot-outs, and tension in physical confrontations. The set-pieces are stylish, sometimes cinematic in scale, and often well-choreographed—these are the enjoyable moments that keep the film moving. -
Scenic & Local Flavor
Taipei itself is well-utilized. The urban landscapes, neon lights, cityscapes, street races, and local flavor give the film character. It helps that the setting feels alive rather than just being a backdrop. -
Cast Chemistry
Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei, and Sung Kang all bring reasonable presence. The dynamic between John and Joey has emotional friction, which gives moments of tension beyond just action. Meanwhile, Sung Kang makes for a compelling antagonist whose menace is felt in part because of his screen presence. -
Tone: Light Enough
The film knows it isn’t doing high-philosophy; it leans into being a fun action thriller. There’s enough entertainment, some humor, and action to make it feel like a popcorn-flick rather than a serious drama. For viewers in the mood for something less heavy, that works in its favor.
What Doesn’t Work
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Thin Screenplay & Character Depth
Characters beyond the leads are not very well developed. Motivations—especially for Joey, John, and even Raymond—sometimes feel cliché or insufficiently explored. Flashbacks help, but often the background feels like exposition without enough emotional weight. -
Dialogue & Tone Missteps
Some lines are unintentionally funny or awkward. When serious stakes are introduced, the dialogue occasionally undercuts that seriousness. The mix of romance, action, and melodrama sometimes doesn’t mesh smoothly, leading to tonal jolts. -
Predictability
Once a few plot points are established, it becomes reasonably easy to guess subsequent developments. For example, betrayals, heroic moments, and reunions follow familiar beats. The film doesn’t take many risks in terms of narrative twists. -
Underused Potential
Some story threads (e.g. Joey’s relationship with her son, personal sacrifices, or deeper conflicts with Kwang beyond the immediate) are hinted at but not fully realized. These could have added emotional heft but remain somewhat surface-level.
Overall Impression
Weekend in Taipei is far from perfect, but it does enough to be entertaining if viewed with the right expectations. It’s not a deep character study, nor is it trying to be. Instead, it’s a sleek, glossy action thriller with romance and family undercurrents. If you like your movies with spectacle, car chases, moral ambiguity, and tension without needing every plot beat to surprise or every character to be richly drawn, this will deliver.
For action lovers craving a “light-but-crisp” film in a foreign setting, Weekend in Taipei delivers more good than bad. But for those looking for more originality, emotional resonance, or risk in storytelling, it may feel somewhat standard.
Final Verdict
Weekend in Taipei is a serviceable action-thriller: fun, stylish, and often energetic, though not especially memorable. It works better as a casual watch than for someone seeking depth or powerful storytelling.
Rating: 2.5 / 5