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Thanks to the Taken movies, everyone now knows not to mess with Liam Neeson’s family—because there will be serious (and most likely fatal) consequences. But he’s not alone. And with Peppermint, Jennifer Garner steps up to prove that she’s also a parental force to be reckoned with.
Peppermint follows the story of mild-mannered Riley North (Garner), a suburban mom who works hard to care for her family. But her world comes crashing down around her when her husband has a moment of weakness that leads to the murders of both him and their daughter in a drive-by shooting. Though Riley is able to identify the shooters, they quickly go free. After the trial, Riley disappears—and, five years later, she returns to Los Angeles and comes after the men who took away her family.
This tough-mama thriller follows the same idea behind Neeson’s wildly popular Taken movies: when a devoted parent’s family is put in danger, that parent will stop at nothing to stand up for those he or she loves. And just as director Pierre Morel made it work for Neeson, he makes it work for Garner, too. This isn’t another tear-jerking drama about a mom who’s fighting the legal system to get justice for her family—and Riley isn’t just an especially vocal soccer mom (you know the type). Though it has its emotional moments, it’s a dark and violent thriller about a mother who’s given up on the legal system and has decided to take matters into her own hands.
Of course, there aren’t a lot of surprises here. From the beginning, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how the story will play out. But that doesn’t really make it any less entertaining. And it offers more than just a bunch of monotonous action, too. Riley’s revenge is brutal and bloody—and sometimes shockingly, outrageously extreme. And as she takes out gang members and their corrupt associates, occasionally pausing in her killing spree to take on unfit dads and cruel suburban moms, you just can’t help but cheer her on.
Really, though, it’s no surprise that Garner makes a truly likable action star. Her recent string of mom roles mixed with her history on TV’s Alias gives her just the right blend of heart and grit. She works as a sweet suburban mom, but she also works as a vigilante with a soft spot for kids. And that makes her an action star that you’ll be happy to follow on her rampage through LA.
If you love the Taken movies, you’ll enjoy this ruthless mom’s version, too. It may not be smart and surprising, but it’s definitely action-packed and entertaining.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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