Years ago, committed DEA agent John Lawlor fell in love with Joey Kwang, a Taipei-based transport driver working in the criminal underworld, but was forced to flee due to tragic circumstances. Now, the duo reunites when Lawlor blows his cover as a chef and takes an off-the-books weekend mission to Taipei to bring down a billionaire drug kingpin... who just so happens to be Joey's new husband.
When you hear "Weekend in Taipei," you might think of a romantic getaway filled with picturesque skylines, bubble tea galore, and dumplings so good they’ll make you question every life choice that hasn’t involved pork belly. Instead, we get DEA agents, billionaire drug kingpins, and car chases. Who ordered the spy thriller dumpling with an extra side of "this sounds vaguely familiar"? Luc Besson, apparently. That’s right, Monsieur "I Invented Action Movies in the '90s" himself wrote this one. Let’s break it down.
First, let’s talk about our cast. Luke Evans as John Lawlor is brooding, rugged, and manages to give "I’ve been through some things" vibes that would make Jason Bourne proud. His chemistry with Sung Kang (Joey Kwang) feels like it’s been simmering since the Fast and Furious days. Their shared moments blend action, tension, and just a smidge of melodrama—because what’s an international thriller without a dash of "we can never be together"?
Then we have Wyatt Yang, who plays the billionaire drug kingpin-slash-current husband of Joey. He’s equal parts charming and despicable, like if Elon Musk and a Bond villain had a love child, but with better cheekbones. Wyatt brings an "I’m too rich to care" energy to the role, which makes you simultaneously despise and admire him.
Plot: Wait, Where’s the Rest of It?
Let’s address the elephant in the script: the plot. Weekend in Taipei feels like Luc Besson took a Fast and Furious car chase, added a sprinkle of Taken, and then just stopped writing halfway through because he got distracted by TikTok. DEA agent John Lawlor reunites with his old flame Joey Kwang while trying to take down her billionaire hubby, and what follows is a mishmash of explosions, shaky alliances, and car chases. Lots of car chases. Like, Fast and Furious levels of car chases.
It’s not that the story is bad—it’s just not trying very hard. Think of it like fast food: you know it’s not nutritious, but the fries are crispy, so you don’t complain.
What Worked
Let’s be honest: we’re not here for the nuanced storytelling. We’re here for action, and Weekend in Taipei delivers. The car chases are top-notch. Whether it’s weaving through Taipei’s bustling night markets or speeding across the city’s glittering highways, the adrenaline is real.
And if you’re a fan of the Fast and Furious franchise, you’ll spot some familiar faces and even more familiar vehicular stunts. I’m convinced Luc Besson has a secret "cars doing impossible things" checklist he updates every year.
What Didn’t Work
As much as I love a good henchman showdown, the bad guys in Weekend in Taipei are laughably useless. They might as well have been holding up signs that say, "Please punch me." I wanted more gritty, one-on-one fight scenes—something visceral, like what John Wick does to your soul every time a dog gets mentioned. Instead, we get generic cannon fodder.
The Verdict
Weekend in Taipei is like that one friend who shows up to the party with great snacks but questionable conversation skills. You’re glad they’re there, but you’re not about to write home about it. The action is the star of the show, and while the story might be thinner than a spring roll wrapper, it’s still a fun ride.
Final Ranking: 6.8/10
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