Taken

imdb Photos

Plot: Kim Mills (Maggie Grace) gets kidnapped in Paris, drugged and forced into prostitution. Her father, Byran Mills (Liam Neeson) quickly jumps on a jet to track down the crooks. Bryan is a retired US government agent and general tough guy. He tears through Paris leaving a trail of bodies as he the plot leads from the kidnapper, to the white-slavery auctioneer, to the police and then to Kim's new harem master. 

Review: Once Kim is kidnapped, the movie shifts into high gear, and its all karate chops, chases and shooting. The action is comic-book style with Liam able to beat up a roomful of gangsters. The body count is high, but it is bloodless. Taken is reminiscent of a Daniel Craig Bond movie because there is spy action without electronic gimmicks. 

Liam Neeson gives a good nuanced performance with good facial acting, on the other hand, the Byran Mills character is almost a super-hero, so he is hard to portray realistically. 

This is a thriller, and the action is not completely believable. Of course, if you want a realistic movie, you should go see "Earth" instead. The two kidnap victims acted more like thirteen year olds than seventeen year old with their giggling, skipping and running, and physical enthusiasm, --- this was probably director Morel's intention, to make them seem helpless. 

Cast and crew:
Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace;  directed by Pierre Morel

Rating: 2.5 flasks


More:
Fast paced action that provides an amusing evening diversion