Southern Belle 1:

The premise here is: Clueless, superficial, snobbish mother (Famke Janssen) lets her 17-year-old extremely immature daughter, (Maggie Grace, who acts more like a 13-year-old), go on a trip to Paris with no adult supervision. As a result of a scam at the airport, the girl is kidnapped by a group of Albanians who specialize in white slavery and prostitution. Liam Neeson, the girl's father, is a former CIA/spy/operative - in other words, the man knows how to handle himself in a skirmish. He flies to Paris and proceeds to track down the bad guys. In doing so, he probably kills, disfigures or wounds half the Albanians in Paris before he gets his daughter back! Neeson does a great acting job with lots of incredible out-of-this-world action and over-the-top fighting and violence. After the first 25 minutes, the action is pretty much non-stop, including daring car chases, torture, dramatic shoot-outs, and hand-to-hand combat. Dark and menacing, this is a good crime thriller - and I was excited to see "Fouquet's", a famous restaurant on the Avenue des Champs Elysees, a favorite stopping-off point for us during our visit to Paris in 2005. This film (and restaurant) are recommended. 07-19-09

AfroPixFlix:

***Pierre Morel has taken pains to develop a sympathetic character in Bryan (Liam Neeson), a retired and only marginally reformed Special Forces enforcer who tries a new role as a reformed dad. But it is too late for him to make up for his absenteeism as a dad and husband?or so it seems. The dormant skills he gained in years of being brutal to bad guys for the sake of good guys with good causes come in handy. These skills are called upon when his dippy daughter inadvertently gets tripped up in a case of Girls Gone Wild in the Extreme International Version. This is a good film that builds a semblance of a pretty good plot around the sounds of breaking bones, severed joints, and screeching wheels followed by metal to metal impact. I guess it is a modern version of Steve McQueen or Gene Hackman chase scene movies from another era, so TAKEN can find appeal just about in any home where thrillers are welcome.

Chuckie13:

This movie is enjoyable, as long as you go into to expecting an action type movie. You cant go into it expecting a riveting story. There is plenty to pick apart as far as the story and how it unfolds; however, the action and Liam Neeson's performance saves the movie. There was one thing though that took me out of the movie... the actress that plays his daughter does not know how to run. I wonder if the scenes that required her to run were filmed towars the end of shooting and it was too late for the director to make the switch. I mention this because if you notice it as you watch the movie, it will make you laugh. If you dont expect it, and then notice it, it can be irritating, as happened to me. Having said that, there is plenty in this movie that gives it entertainment value and worth a rental. I have read that the unrated version is much better (more violent) than the theatrical version, looking forward to that.

Walt D in LV:

I absolutely LOVED this movie! It's not often a movie comes along and blows me away like this did. All the things I love: Hi-tech gadgets, sneaky spy stuff, big-time action (both gunfights and hand-to-hand combat), scantily clad women, and all within a fantastic storyline that even tugs on the heart strings. This is a popcorn action flick, and it is exciting! Sit back and enjoy the ride! 9/4/09

frgodbeyjr:

I loved him in Darkman and I love Liam Neeson in Taken. Saw it last night in Boston and the movie was so well made. The action scenes from the car chases (many), shoot outs, and the hand to hand battles were great. Liam Neeson is a retired government agent who is trying to reconnect with his daughter. The daughter and a girl friend of her's go for a trip to Paris (even though her father, Neeson, has a problem with two teenage girls alone in Paris) to follow U2 on their Euro tour. They meet a French kid at the Paris airport and share a taxi ride with him. Then they are "Taken." The movie is a whirlwind as Neeson uses all his contacts to try and find his daughter and her friend before it is too late. Action, action, and more action move this movie to the edge of your seat category. A must see that is so well worth a watch! 5 stars. 1/31/09

moviemeh:

Imagine 24 without the complicated characters, clever bad guys, or intricate plots. There wouldn't be any point in watching it, right? The movie Taken has these flaws and one more: suspense is undermined throughout by dialogue that tries too hard to sound clever. The bad guys may as well be little arcade targets, and it is pretty much just a one man show. I thought Ransom (a movie was a similar thought) had its share of flaws, but at least in that movie the villain tried to mess with the parents' head. My quest for the perfect parental revenge-and-rescue movie continues.

simplygreg:

Who's the bad private dad that rescues all the chicks? Liam Neeson. That's what I'm talkin' about. He's a bad mother f'er. As mindless as you could imagine but surprisingly taut and fun.

Mr.Toad:

I realize that this film is supposed to be just an entertaining action flick with no pretensions or grip on reality, but please? There should have been enough realism to make this dog hang together, and not insult the audience's intelligence. So bad, it prompted me to write my first review. First off, seventeen year-old girls don't follow U2 around Europe - maybe their parents might! The writers are out-of-touch. The daughter character is so annoying I was hoping something awful, and preferably painful, would happen to her within a few minutes of the character's introduction. The whole idea that Paris is the underbelly of sleaze is absurd, and Neeson's character behaved like a sheltered hayseed in contradiction to his supposed worldly experience. The body count is extraordinarily high, yet the resolution is so pat it's ridiculous - no trials, no fuss, leave France and everyone lives happily ever after. I usually like Liam Neeson, but I guess this was just a pay day for him, which I don't begrudge. But I'm disheartened that dreck like this would have actually become quite popular.

Skorpean:

This one is really good for action fans and almost perfect if you like your action without much gore (high body count but quick edits to the next scene). Not much time spent on character development, but the father's love for his daughter and wanting her to be safe is something any parent can connect with. Heavy on the action, if you like Jack Bauer, you will like this movie. 5/09

jcranma:

A gritty, tense, and fast paced actioner. "Taken" is such a treat for action fans who are looking for something meaty to catch on the big screen. NOTE that the theatrical version is a 2 minute less/ toned down version of the international version which I saw. Think of this as what would happen when a less invincible Jason Bourne character's daughter gets abducted, and that character must torch the whole joint down. This one delivers entertainment at breakneck speed once it gets rolling. Neeson delivers a surprising (kind of like Jean Reno's surprising comedy/actioner, "Wasabi") turn as man who must wreck havoc to save his daughter. This one purposely strips nuance in favor of straightforward execution (no pun intended). It's rather neat that the "Bourne" franchise is having a positive effect on the action films that are coming out. (02/15/09)

MIJ:

God bless America. This is an incredibly problematic movie. And I enjoyed watching it. It's Bourne with much less plot. What's not to like?

KF 736015:

What every thriller made in the last 10 years should have been. Non-stop awesome.

tcz 17672:

Score: 3.5/5 The film is escapist entertainment. It doesn?t try to be anything more than a straight-up revenge film and that is at the same time its strength and failing. By embracing its action roots, it gives the audience many intense scenes. But by also doing it without giving a memorable protagonist or even a compelling villain character (no character is truly interesting in the film), Taken misses many emotional points that could have elevated it to classic status. It?s a fun film and, unfortunately, nothing more.

Max Hops:

I am not big on pure action flicks but this one was very good without going too much over the top as some action films do.

Firewater:

Sure, in reality Liam Neeson's character would have been killed a few dozen times in TAKEN. Fortunate for me that I don't require too much reality in escapist entertainment. Plus, I love revenge stories, which is what this movie is at heart. Neeson brings emotional weight to a role that is essentially a cardboard character in a very shallow movie. You have to ask yourself if he had convinced himself that this was more drama than action. What this was is another Bourne movie, with a different lead bouncing around Paris and killing a bunch of dudes to find his daughter. What's not to like? Nothing really new or different in this one, but I still liked it a lot. [05-13-09]

Nick :

This movie should have been titled "Justice...Liam Neeson Style". This movie is kind of a guilty pleasure. I think Roger Ebert says it best (paraphrase) ".... high quality trash." Not a bad thing, btw. Of course Liam brought alot to the character. This movie was like "The Bodyguard" (Kevin Costner / Whitney Houston), but with the style of the Bourne Identity.

ae952c682b:

Taken is a wonderful film. It is one of the few films that has transcends what it should be and becomes something great. Maggie Grace is a wonderful underrated actress, and Liam Neeson is wonderful as a father out to save his daughter. The true star of the film is the excellent editing from Frédéric Thoraval This is a must see movie.

JV 1424920:

I think this movie is "best in class" for the action-thriller genre. All the action is done well (like Bond's Casino Royal, but at a faster pace). Plus, this film is highly elevated by the genuine heroism of the protagonist/father. He is expert at what he does and seeks his goal without apology or sappy self-doubt (i.e., no wining like '24's Jack Bauer). Also, he ruthlessly kills the villains like they definitely deserve (not simply 'knocked out' or 'brought to justice'--common in today's PC Hollywood movies). He's a man you proudly want defending civilization from the thugs and savages of the world.

tntbaker1:

Really good movie. Great story and good acting. Maggie Grace pulls off acting younger than she really is. Liam Neeson's part is so well done it is hard to imagine why he does not get more roles like this. I see this movie as a potential purchase (I liked it that much). Between this and other movies (i.e Hostel, etc.) I have no real interest in traveling abroad.

Supercords:

Luc Besson helped write this tight thriller, and direction duties went to relative newcomer Pierre Morel, who helmed the exciting French action movie ?District B13?. If you?re looking for a wild ride, go rent that. But in the meantime, you should check out Taken in the theater. It?s perfectly paced, nicely set up, well acted, and keeps your heart in a state of perpetual attack. Very satisfying to say the least. Rating: B+

LG 279501:

This movie is rubbish. Story is short and bland. Acting is embarrassing and the action was nothing but short cuts. The throbbing obnoxious music did not fit the movie and ended up getting in the way. Some people say they thought it was good, I say they have lost their mind, this movie sucks!

Big Erv:

Let's review a few acting highlights of Liam Neeson. Saved the Jews. Trained Obi-wan Kenobi. Trained Batman. Now let's pretend that Liam really did all that. Oh, and then you kidnap his daughter for kicks. I present: Taken.

Jeremy Thomas:

Resting on the broad and capable shoulders of Liam Neeson, Taken moves along like a lightning rod toward the inevitable ending. Director Pierre Morel creates a film that screenwriter Luc Besson would be proud of, taking a simple and fairly minimal plot and creating something amazing. The action is framed quite well and the look is impressive without having to resort to tricks and CGI, and in the end, this film takes the lead as one of the first great films of 2009.

SuperShortReview:

Even though the plot is a little thin (what, no main villain to match up against?), and the first twenty minutes chug slowly through that desolate land called 'Unnecesary Exposition', once this thriller takes off, it gets very good indeed, with Neeson tearing like a runaway locomotive through the world of human trafficking, kicking Eurotrash tail and alienating foes and friends alike in his singular quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter.

PS333:

Awesome, I loved this one. Simple premise, badass Dad goes off to rescue his daughter from bad guys. Body count climbs quickly as we cheer. This is raised up a bit from the usual revenge fantasy by the nice development they give to the characters in the start of the film. They annoyed me a bit, but they felt more genuine than I expected them to be in fare like this.

BlueVoid:

A popcorn movie if there ever was one. Taken is pretty much one giant action scene with a paper thin plot sprinkled in. Liam Neeson is this film. His performance as a retired spy is off the chart in intensity. Every line he speaks and each blow he delivers is meaningful and intimidating. Beyond Neeson beating up everything in sight there is little to the movie. The general premise has been done many times before, but what Neeson brings to the film is where it draws you and is the appeal here. If you think about the plot for more than minute you will laugh. The trick is to not think to hard and just enjoy the ride, and what a fun ride it is.

SamirR:

A movie that really does not pretend to be anything that it is not -- a straight action movie. Taken borrows the kinetic approach from the Bourne movies and adds a slim plot. Once the action starts, there is really no time to stop and think about all the plot flaws. Liam Neeson is a great actor and it shows -- typically when great actors make movies like this, they look dis-interested but not Neeson -- he makes you want to take this film seriously...even if the plot does not. Worth the watch, but will be forgotten once the movie ends...

Trebs_McFury:

This movie = Commando had Arnold been made out of a cardboard and Alisa Milano had been not worth saving. Otherwise, it's more or less the same movie, albeit more with a Bourne Identity flavor over a Conan flavor.

JDoors:

Criminals nab two girls, not knowing that one is the daughter of a guy you DO NOT want to mess with, someone who has a very specific set of skills that makes him their worst nightmare: Mayhem ensues. Pretty much delivers on the promise of the previews; a gripping tale of abduction and revenge, set in the unsettling world of sex-trafficking. Some plot and direction elements do NOT work however, occasionally taking you out of the story. To spell them out would give away too much of the plot, but suffice to say; you'll wonder why some things had to happen the way they do, and why some things happen AT ALL, they're just not believable. Liam Neeson's pretty darned scary as he fulfills the promises he made to his daughter's abductors, so in the end the movie winds up being a thrill to watch.

jsu 1430297:

This was an alright film. I have to admit I was ready to give up on it at points, but the last 20 - 30 minutes make the film. It really tries to make you establish a bond with the characters in a short time frame. It is worth a watch, but nothing you will remember.

Frank W:

Sure, it's unapologetically dumb and is riddled with more implausibilities than any of Van Damme's best, but the film is an unquestionably exciting white-knuckle ride that'll have your heart pumping and your thrill-o-meter pegged to the max.

batman1784:

Great movie. Tons of action and great plot. This is about a guy who is a spy for the United States that retired to spend more time with his daughter. When his daughter takes a trip to Paris she is kidnapped. Her father finds this out and does anythig he can to get her back. Great action movie, on the edge of your seat. Must see!!!!

inkogneeto:

A perfectly serviceable thriller. The entire movie is tense, but it also glosses over many details to keep up the pacing. Well worth a rent. My favorite other review was someone who described this as an old man's Bourne movie. Heh.

eighty8_keys:

The Bottom Line: This film is simple the fantasy that runs through every father's head when he even briefly considers what he would do if someone was to take his daughter. Liam Neeson is not only believable in as a rather unbelievable character, but he fits quite easily into the role of a action hero of the caliber we would expect from James Bond.

CR 731557:

I see all these five-star reviews, "best movie I've seen this year" comments, and I have to wonder?is Liam Neeson a member? And does he have a lot of time on his hands? I'll admit, "Taken" is not awful, but it's miserably cast and stretches the viewer's credulity over and over until, after a half hour or so, your only desire is that the daughter be kidnapped so that we can get this over with. And this saving the daughter thing?did the director or the writer or anyone associated with this ever see John McClain "save the family member" in the "Die Hard" series? I'm not going to discuss the relative merits of Neeson and Willis as actors?I like them both, but one of them could have handled this a lot better.

javeryt:

Not a great movie, but a pretty entertaining one. Liam Neeson is pretty awesome, and has a few great lines. The fight scenes are well done, and easy to follow (no shaky cam). The chases scenes felt like a car commercial though....an Audi car commercial to be specific. And not the cool way like Ronin was. Still, def. worth a rental.

BunnyKing:

One must admit that Taken is not your greatest example of an airtight plot but something inside of you doesn't care. Of course there are many opportunities for the viewer to question the validity of Neeson's actions, or his uncanny ability to track people down and neutralize them. However, I believe this film is simply pleasing enough that one forgives the writers and allows for a little fudging. This could have been as detail-oriented as, say, Munich, but even that film had to take certain liberties. Here, we're not too concerned HOW Neeson's character finds the bad guys so much as we care WHEN he finds the bad guys. We're not concerned HOW he beats these people to a pulp so much as we're glad he DOES beat them to a pulp. It may sound a touch strange but this is one of those feel good films where you cheer at the end. Is it worth watching? Most definitely!

AtTheBeach:

"Taken" is a movie that is entertaining and enjoyable to watch. It is also hard to take it very seriously. Liam Neeson does an excellent job in the starring role. He is a retired "preventer" where he worked for the federal government to prevent problems in hot spots around the world. So far, so good. His daughter gets kidnapped and he takes off for France to save her. Along the way, he kills numerous bad guys, including a high ranking official in the French security apparatus, assaults a former friend and French official, shoots the wife of the official, destroys significant property in Paris with loud explosions and car chases complete with guns blazing and, at the end, comes back to Los Angeles and resumes a peaceful life as a federal retiree. The action is engrossing. The bad guys are easy to hate and the audience wants the hero to rescue his daughter. But, while posing as a French official with a stolen French identification, he gets into a secure area speaking no French and, after killing an untold number of men, including an arab sheik, he flies back to the United States with the everlasting gratitude of his daughter and former wife. In short, much of the movie is completely unbelievable. The script is engrossing but the obvious fantasy detracts from the overall quality of the movie. A good action movie and it satisfying to watch a movie hero blow away the bad guys but the unbelievable nature of the circumstances wears thin.

WideStance:

I had trouble with this schlockfest right from the get go. See, I never bought that the two girls would be heading to Europe to follow U2 from show to show on their European tour because U2's about as "with it" as Chuck Mangione or Men At Work to today's 17 year olds. But when the doe-eyed dum-dums do get to Paris, they bop around the airport like a couple of socially-stunted 10 year-olds who might as well be wearing "abduct me" signs on their backs. And fronts. It's ridiculous. Then ex-CIA one-man war machine Liam Neesen arrives in Paris spitting out awful one-liners and hunting down Albanian sex slave traders (as well as uncooperative frenchies) like he's Charles Bronson hopped up on performance enhancers! Seriously, the body count must hit 40 or 50 before this thing's through. The makeshift methadone i.v. drip and the auction of the slave girls scenes are laugh out loud goofy and the big, final scenes pitting Neeson against a gel-haired, mascara-wearing guy with a bad 5:00 shadow and the Jabba the Hut lookalike sheikh are severely underwhelming. As revenge exploitation movies go, both that Jodie Foster movie and Death Sentence from a few years ago, were a lot better done than this. Don't get taken by Taken--it's a waste of time!

lutzjw:

Horrid, xenophobic crap. Stupid plot, silly characters, dull action. This is the worst movie I've seen in quite a while.

RF 1147934:

I believe that this movie is already released in France, but have not seen. It does have one of the best trailers I have ever seen. Can't wait to see it based on that. Do yourself a favor and hunt down the trailer on-line

2McAbre:

Another formula driven action film that wasn't actually bad, but at the same time is easily forgotten once viewed. I'll give them credit for attention to detail (watch for the first car roll at the construction site ;-), now if only they had given as much thought to the actual realities of the story. Nobody is that physically fit to walk away from some of these fight scenes without a scratch, there is no way to "prevent" that in real life. Also there was a lack of real chemistry between some of the characters, which caused the acting to be a bit on the bad side. Overall "Taken" is worth a single watch, its not very memorable, nor is it especially exciting, but it was fun while it lasted. At least I didn't fall asleep while watching it.