Review of Taken (2004) by Russell G — 16 Feb 2014
Who knew Liam Neeson was such a bad mother....shut your mouth. Neeson is simply awesome in this one. He plays a retired CIA super-soldier who will stop at nothing to save his kidnapped daughter, and I mean nothing.
Neeson's conviction, intense rage and merciless wrath are something to behold. He still operates with cool calculating precision, making him the perfect hero figure for the situation. This is cut from the same quilt as Die Hard and Air Force One.
Yes, it is that good! The sex trafficking peril that this kidnapped girl faces is a much more serious villain than most movies employ. This type of awful abduction seems like something that could actually happen, and that makes things feel even more frighteningly real.
Audiences will invest far more in this helpless girl due to her horrific situation, then a typical family hostage situation, missing girl, or damsel in distress. This is a huge step up from the director Pierre Morel, who until know is mainly known for the goofy Transporter series.
The premise is simple, but the unrelenting action and fast moving camera motion is exceptional. Some critics diminish it for being a somewhat unrealistic, but it never loses touch with of its established level reality or seems corny for a minute.
No doubt, about it, this is a great action movie, and it gets everything right.
This review of Taken (2004) was written by Russell G on 16 Feb 2014.
Taken has generally received mixed reviews.
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