By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
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“Taken” (Action: 1 hour, 31 minutes); Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, and Maggie Grace; Director: Pierre Morel; Rated: PG-13 (Violence, profanity, sexual content, some drug references and thematic elements)
Movie Review: While in Paris, Kim Mills (Grace), a 17-year-old, is abducted while on the phone with her father, Bryan Mills (Neeson), a former Secret Service member. When Bryan promises the silent listener on the other end he will find his daughter, the mysterious, eerie voice responds, “Good luck.” Bryan jets off to Europe to find his beloved daughter.
Neeson is not typically thought of as an action hero, but he works here. He is silent; his character’s only intention is enacting revenge for those responsible for his daughter’s abduction. Neeson’s silence makes him more menacing in a convincing manner. This man only wants his daughter’s safe return, and he means business. Yet the story, while an interesting plot with a good leading man, results in the typical action movie ploys, murder, car chases, and unbelievable stunts.
Grade: C+ (We are taken with Neeson but not with this screenplay.)
1 response so far ↓
1 Garrett // Feb 20, 2009 at 5:07 pm
This movie is probably the best action movie I have ever seen. The charm about it is its realistic characters and actions as well as the detailed action sequences, where a pro can say good job. I am tired of the cliché-style-tough-six-pack guys. People who have seen Rob Roy can say for Neeson that he has done it again. Also, there is no excess kissing or hugging in the middle of the action and the movie ends quickly - jobs done. Judging the action movie genre I give that movie A.
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