Ultimateserge’s Block

Taken March 16, 2009

Format: Thriller

Rating:

Directed by Pierre Morel

Starring:
Liam Neeson
Maggie Grace
Famke Janssen
Xander Berkeley
Katie Cassidy
Olivier Rabourdin
Holly Valance
Jon Gries
David Warshofsky

Release date(s): 26 September 2008(United Kingdom)30 January 2009(United States)

How caring can a father actually become? Is there a true limit in being overprotective or caring? Does it depend on one’s rascal kids or is it the personality of the parent that will make him more concerned?!!

Taken is the story of ex-CIA “preventer” Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) who retires to be closer to his daughter, Kim. She though is jeopardizing his plans by attempting to flee from the family nest. She stays with her mother and rich stepfather who isn’t in anyway buying his way into her heart with extraordinary gifts which overshadows anything Bryan could give her by miles. Though retired, Bryan still has what it takes to be a preventer and at times he does take on responsibilities with his past CIA colleagues.

The plot really warms up when Kim (Maggie Grace) goes to France with her friend, Amanda for U2 concerts. Before arriving at the house, they meet a young nice man by the name of Peter who gets their number and invites them to a party that night. Before long, the girls are “taken” or rather kidnapped by an unknown source that seems to receive information from people like Peter.
It must be extremely hard for a parent like Brian, who happens to be somewhat of an Assassin, to guide his daughter through the peril she witnesses. He knows that she will be kidnapped, based on his experience, but if she is to be taken, why not let the savages find her freely rather than search for her? Does it not leave a better impression to give in freely rather than hide from danger! This may sound idiotic, but if one is sure to be caught, why should it be necessary to hide?

The audience may become disgusted with Brian’s effectuation with his daughters whereabouts, but it seems like he has truly witnessed the trouble some young girls like his daughter can get in to; As a result maybe he has a right to be overprotective. As we progress forward in the film we feel for him, and are more offended by her mother’s careless attitude that finally leaves Kim in a terrible situation that only her father can resolve.

Liam Nesson’s character is in many ways identical if not better than Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne. I found Brian refreshing for he did not stray away from conversation, unlike Bourne, and was more of a savage who fought for a CAUSE. Bourne, on the other hand, slaughters individuals just to escape from a conspiracy concerning him that never seems to end.

Taken in no way lacks energy, speed, action or gore; all the necessary requirements that produce a desirable action flick. The big problem of the film is that it lacks a creative plot. This is the same action-movie formula that has been applied to numerous other films. Taken just fails to make it better or even worse than all those films it precedes. Though in the beginning, one has hope that Taken may turn into a slick smart thriller, as it unravels, it sinks into the same category of movies with unpleasantly pleasant ending we have been used to experience. In other words, when the credits role, one has to grasp the idea that everyone survived the dilemma and is going to go back to their normal lives with little noticeable difference.

I think this film is not a well-written thriller, but then again, most thrillers are not. My reaction to Taken is mixed, for it is not disappointing but neither is it strong enough to be recalled after the credits. In other words it is so straight forward that it does not allow one to think of the story any further. When a movie is so straight forward, without any twist and turns or even surprises, what is left to ponder about?