Taken – Review
by John on May.31, 2009, under Reviews
What’s your view of Liam Neeson? For me, he’s always the mentor character – wise and soft-spoken. You know, the guy that always dies halfway through the movie. Having already voiced Aslan, he’s scheduled to play Zeus in the upcoming Clash of the Titans remake.
But did you know Liam can be a badass? I’m not talking about the Marky Mark, angsty kind. Think more Clint Eastwood. Got your attention now, don’t I? Liam is playing Lincoln in a 2011 biopic and I’m all kinds of hoping he plays this kind of Abe.
Taken is your basic, paint-by-numbers thriller. But don’t let that sway you. The film’s fantastic. Liam plays ex-CIA Dad whose daughter gets kidnapped in Paris. He then goes on a Dirty Harry-like rampage through the city to get her back. It’s very satisfying to watch a man dispense justice with no concern for little things like the law. This is not a film that explores the complex emotions of kidnappers, or some other sissy crap. The bad guys are bad and need to die. Period.
The plot, while simple, carries a heavy emotional element. I’m not a father, but I got swept up in that raw emotion that comes from a dad attempting to rescue his daughter. Woe to anyone who gets in the way.
If I watched it a second time, I may not enjoy it as much, but I highly recommend the first ride.
Grade: A-
