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Created May 16, 2009 09:03AM PST • Edited May 16, 2009 09:03AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   Taken is what a lot of people refer to as the “smart person’s action movie”. This sub-genre of “action” film seems to be including films like the Jason Bourne movies, The third Mission: Impossible, The first Daniel Craig Bond movie, etc. While the title of “smart” and “action” do apply to Taken, as well as the other films, it may be easier to simply refer to it as a smart movie. The film starts off with a bit of a bang, with Liam Neeson showcasing just how talented the character of Bryan Mills really is, rescuing a young pop starlet. From there the movie turns to his daughter following around U2 on a European tour, much to his chagrin. Move that up a day or two and you find him on the phone with his about to be kidnapped daughter, playing it effortlessly cool amidst the terror of hearing your daughter being, well, taken. The quote that follows is the tagline of the movie and possibly one of the most truthfully told and frozen cold lines spoken in recent action cinema, which will be discussed later int he review. this movie blew my expectations away and was a treat to watch from beginning to end (at only 90 minutes, it really is a breeze to sit through).

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Liam Neeson was born to play the character of Bryan Mills. Suffice it to say, at his age, watching him tear these people in two with calculated skills and suppressed emotions (utilizing logic in moments of emotional distress only serves to show his strength and will power). Liam Neeson has long been known as the kind of actor who is capable of playing any role, and with this, he nails it once again. This movie is his show, and everybody else is there along for the ride. Famke Jannsen and Maggie Grace play the other two leads, respectively, and they do the film a service by being there and giving it their all. Maggie Grace may be a bit old (no offense Maggie, you’re still pretty!) to be playing a 17 year old girl, but she makes the whole thing work rather well. Famke’s role is that of worried mother, and she nails it. Then again, she disappears for the better part of the movie. To conclude, this is Liam’s show and if not for him, the film would fail.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    This is a film that lives and breathes attitude, grit, despair, and cold blooded chaos. the beauty of that is that the movie deservedly owes its power to those same credits. Pierre Morel (District B13) brings the level of intensity that his prior experience in the director’s chair had provided him to craft an exquisite display of a power shift going through France as one man makes good on the promise he made over the phone. “I will find you. I will kill you”. the script, written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen (Kiss of the Dragon, The Transporter series, Unleashed, etc.) is not only well thought and paced, but taut as can possibly be without leaving gaping plot holes. like stated, this film is a shade over 90 minutes long, and it feels like it breezes by in 20. From the moment you find yourself caught up in the plot and you are watching Bryan Mills do what he does best, it is a thrill ride (a cliche i know) that rarely ever lets up. the acting is top notch, the production is perfect, and the music serves the scenes effortlessly.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Dialogue Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 3.1

    Taken starts off in PG-13 territory, with the rescue of the young girl, but quickly veers off into the R-rated when the principal plot kicks in. the violence is fast and brutal, but not in an over the top way—it is far more brutal for its quickness, making it feel that much more realistic. The plot itself centers not just around revenge, but around girls being kidnapped and sold into the illegal sex trade or prostitution, which is to say, rather risque. There is a bit of nudity, blood, and sexual activities, drug use, and language, but so over the top as to say it isn’t recommended. nothing that would be acceptable for young ones, but i have a hard time thinking that anyone would have trouble watching this as an adult, going into it with an open, mature mind.

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Savage 3.7

19. Rudeness Profane 3.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.9

    the greatest fear stemming from the film is the realism found within it. Taken could actually happen. the illegal sex trade does exist and there is not a lot that can be done about it. People in high places on payroll, people looking the other way, kidnappings being swept under the rug…all part of a criminal underworld that is in existence and should strike fear into anyone, causing collective shudders upon introspective thought. The less realistic part of this film is that one man can take the entire organization down at its foundation in 96 hours. I’m not saying it cannot be done, and I’m not saying that it hasn’t already been done (but I have my reservations on believing the second one) but watching one man accomplish so much in such a short amount of time is a bit of an unrealistic motivational part of the film. It is amazing to watch and you cheer him on the entire way, with the violence and situations are realistic as well, thus creating a very real film experience that easily allows you to leave any and all inconsistencies and lack of realism behind. Highly recommended.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.3

23. Biological Glib 1.7

24. Physical Glib 1.4