Review: Taken Will Find You, And It Will Entertain You
- Jan 2, 2018
- 2 min read
Liam Neeson is leaving action behind. With the imminent release of The Commuter and Hard Powder coming later in the year, the career path that brought him to the attention of so many will come to an end. So let us turn back the clock to where it began.
Estranged father and ex-husband Bryan Mill (Neeson) is desperately trying to reconnect with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) after many years of CIA work kept them apart. But when a fateful trip to Paris finds Kim in the hands Albanian sex traffickers, Bryan return to his old ways as he pursues the kidnappers, intent of rescuing his daughter and wiping out his enemy.
Taken is one half hard-boiled detective story, one half all out action movie and all great. Very much inspired by the Bourne films that came before it, Taken has all the elements of a mid-2000’s action thriller. Neeson’s Mills is an ex-CIA operative with a serious set of skills and a somewhat mysterious past battling an expansive enemy who has fingers in all parts of society. Much of the action is done in the now loathed shaky-cam style, though it’s done very well, unlike the films sequels.
At age 56, Neeson becomes a force to be reckoned with, taking the fight the younger, though generally smaller, foes. He possesses the calm rage that very few actors can maintain. The story even manages to be somewhat intriguing, if a little contrived. It’s a pleasant surprise considering much of the plot content these days is pretty weak. For what it is, it keeps you guessing and brings enough new challenges to keep things interesting.
If you’re looking for a modern action classic, look no further. In a world dominated by crap like Hitman, Atomic Blonde and The Fast And Furious franchise, Taken, despite its similarities to much of modern action, manages to feel refreshing, enjoyable and thrilling. It’s earned its place, and your viewing.
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