'Man on Fire' meets 'The Bourne Identity'

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2009)

This movie immediately caught my interest when I first saw the trailer, and thankfully, it was everything I thought it would be.
'Taken' stars Liam Neeson as a retired CIA operative, desperately trying to rekindle his relationship with his estranged daughter. So when she suddenly springs the idea of traveling to Paris with one of her friends, he very reluctantly allows her to go in an attempt to get her to take him back into her life. Before his daughter could see the Eiffel Tower, Neeson's worst fears are realized, and his daughter is kidnapped and dragged off, only to leave a very determined Liam Neeson to recover her.
At 97 minutes, this movie is short, sweet, and to the point. Initially, I was worried if Liam Neeson may have been miscast, as this is not usually the sort of roles we are used to seeing him in, but he shows us a hardcore, and welcomed side of his acting. The action sequences are well done and well timed. Neeson is as resourceful as he is brutal in this role. You see the determination of Denzel Washington from 'Man on Fire', with the moves of Jason Bourne in Neeson's performance. All in all, a very entertaining movie and a welcomed change of pace from Liam Neeson.