It proves that Liam Neeson can pack a punch.

Rating: 8/10 (15 April 2009)

This movie successfully fills that "Bourne" void, that I've been feeling lately. Taken is about what an ex-spy has to go through to rescue his kidnapped daughter. It shows an extremist point of view through the eyes of Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) as he kicks, punches, and shoots his way through Paris.
For a 90 minute movie, it starts packing a punch after the first 15 minutes. Character development was straight forward, and digs deep enough to know the current situation between Bryan Mills and his ex-wife and estranged daughter. In the beginning, I almost thought the story was going on a tangent into unnecessary territory, (with that pop singers body guard ordeal), I start thinking to myself "When is Liam Neeson going to start kicking butt?" But when it started to get good, it got great.
The action scenes are an adrenaline rush that emanates the spirit of the "Bourne-Trilogy", except that this one is more emotional and personal. It was fun to see Liam Neeson muscle and interrogate his way through the Airport, the construction site, the hideout, the fancy party, and the yacht. All the fights and shootouts were quick. That escape scene when Liam Neeson was tied to an overhead lead pipe was a bit clichéd but it didn't ruin the fun ride. I said to myself "Yeah Liam, beat the Sh__ out of them..." Psychologically it shows what extreme methods someone has to go through to save their loved ones. Even it means threatening and shooting innocent people, but "it was only a flesh wound".
Overall, I recommend this movie, that's unless you're associated with the French Police (This wasn't a positive portrayal of the French government.)