Before Watching: Taken (2008)

Rating: 8/10 (17 July 2019)

"Taken" (2008) is an intense action movie starring Liam Neeson, and the first installment in the Taken franchise. If you want to get as much out of it as possible, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before watching:
Taken's plot revolves around trafficking and, unsurprisingly, abduction. Other sensitive topics are also brought up, such as prostitution. All in all, it creates a very dark and sometimes disturbing tone, which some viewers can find repulsive. Nevertheless, Taken never exploits said subjects deeper than what's necessary. Although intense, it is manageable.
Taken is also a very violent film. The fight scenes, thanks to the contrasts from the relatively soft beginning and family interactions, can have a very shocking and brutal approach. Blood is present, but never in excess.
There are two sequels to this movie, which continues the established premises but doesn't contribute much more than additional runtime. One could skip them and not miss out on much, however, if you find yourself a die-hard fan of Taken, it could be of interest to at least watch the second installment and take it from there.
My personal grade: a rock solid 8/10. If you found this helpful, check my profile for more reviews.