What a take!

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2009)

As I finally woke up to the sleeper action movie hit of the year "Taken", I was taken by surprise on how immensely entertaining this narrative is. Sure it does incorporate various faux action tactics by the lead action character, but you know what? I'll take it! Liam Neeson stars as retired CIA Agent Bryan Mills who might be the best of the action heroes to arrive in the cinematic millennium. It's not so what Mills can do, is what he cannot do. He is sharp, cerebral, dynamic, skilled, swift just to give you a few takes on his strengths. Mills' CIA training definitely comes in handy when his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) is what else "taken" on a Paris vacation by an Albanese gang for slave trade. Thereafter, Daddy Mills puts on his vengeance suit and off to Paris he goes to rescue his daughter and take down the malos. Does the Mills prevail? Well, I can't take that away from you by providing you the answer. You are going to take it all in cinematic stride by watching "Taken". Director Pierre Morel excelled in orchestrating action sequences in "Taken" with his rapid style. Sure no CIA agent could realistically be as skilled as Mills and sometimes his marvel proficiency seemed more illusory than authentic. But we could say the same for "Die Hard" machismo John McClane and many other infamous action heroes. So we should all take it with a grain of salt, and ask ourselves "Is this plain action movie fun?" I sure thought so! I am glad the protagonist role was taken by veteran actor Liam Neeson! He was, to simply say it, "kick ass" as Mills. "Taken" will not capture everyone, especially those nitpicking critics, but I was sure taken in on this 90 minute action entertainment ride. OK, that was my last take for the compelling "Taken". ***** Excellent