Hero Focused

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2009)

In "Taken" from a Paris apartment frightened Kim (Maggie Grace) describes the abduction of her best pal Amanda (Katie Cassidey) by Albanian human traffickers on her cell phone to her amazingly calm dad Bryan (Liam Neeson). Bryan advises his daughter to "focus". Kim hides under the bed, as her Dad advises. Then Neeson prepares Kim for worst, "You are going to be taken" One of Kim and Amanda's abductors picks up her phone. Bryan in calm and measured voice tells him, "I will look for you. I will find you. And I will kill you." Bryan Mills has "certain skills" as a retired CIA operative, who was a "preventor of bad things." From what we know of Bryan so far, we know that Bryan will keep his word.
Director Pierre Morel's "Taken" is singular and focused like his star Neeson, who is amazingly powerful and commanding as Bryan. Neeson brings such a visceral force of will that elevates what could have been an ordinary vengeance tale. Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen's screenplay enrolls us whole heartedly in Bryan's mission to get his daughter back and punish those responsible without mercy. What works is that Bryan's actions underlie his love for his daughter. Morel, Besson, and Kamen tell a compelling and classic hero story. Bryan is man of action and honors his word. And Bryan inspires others to step up, and become heroes. There is a great story arc with diva singer Sheerah (very good Holly Valance). Early on we witness Bryan's prowess as he dispatches Sheerah's attacker at a concert. Inspired by Bryan, Sheerah becomes a hero for another.
"Taken" like its hero, is defined by action. The action is driving, brutal, and unrelenting. The gun scenes are spectacular. The fight scenes are amazing with slick martial arts flair incorporating such elements as kick-boxing and Aikido. Liam Neeson is fit and strong in delivering the violence and mayhem. Neeson is a powerful and compassionate presence. He brings a determined strength, wit, and force of will that distinguishes and gives "Taken" its soul. All this makes "Taken" so surprising and so satisfying.
In "Taken" Bryan has retired from the Agency to be closer to his estranged 17 year old daughter Kim (Grace). Bryan's estranged and suffering wife Lenore (beautiful and sullen Famke Janssen), has been remarried to wealthy businessman Stuart (solid Xander Berkeley). Stuart is the stepfather, who provides everything for Kim. Bryan reluctantly agrees to let Kim travel to Paris with her friend Amanda. Bryan knows first hand that the world can be a dangerous place.
Albanian human traffickers abduct Kim and Amanda, and Bryan and Lenore learn from Bryan's agency expert Sam (good Leland Orser) that they have 96 hours to find Kim. The compelling narrative thread is that the people responsible don't get that Bryan intends to get his daughter and kill those responsible—that's it. At one story arc, one of the villains confesses, "It wasn't personal." Bryan says, "It was all personal to me." The hero keeps his word.
Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen are strong and solid. It is Liam Neeson's charismatic and unnervingly calm presence that compels and inspires "Taken". "Taken" is just a great hero story.