Solid, tense action movie

Rating: 9/10 (8 March 2012)

We went up to the theatre at her behest. I asked what she had thought about seeing. Taken was the first movie she mentioned. I quickly kissed her after saying "great minds think alike". I had been intrigued by the film's trailer. I like good action movies and think Liam Neeson is a very competent actor. Liam Neeson plays a retired "preventor" who has moved to Los Angeles to spend more time with his daughter. His ultimate goal is to see if she will live with him while going to school. He spent much of her childhood away from home doing things he can't discuss in polite company. Neeson's character never goes into detail about exactly what he has done. The only glimpse we get into his former life at the onset are bits and pieces of "war stories" some former colleagues share around a game of cards and at the dinner table. The film starts slowly. We are shown that Bryan Mills is a meticulous, detailed man. He lives modestly and quietly (but then, all deadly good guys do, in the movies). When offered the opportunity to earn a little extra income on a one night security job, we see that Mills (Neeson) is a quick-thinking and fast moving adversary who is very good at what he does (or used to do). His moonlighting provides him with an opportunity to provide a very unique gift to his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace) whom he would do anything for. Before he has the chance to surprise her, she surprises him by asking permission to travel outside of the U.S. with a friend and go to Paris. Bryan is very reluctant to let a 17 year old girl travel with her friend to Paris, unchaperoned. He knows how dangerous the world can be from first hand experience. After much consideration, and belittling of his ex-wife (Famke Janssen) he agrees to let his daughter go, with conditions. As soon as the girls arrive in Paris, they are targeted by an overly friendly stranger for abduction. During one of the films most harrowing moments, Bryan listens on the phone as his only daughter is kidnapped by strangers over 6,000 miles away. "Hey, you told us half the movie !!!" No, I only told you about the first 20 minutes. After that, you (and Mills) are off...AND RUNNING ! After (during) her abduction, Bryan Mills turns into an older Jack Bauer. For those who understand this reference, I can all but guarantee... you are going to like this movie. I liked this movie a lot. Not too deep, but its an action movie that does not disappoint.
What I liked : Fast-paced, believable action. As I said, he turns into Jack Bauer. Single-minded, decisive...and deadly. If you want to see the bad guys get better than they give, you'll be smiling and laughing (while on the edge of your seat) for most of the movie. Great acting by all involved. Every character is played well. You don't go too deep into anyone, even Mills or his daughter. But you are totally into the story. Credible. Mills is not Superman. He relies on friends, his wits, his experience, and his training. He overcomes setbacks...all while a short clock is ticking. Almost none of it reminded me that I was "watching a movie".
What I didn't like : It's PG-13, and I am going to guess it had to undergo some cuts to keep it from being rated R. Foul language, violence (although nothing "graphic") and its subject matter makes this one not for kids anywhere near 13. This is a movie about the real and disgusting world of human trafficking. There is no nudity, but there are several girls who appear to be teenagers in little more than lingerie. Fast cuts. As I have stated before, they keep making action movies like music videos. There are a lot of jump cuts and shaky cameras (especially during car chases) that jolt you a little more than needed. THUMBS UP! My wife enjoyed it, and so did I. I mentioned that I saw it to a few people I worked with, who as it turns out, had also seen it and gave it high praise.