Taken - Great Edge of Your Seat Action Adventure! (Taken [2008] (DVD))

Member Name: LAURALILIA

Product:	Taken [2008] (DVD)
Date:	24/06/09 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pacy film that keeps you on the edge of your seat .

Disadvantages: A bit far fetched - but who cares?

***Taken (2008)***

Taken wasn't my first choice with Lovefilm, so I was a little disappointed when it popped through the letterbox on Saturday. I am now pleased that it did as I had an indulgent afternoon, watching this as it kept me on the edge of my seat. It has not won any major awards, nor is it a classic masterpiece of cinema, but it was really enjoyable as I like action/adventure spy type films.
Plot


The plot is quitet simple. The film gets off to a pacy start and introduces us to the main characters and their relationships quite quickly. The film is centred around Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace).

Bryan has been engrossed in his career as a government agent for years, and that led to the break up of his marriage and also meant that he didn't see his daughter as often has he would have liked. She is a teenager now and Bryan has recently quit his job and moved to be closer to his daughter, who now lives with her mother and wealthy step-father. It is safe to say there is a hint of bitterness in the relationship with his now ex-wife.


Bryan has carefull selected Kim's 17th birthday present and attends her house to give her his gift. It is here that the scene is set for emphasising just how far apart their lives have become.

He is desperate to build a relationship with her and is pleased when she arranges to meet him for coffee. However, it transpires that she is just after his signature to allow her to travel to Europe for the summer with her best friend. He is afraid for her safety; his job has taught him that the world is not a safe place, especially for two young girls. Reluctantly he agrees and off to Paris she goes.


I don't really want to elaborate anymore or spoil any of what happens, only to say that you can guess what comes next by the title of the film. I also think this is covered by the blurb on the back of the dvd or on shop websites.

===Opinion===


I really enjoyed this film, I added it to my rental list after reading about it on here. It is very fast paced and so you have no time to get bored or switch off. I would say that the film could have done with being another 15 minutes long, as it seemed to be all over so quickly.

Liam Neeson did well in this role; one that I have not seen him in before. He could in fact be Jack Bauer's cousin from 24!! He plays the part of a man driven in his pursuits and one that is concerned with attention to detail. You feel that he is an expert in his field and will stop at nothing to help his daughter. He was totally believable in this role.


His wife also plays her part extremely well, but seems almost too beautiful to be married to this man in the first place (not that Liam Neeson is ugly, but she is stunning)

I don't know if it was meant to come across this way, but the actress (Maggie Grace) playing his daughter just came across as 'bratty', and I didn't empathise or care for this character at all! Perhaps she is a good actress or perhaps I just don't like her - I couldn't make my mind up on this one.


As I have said the film does grip you, but be prepared that the whole basis for the film is far fetched. Too many long shots come off and of course he is never hurt at all when he is in the middle of a fight. It is kind of Monty Python's 'oh it'sjust a scratch' scenario!

If you can forgive the film this, and just enjoy a bit of escapism then it is an entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.


The soundtrack wasn't really memorable, but served it's purpose, it kept the pace and suspense in the film going. There were plenty of stunts and chases if you like this type of thing. Also for fans of 24 there was a 'time' element to this film, which they might enjoy.

The ending was a bit cliched and personally I found it a bit abrupt, a bit too perfect and a bit lazy in the writing, but overall well worth a watch.

This review was of a rental dvd and there were no special features or trailers on the disk.

***Availability***

It is available from Amazon for £4.98, but it would be one that I would rent, as I don't think it has lasting appeal.

Summary: Is this man related to Jack Bauer???