Neeson Takes Out The Trash (Taken (Blu-ray))

Member Name: utero

Product:	Taken (Blu-ray)
Date:	09/04/09 (178 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Hard Hitting Action, Neeson's great, exciting

Disadvantages: Nothing really - does what it says on the tin

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you."

And so is the basis for Taken, a violent thriller set in Paris for that little bit of va va voom. Liam Neeson plays Bryan, a former spy who has taken early retirement in order to be near to his daughter and catch up on the years lost when his job consumed his time. Begrudgingly letting his daughter go it alone on a European trip leads to her abduction by a gang taking foreign girls and using them in their sex trafficking operation. All Bryan has to go on is the final call from his daughter as she is abducted, armed with his skills, he set's out to make good on his promise to the abductors.

Taken is a slick operation taking its first 30 minutes to set-up its premise before entering a rollercoaster of hi-octane action for it's final hour. It's certainly hard hitting stuff and doesn't flinch on the action, thoroughly earning it's '18' certificate with a dark subject manner and an approach that makes sure every bullet hits it's intended target straight between the eyes.

Liam Neeson is great in the lead role, his warming tones show an normal guy but you can also buy him as someone who can do major damage and pose a threat. Bryan is more from the modern day action man mould where for the most part their actions are grounded in reality rather than the over the top theatrics of some of the previous bonds and 80's shoot em ups.

I really enjoyed the pace of the film and there was never a dull moment, in fact I'd happily watch it again. There were several moments that certainly got a grimace out of me. Director Pierre Morel certainly knows how to handle the action, sure it's tightly edited but doesn't have that overbearing style of making your eyes hurt

I can certainly see why it's been a sleeper hit in the US, taking over $100 million as it's one of those films where your expectations are low but you come out of it with those raised and that's what generates word of mouth.

I certainly wouldn't be against seeing Bryan called out of retirement for a second time as the potential is there for Neeson to be a Bourne style character.

- The Blu-Ray -

The hi-def transfer in widescreen is as you'd expect - fantastic. Crisp visuals throughout, it's the best you're going to get it while watching it on your sofa. The soundtrack is also one of those that home theatre was created for. Full of bass, surround sound pops etc. I didn't notice early on that the dialogue sounded a little dubbed rather than natural but I also thought that the musical score also had more clarity than you'd normally experience on DVD.

- Extras -

This is the disappointing part, this is named a more action packed cut but there doesn't seem to be much more in comparing the run times so I'd imagine they've re-added a few more frames of bullet hits etc.

There's a making of which is pretty much fluff material and also is very orientated for the French market with some crew interviewees speaking in their native tongue. There were no automatic subtitles with this.

Another featurette has footage from the French premiere of the film. I suppose it's particularly poignant as it features Neeson arriving with his wife Natasha Richardson on his arm, sadly Richardson passed away recently.

Finally there's side by side comparisons of key scenes where you see b-roll footage of shooting the scenes alongside the final version.

Taken came out in Europe long before it's US release, it also appeared on DVD around the time of it's US theatrical release therefore it wouldn't surprise me if there's a better version on the horizon.

- Finally -

Taken is a great action film, tightly plotted and featuring a great lead performance. I'd definitely recommend it.

Summary: A surprisingly entertaining action thriller