Trailers
Description
Bryan Mills, a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Kim. After reluctantly agreeing with his ex-wife to let Kim go to Paris on vacation with a friend, his worst nightmare comes true. While on the phone with his daughter shortly after she arrives in Paris, she and her friend are abducted by a gang of human traffickers. Working against the clock, Bryan relies on his extensive training and skills to track down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launch a one-man war to rescue his daughter.
Starring
Awards
Key opinion
Taken is widely regarded as a quintessential action-thriller that revitalized Liam Neeson’s career through his intense and grounded lead performance. While critics often dismiss the screenplay as formulaic and cliché-ridden, audiences frequently praise the film's efficient pacing and brutal, impactful fight choreography.
| Acting | Liam Neeson delivers a magnetic and physically imposing performance that single-handedly elevates the material above standard action fare. | |
| Direction | The fight choreography is visceral and realistic, serving as a standout element that influenced the modern action genre. | |
| Runtime | The film utilizes a lean 90-minute runtime to maintain constant tension and narrative efficiency. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay relies heavily on predictable tropes, divorce cliches, and shallow characterizations for everyone outside of the protagonist. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is divisive; some viewers appreciate the gritty, realistic style, while others find the shaky-cam technique distracting and derivative of the Bourne films. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the supporting cast vary; some find the performances serviceable for the genre, while others criticize the lack of depth and quality in the secondary roles. |