Ever since I saw the trailers for this movie, I knew I had to watch it.   There is just something about the intensity associated with the tension and desperation of trying to recover an abducted loved one that really appeals to me.  Add in the fact that Liam Neeson is the star and the movie was written by Luc Besson, who has written and directed some of the coolest action flicks of my generation,  (Fifth Element, The Transporter series, Kiss of the Dragon, The Messenger, etc.) and a kickass film is all but guaranteed.

Taken is the story of  retired government agent named Bryan (can’t quite remember a last name but does it really matter? He’s played by Neeson!) who, since retiring, has tried to rebuild his relationship with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace).  While his daughter adores him, he is up against some stiff competition in the form of her bitter mother (Famke Jannsen) and her billionaire step dad (Xander Berkley) who gives her everything she wants. When Kim asks Bryan if she can travel to Europe with a friend, he reluctantly agrees, although his instincts caution him against the whole idea.  Upon arrival in Europe, Kim and her friend are abducted into the Armenian sex trade, but not before she is able to call Bryan on her cell phone and screaming for his help. Immediately after, one of the abductors picks up the phone and Bryan promises to find him and kill him if his daughter is not released. The rest of the movie follows Bryan and his quest to fulfill said promise.

Plot wise, the film is pretty solid for an action flick. Granted there are instances and coincidences that are a bit far fetched, but overall they are hardly noticeable as the movie moves along at a fast pace giving you little time to question the plausibility of certain things. Don’t expect any M.Night Shayamalan style twists in this one, as the plot is straight forward. Bryan is looking for his daughter and will stop at nothing to get her back, even if it means killing every single person he encounters along the way.  To be honest, the simplicity of it all is perfect in this film as the tension is kept so high that there is little time to focus on plot.

As far as the cast, there is really only one actor that gets screen time throughout the film and that is Neeson. His performance conveys the intensity and desperation of Bryan’s search for his missing daughter. He really makes you believe that he wants nothing more than to get her back and in turn will stop at nothing. Although he seems at the mercy of the kidnappers, you get the impression that they are the ones who need to be afraid.  When watching this film, I couldn’t help but compare his performance to that of Denzel Washington in “Man on Fire.” Both actors are excellent and both do an excellent job of personifying the raw determination of someone who is not only trying to save a loved one, but who is also more than trained and equipped to do so. 

The supporting cast is just fine. Nothing spectacular but nothing deal breaking either. Maggie Grace does well as the daughter and plays the helpless heroine quite convincingly. Famke Jannsen seems to have the bitchy mother role down to a tee, and she delivers yet again in this film. There were a few other characters who share a bit of screen time but in all honesty, this is Neeson’s show and he carries it perfectly.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for an exciting edge of your seat flick. Its good to see Neeson in a physically demanding action role, as the last ones I can remember him in were ‘Rob Roy’, an excellent movie, and ‘Episode I: Phantom Menace’, which I thought he also did great in despite my mixed feelings about the film overall. Anyways, definitely check this out if you’re looking for a solid action flick. You may have to suspend your disbelief here and there,  but in the end you won’t be disappointed.