Reminiscent of the Die Hard and Bourne characters, Liam Neeson’s character, Bryan Mills, moves through the seedy underworld of Paris in an attempt to rescue his kidnapped daughter, Kim, played by Maggie Grace. Neeson’s performance is up to the demands of this film genre.
Taken - Beginnings
The movie starts slowly, carefully building empathy for Bryan who spent his entire adult life in service of the United State government as a “preventer”. The role of preventer is not clearly defined, but the viewer is left to believe his skills are formidable and lethal. Just as he was making an attempt to re-enter his overindulged daughter’s life, she runs off to Paris with her friend and is kidnapped.
Liam Neeson Delivers Action
Mills wastes no time procuring transportation to Paris. From this point forward Neeson’s pace is so frenetic that hardcore action junkies will be pleased. Within minutes of landing he is laying waste to the inhabitants of the darker side of the City of Light with the single minded goal of rescuing his daughter. In typical Hollywood fashion the hero lands every punch and is missed by every shot fired.
Prejudice
This movie is for American audiences. It plays on deep seeded American hated for the French, Arabs and the criminal elements of former communist nations, in this case Albania. This undertone is unfortunate. It feeds into a negative world view shared by many about Americans - once again the Americans invade a foreign soil for their own purpose without the consent of the ruling government. This movie would have been just as effective if it had taken place in any large American city.
Paris
The views of Paris are not what film goers have become accustomed to seeing. Minus a few opening shots of the city, reminiscing about a trip to the City of Lights will not be facilitated by this movie. The unseemly side of Paris, which exists in any large city, is highlighted in this tour.
Overall
Prejudice undertones aside, the film is a non-stop thriller. The fight scenes are well choreographed and the plot moves steady towards the climax without boring side trips. Even in his mid-50’s, Neeson has no difficulties selling the audience on his abilities as an action hero who can single-handedly dismantle a network of bad guys. The supporting casts' performances are good, but no one character, outside of Neeson, spends much time on the screen. Neeson, playing a vengeful lone wolf on the prowl, carries the movie by himself.
