Taken, movie review
2009, ****, R
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
Just save yourself and listen to your parents, they are usually right about everything. This flick is scary and is one of those situations where you are caught, and sometimes -- only sometimes there is a person willing to lay their life on the line and rescue your butt.
Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson, “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Love Actually”) is an ex-CIA agent that is probably an extra cautious parent (and rightfully so) and knows best for his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace, “The Fog”). But, when she wants to go to Europe to have “fun,” with her best friend Amanda (Katie Cassidy, “Black Christmas”) he tells her no, and we of course know this starts a fight. Bryan’s ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen, “The Faculty”) pushes the issue and doesn’t see what the big deal is, and Bryan, gives in and lets her frolic off to Europe—with one condition—to call everyday and let him know she is safe.
Something awful is about to happen to Kim—Bryan’s gut was right. His daughter is kidnapped by a bunch of European human traffickers in Paris and sold into the sex slave trade. The girls are constantly drugged so they can be repeatedly abused for sexual purposes.
This is a great “lesson” movie--it shows how dangerous the world can be. It should make you more aware of things outside your bubble. And you should think twice about befriending any random stranger—especially an “extra friendly,” European.
I am very passionate about these kinds of “caught” movies, because they can be so vivid and make peoples eyes open up about such topics that you may have never thought of before. I also don’t advise you to run to Europe on a whim—yes—these things do happen in the United States, but Europe is an entire plane ride away.
Liam Neeson is excellent in this movie, as in all of his movies. I must warn you, you might not be able to handle the violence and graphic nature of this film, but I feel that everyone should view this film at least once, to see how some people value human life. I recommend you also watch, “Brokendown Palace,” starring Claire Danes, a similar storyline.
