Director: Pierre Morel
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen
‘A Breathtaking Blockbuster’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Liam Neeson. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Neeson has become a celebrated icon. Whether it is German businessmen, bold political leaders or medieval warriors, Neeson has played many strong characters. Arguably, Neeson’s finest strength as an actor has always been strong commitment towards craft. He is one of those actors that has often had an aptitude stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Neeson has always left a powerful impression. An actor with strong commitment towards his craft, Neeson has become an icon in entertainment. Although he is most famous for playing action heroes, Neeson has proven that he can excel in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Neeson has created many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Neeson and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Taken” is my favourite. Released in 2008, Pierre Morel’s movie captured fathers seeking vengeance for daughters’ disappearances. Packed with bold action sequences, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about kidnapping. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Liam Neeson, who portrays a father facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Taken” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about kidnapping, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about parenting which would resonate among everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about kidnapping, there are countless strong reasons why “Taken” is commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
“Taken” tells a story of a frustrated father that seeks to locate his missing daughter that has been taken. Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a former government operative that has always strived to protect his children. Bryan shares a powerful bond with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace), whom he has always admired dearly. However, Bryan’s life forever changed when his daughter is kidnapped in grave danger. Faced with the realities of human trafficking, Bryan is forced to question whether he would be able to save his daughter from kidnapping. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Bryan begins to question whether he will be able to rescue his daughter. Stuck in an intense situation, Bryan is forced to question whether it is possible to rescue his daughter that’s taken.
Pierre Morel is fascinated with the themes of kidnapping. A phenomenal French filmmaker, Morel has often made engaging films about kidnapping causing danger. His iconic movie “From Paris With Love” captured a life of an assassin seeking to commit crimes with love. With “Taken”, however, Morel crafted his first abduction thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to demonstrate abductions that lead families to face adversity but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Morel captures a father embarking on a journey to locate his daughter facing adversity. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Morel expertly uses point-of-view shots to capture vigilantes seeking vengeance experiencing danger. For instance, point-of-view shots enhance phone call scene. During this tense scene, Bryan has an angry phone call conversation with gangs that have abducted his daughter. Using POV shots, Moteo creates a portrait of kidnapping which is compelling. POV shots are tricky to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Gangs of New York” suggested, POV shots elevate gang period pieces. Nevertheless, it works deftly in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Morel captures tensions fathers seeking abducted daughter are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Taken” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Morel expert uses cross-cutting to capture tensions that fathers seeking to solve kidnapping are enduring. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the kidnapper confrontation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Bryan confronts his daughters’ kidnappers in a tense situation. Through strong cross-cutting, Morel creates a captivating portrait of a kidnapping. Moreover, the music score is stellar. Nathaniel Mechaly’s music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that fathers whose daughters are kidnapped bear. Through strong production design, Morel captures the lives of commemorated kidnappers that decline.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Taken” is a film about kidnapping which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture grim kidnapping violence. Throughout the movie, Morel effectively uses silence to capture the tensions faced by fathers facing kidnapping violence. For instance, silence enhances the reunions scene. During this heartfelt scene, Bryan reunites with his daughter after many months of abductions. Using sequences of silence, Morel crafts a portrait of kidnapping that audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” suggested, silence enhances films capturing religious preachers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Motel captures kidnapping coming with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Liam Neeson delivers one of his finest career performances as Bryan Mills. Neeson earned appreciation for playing bold businessmen in historical dramas. With “Taken”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a brave father that seeks to rescue his daughter from kidnapping but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most memorable role. Neeson has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Taken” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Liam Neeson, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Maggie Grace is magnificent, capturing tension that a woman which is kidnapped is forced to face. Famke Janssen is fantastic, bringing heartfelt emotion to a woman that becomes involved in child trafficking causing tension. Lastly, Leland Orser merits appreciation. As a kidnapper with evil motives, he brings an air of menace to the movie.
Finally, “Taken” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of women that experience abduction. Unlike most films about kidnapping, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes such abduction, identity and trauma which resonate among everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with French culture to enjoy it. The film delivers a profound message about abduction that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Taken” is one of those rare crime thrillers that everyone will adore.
Fans of Liam Neeson will definitely appreciate “Taken” and so will movie-goers seeking bold entertainment. A captivating crime thriller, it honours an actor with a charismatic nature.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about fathers seeking to find taken daughters that have been abducted, it’s a compelling reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to leave audiences captivated making memorable movies about conflicted heroes that deserve to be appreciated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 