Taken (***½)

Directed by: Pierre Morel
Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Jannsen, Maggie Grace, Xander Berkeley
Seen: September 12th and 23rd 20008

***½ Out of ****

Taken does extremely well what most films nowadays have a hard time doing; it truly draws every viewer into the film. For the first 10 to 15 minutes, the film literally takes the time to position its fingers around your throat, and then, suddenly, it tightens that grip, and only reluctantly lets go after the viewer walks out of the cinema.

Bryan (Neeson) is an ex-CIA agent, explained here as a “preventer”. We see him protecting a pop-star (Holly Vallance) at the start of the movie and we immediately know that this guy has the skills necessary for what comes later in the film. His work led to his divorce from his wife, Lenore (Jannsen); and his daughter Kim (Grace), whom he loves like any father does, now lives with her mother and “new” father Stuart (Berkeley).

When Kim wants to travel to Europe with her best friend, Bryan is overly protective and does not want her to go. But, as we all know would happen, he changes his mind, and allows her trip, also realising that her ruse of staying put in Paris going to museums and other landmarks is a cover. She is going to tour Europe to follow U2 around for some concerts. He let this go, and gives her the all important rule: She has to call him constantly, to let him know she is safe. That doesn’t realise however, as the two girls are kidnapped within their first hour at the apartment they stay in.

Bryan was on the line with Kim when they were kidnapped, and he goes into operational mode immediately. He contacts his CIA friends to assist in identifying the perpetrators, and sets off for Europe himself. What ensues is a delicious adventure ride of an extremely dangerous father looking for his daughter, showing absolutely no mercy for whoever shows themselves to be involved in any way or for whoever stands in his way.

This film would not likely have happened without the likes of Jack Bauer, as Bryan and Bauer are similar in how they get things done. Brutal. Quick. No mercy. Anything goes. The action never relents, and the adrenaline never stops pulsing, to such an extent that peaceful people would almost applaud every killing of a person involved in human trafficking in the film. This film touches us on a level where we are all connected – the love for the people close to us, and what we would do to protect them. And it works, beautifully.