Taken DVD: Review By Shelley

THE CAST:

Liam Neeson is the main character in this film. He is very convincing in the role of father as well as a highly trained ‘Preventer’. Neeson is an all around wonderful actor who can play any part he chooses with finesse. I look forward to his portrayal of Zeus in Clash of the Titans next year.

The rest of the cast all give good performances and are equally convincing they include Famke Janssen, Leland Orser, Holly Valance and Maggie Grace.

DIRECTION, CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SPECIAL EFFECTS:

The photography, camera angles and editing were all excellent. No shaky camera moves and I appreciated it most during the action scenes. The fight sequences were choreographed extremely well and it was apparent Neeson took his Shinsai Goshin Kai training very seriously. When it comes to effects they were all done so convincingly you really do not think of them as ‘special effects’.

Taken was directed by Pierre Morel and this was his second film as far as directing. He obviously knows what works with this type of film because it was cleverly executed.

THE GOOD:

Taken was very well written and engrossing and ‘hold your breath’ moments throughout. The pacing in the beginning is a tad slow, but it is important for character development. By the end of the film you realize why it was important to do it in that manner.

THE BAD:

The film has a couple plot holes and flaws but nothing that cannot be overcome. The mother’s character bothered me, but that stems from being a mother myself I am sure. She just seemed a little too unconcerned. Several more things could be said about the plot but not without giving away crucial elements so I will not go into detail.

THE STORY (may contain spoilers):

Bryan Mills (Neeson) is retired from the CIA and has given up his career in order to spend more time with his 17 year-old daughter. Try as he may he cannot seem to get as close to her as he would like due to her new life. Her mother’s new husband showers her with expensive gifts and Bryan cannot compete. Because she is only 17, she needs her father’s permission to go to Paris. Against his better judgment, he signs the consent form allowing her to go. Once she arrives in Paris she and her friend are marked by a spotter for an Albanese gang of human trafficking. Then her father’s worst nightmare comes true, she is taken. Now Mills must rely on all of his past training to travel to Paris and find his daughter before it is too late.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Extended Cut Widescreen DVD has disappointing Extras with just Trailers. It would have been nice for a few commentaries with the cast going into the Shinsai Goshin Kai training Neeson received and the fact this film caused Famke Janssen to enter the real world fight against corruption. It is interesting that she now serves as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office against Drugs and Crime because she was so affected by the film.

REPLAY VALUE:

Above average replay for Taken because even if you do know how it all ends, it can be exciting many times over.

BOTTOM LINE:

I was rather disappointed when I realized the ‘extended cut’ meant only two extra minutes of film. I feel if they are going to go through all the trouble of releasing a DVD with the ‘theatrical version’ and ‘extended version there should be more than a two minute difference.

This is one of those films you take great pleasure in seeing someone kick some major butt. Not only does it make you hope for vengeance, but it makes you realize pretty early on that things of this nature do actually happen to naive teenagers. I do highly recommend this film because even with the flaws it is highly captivating and thrilling to watch.

Thanks for reading.