Taken

Taken is written by French screenwriter/director Luc Besson of La Femme Nikita fame. Since Nikita, Besson has not been able to write, direct and/or produce anything that surpasses that movie. Taken has trademark Besson violence and is entertaining for anyone who enjoys fast action and quick thrills. However, the main story makes very little sense and we have to suspend most of our beliefs to allow an ex-CIA spy Bryan (played by Liam Neeson) to almost single-handedly rescue his estranged daughter (played by Maggie Grace) who has been sold into the white slave trade. This movie has done a very decent business and it could well serve as resurgence for Neeson’s career. In the movie he shows his potential as an aging action hero even though his face does show some signs of cosmetic surgery. Grace as the daughter is extremely annoying. Grace is only capable of playing her spoiled side without any other depth. Former badass Bond girl Famke Janssen plays Neeson’s long suffering ex-wife. She is given very little to do in the movie except constantly complaining about how Bryan’s old job destroyed their family. OK, as I said, people don’t go to see this movie for the story or dialogue. You go to see how Neeson shoots everybody up and kicks bad guys’ asses.