One of those rare examples of a high concept thriller where the elements come together in a way that delivers something far more original and appealing than one might imagine.
Comment
01/29/09
Taken (2009)
57
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:159
Fresh:91
Rotten:68
Average Rating:5.7/10
Consensus: Taken is undeniably fun with slick action, but is largely a brainless exercise.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Aug 14, 2008 Wide
US Box Office: $144,924,285
Synopsis: Liam Neeson is an unstoppable force in this adrenaline-fueled thriller from director Pierre Morel. Bryan (Neeson) has taken early retirement from the CIA in order to live closer to his teenage... [More]
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Xander Berkeley
Director: Pierre Morel
Reviews for Taken
121 - 140 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
What Taken lacks in plausibility, originality, political correctness and basic regard for human life it makes up for with a breakneck pace -- going straight from the eyes and ears to the adrenal glands.
01/29/09
[A] dumped-in-January film that’s better than it needs to be but, alas, still isn’t good enough.
01/29/09
This French-directed English-language film squanders a fun genre--the kidnapping thriller--in favor of an exceedingly grim and insipid exercise in globetrotting sadism.
01/29/09
It's a simple genre beat down with an outstanding vision for aggression; a convincing cartoon for those who like their revenge served cold and their parental responsibility depicted as nothing short of absolute.
01/29/09
Taken makes no false promises. It looks like a mindless track-down shoot-'em-up ... because that's exactly what it is. It ain't artful -- but it sure can be fun.
01/29/09
Pierre Morel's film moves with breathlessly incessant fluidity and speed.
01/28/09
Would that Morel had infused the project with the same variety of style he brought to District B13, but the subtle insights of the script and Neeson's splendiferous range more than pick up the slack.
01/28/09
Action-movie aficionados know to look forward to Besson’s spatially energized productions, and the new film Taken maintains his high standards.
01/28/09
Besson's espresso-jag thrillers are all the caffeine an action fan needs until the summer thrill rides arrive.
01/28/09
The film is never boring. It is, however, completely preposterous.
01/28/09
Junk, reactionary father-knows-best-because-he-used-to-murder-people-for-a-living nonsense, implicitly reinforcing all sorts of xenophobic paranoias and insidious patriarchal hierarchies. It's also absurdly entertaining.
01/28/09
Taken is movie junk food -- fun while it lasts, but not much more. Nothing wrong with that kind of snack every now and then. You just won't want a steady diet of it.
01/28/09
Still, if you're willing to hold your nose to the political subtext of Taken, it's one rousing moment after another.
01/27/09
Taken is brutish and loud and slow in parts, but also undeniably entertaining.
01/23/09
Leave your brain at the door to enjoy this smash-and-grab spree of fast-twitch carnage.
01/23/09
...a contemporary action masterpiece that surely ranks alongside the best that the genre has to offer...
11/05/08
Só não representa um desperdício maior de tempo porque dura breves 88 minutos (sem os créditos). O trailer merecia um filme melhor.
10/03/08
Just calling this formulaic doesn't cover it. The script should be credited to the computer software template that originated it.
09/28/08
Tries to be a big smart action movie even though it's utterly ludicrous.
09/26/08
Latest News for Taken
May 11, 2009:
RT on DVD: Taken Exclusive; Underworld 3, Trek Blu-ray Set!
This week on DVD, Liam Neeson (you know, the veteran Irish actor who your grandmother thinks looks nice) opens a can of whoop ass on unsuspecting kidnappers, much to our delight... More...
March 12, 2009:
Kamen, Besson Ready to Get Taken Again 
After years spent in Hollywood's creative wilderness, "Taken" screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen is right where he wants to be: partnered with Luc Besson, responsible for a string... More...
March 08, 2009:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Watchmen Scores $55.7 Million Opening
The adult-themed superhero film Watchmen seized control of the North American box office posting the biggest debut of the year with an estimated $55.7M in ticket sales over the... More...
February 08, 2009:
Trailer & Poster review
More...
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