‘Taken’ (2008)

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In recent years, I have come to enjoy the thrills action-packed films provide. On occasion they even showcase some tender moments. Such is the case for Taken. In this case, it’s sweet to realize that love a father has for his daughter, not resting until she’s safe.

Taken (2008) Film Review

One of the best government agents, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) retires to be closer to his seventeen-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). Soon after his daughter’s birthday, he receives a call from “Kimmie” asking him to lunch the next afternoon. Expecting it to be just the two of them, the surprise is, Lenore, Kim’s mother, joins them. Instead of a nice father-daughter lunch, turns out this is a bit of an ambush. All Kim wants is his permission and signature to travel to Paris with a friend. Telling her he’ll “think about it,” Kim leaves upset.

Bryan’s work makes him overly cautious and he knows firsthand the dangers of sending minors traveling overseas, against his better judgement, Bryan gives in, much to the delight of his daughter. With a long list of stipulations, Bryan sees Kim off at the airport, never realizing it may be the last time he sees her alive.  

‘Taken’ (2008). Liam Neeson stars in this action thriller! #Moviearchives #Movies Share on X

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Taken is many things. It’s got billing as an action flick and trust me it doesn’t disappoint, but it has other things going for it that are altogether touching and frightening to experience. The father-daughter relationship is especially reason for applause and I love the fact that Kim does love her father, despite his absence. Normally films chose to portray the child as being rebellious, angry, disrespectful or just plain hurt at their parents’ lack of participation. To see something that chooses a different tactic is refreshing. Kim isn’t perfect and still has moments of confusion or attitude, but beneath it all she loves him. The only disappointment of her character is that she once lies to her father which was a big use of mistrust on her part. Likewise, Bryan is a loving father.  

The performances are excellent; veteran Neeson is superb in this role, as usual. While the older (than her character) Grace gives Kim all the right characteristics of a teenager (she’s giggly, bouncy and innocent); she captures the essence of the role. I thoroughly enjoy this film despite its harsh realities and sad scenarios. It provides lots of breath-holding, edge-of-your-seat thrills and by the conclusion, viewers can relax knowing that everything came out as well as possible, due to a pleasantly sweet ending. If nothing else it makes us aware of the many and real dangers that are out there, while being a poignant reminder that dad really does know best. We should always take his advice or decisions with great respect.  

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Content: there is lots of tense moments [the abduction]. Numerous men die; a man is hit by a truck [impact unseen], another is tortured “to death” [he receives shocks]; and numerous others receive many fatal wounds and/or die in horrific crashes. A woman is threatened; another lies lifeless on a bed. In a sickening sequence, men “buy” time with the women who are full of drugs. We see brief scenes of the men in the “bays” [nothing terribly graphic]. Remarks suggest one girl is “pure”; her friend urges her to lose her virginity. The girls are put into scanty outfits. Profanity is also a problem [including an f-word and a crude gesture], misuses of the Lord’s name are uttered. A girl lies to her father. The film is PG-13.