Taken, 2008 (c) Twentieth Century Fox

Twentieth Century Fox – 2008

Starting: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace

Director: Pierre Morel

Prepare yourself for a mature, International ass-whooping in this action film starring Liam Neeson.  Neeson, who plays ex-Secret Service Agent turned retiree Brian Mills, is not unlike any other middle-aged man living in Los Angeles – tired, divorced, and struggling to gain the respect of his teenage daughter, Kim (played by Maggie Grace), whom he practically ignored during his career years as a Government-sanctioned “preventer.”  This is never explained in the film, but I’m guessing Brian was responsible for the “prevention” of bad things…very bad things.

The film begins with Brian buying a cheap GPX karoake machine for his daughter at what looks like a pawn shop before showing up moments later at his daughter’s birthday party – a party that’s being held at her stepfather’s super richie mansion.  His ex-wife, Lenny, or “Lenore” as she prefers now (played by the ever-gorgeous Famke Janssen), is one cold queen and you won’t find it hard to disslike her general attitude as she scoffs at Brian’s present.

Later, some of Brian’s former colleagues drop by and the boys bond over barbeque and beers while reminiscing about the good old days when they were waiting for air strikes…ah, I remember those days.  Fondly.  They convince him to help them provide security at a concert being held the following night for pop diva, Sheenah.  And why not?  The money’s good, and he can always TiVo “Walker, Texas Ranger.”  He agrees.

The night of the concert, we expect something to happen, otherwise, why would we be dragged to a teenie bopper concert with some vapid pop diva?  So, it’s no surprise when, after discovering an unauthorized open stage door, Brian is forced to evacuate Sheenah, saving her from some crazed fans who rush her.  Unbelievably thankful for his help, believing he has saved her life, Sheenah gives Brian the number of her vocal coach and agent to give to his ungrateful, wannabe singer daughter.  Which, is perfect since his daughter Kim has asked to meet him for lunch the following day.

Wanting nothing more than the respect and attention of his daughter, Brian meets Kim (and her tag along mother) for lunch when she corners him with another request – his signature on a consent form allowing her to travel with her 18-year old friend to Paris.  Now we realize who is going to be “Taken” and who is going to have to get her back…oh, kids these days.  Drinking, sexting, traveling internationally, and being sold into white slavery by Armenian gangsters…

Of course, she asauges her father’s fears by saying she will have chaperones, she will be spending 90% of her time in museums (really?  does he really buy that?  I went to Europe when I was 17, and I most certainly visited a few museums — a few — but most of my time was spent in clubs and cafes, you know…being a young adult, enjoying my freedom).  And Brian eventually agrees, presenting her with an international cell phone with his phone number preprogrammed and a signed consent form.  He lays down the ground rules, but he should know better – she’s not one of his Secret Service buddies.  She’s a red-blooded teenage girl, heading abroad for the first time, with a plan to follow U2 across Europe.

Yes, Kim is kidnapped.  The scene in which she is abducted will make the hair stand up on your arms – Neeson proves he is still an amazing actor here when he says to his daughter as she hides under a bed in a spare room after three male intruders have taken her friend, “They are going to take you…remember…concentrate.”

The remainder of the film is a testosterone filled blood fest, with Neeson cracking skulls all over Paris.  He learns, quickly, that his daughter has been abducted with the intent to be sold as a sex slave.  What father would be able to constrain himself?  And given his unique skill set, it’s no surprise when the bodies start piling up in his wake.

The final word:  at just under 90 minutes, Taken is a dark ride into a self-indulgent story of revenge, justice, and the bleak realities of the world in which we live.  I was annoyed at moments, to be honest, with the whole “if she’d just listened to her father, she wouldn’t have been sold for $500,000 to some Sheik in an underground Parisianne slave market” thing.  The moral of the story is heavy handed, but the action sells it.  Inappropriate for children, and possibly your significant other, I chose to watch the film in a hotel while staying away from home on business.  It was a great way to pass the time, and it reminded me to double-lock my hotel room door.

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