Our very own Ryan went to see Taken this weekend, the latest Liam Neeson revenge thriller, and this is his review.

(If you ever see a movie that you think the Truth On Cinema community would like to know about, and I haven’t already reviewed it, feel free to email me at dan [at] truthoncinema.com)

Ok, I love big hitting, gritty action movies. I can do without all the toys (i.e. James Bond) and all the explosions (i.e. Die Hard). Just give me a partially-compelling story and some solid action and I’m good to go. Of course, I grew up watching Rambo movies every afternoon, so maybe I’m pre-disposed. Anyway, when I saw the first previews of this film no more than 2 weeks ago, I knew that I had to see it.

This is not a strikingly original movie, but the contextualization is piercing. Without spoiling too much, or simply telling you that it is an updated version of the film Commando, let it suffice to say that the story follows retired special forces agent Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) on his quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter.

Brian Mills is basically Jack Bauer but both kinder and tougher. He loves his daughter, he laments his retirement, and he doesn’t really know what to do with himself. That is, until a whole new mission presents itself. Mills uses his connections and his skills to embark on a butt kicking mission the likes of which movie goers have not seen in some time (makes the aforementioned Daniel Craig and Bruce Willis vehicles look like a Jonas Brothers concert).

Maggie Grace (TV’s Lost) is Neeson’s daughter in the film. She’s far from being an Academy Award nominee, fortunately her acting is not a huge factor in the movie. Her character is a bit difficult to empathize with due to her bi-polar fluctuations from needy daddy issues to lying, rebellious teenager. Fortunately, the plot is laid out such that by the end of the climax of the film, the audience is practically screaming at him to reach her in time.

Content Warning: The movie is PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic elements, sexual content, and some drug references. What that gets you (in order) is physical violence with less detail and minimal blood, a look at the inside of European sex slavery/trade, scantily clad women but no graphic nudity, talk of drugs but no actual usage shown. I would expect a far more graphic unrated version on DVD.

I enjoyed it, but the reviewers have given it mixed ratings. I would say, if you think that this would be your kind of movie then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. If you’re not into this type of movie, the story won’t be compelling enough to get you there.

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