Blog Review: One Man Army in Pierre Morel's Taken

Director: Pierre Morel
Written by: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Produced by: Luc Besson, Didier Hoarau, Franck Lebreton, Michael Mandaville
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen

Combine fast paced action, real world issues, and the excellence that is Liam Neeson and what do you get? Pierre Morel's action thriller, Taken. The film never fails to keep its audience on the edge of their seats, but what it lacks in plot and believability prevents it from being truly great. Considering the film's genre, plot usually isn't really emphasized when it comes to skull smashing action. But in this case, the film's plot will leave even the biggest action junkie wanting more.
The story centers around Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former member of the CIA, and his struggle to reconnect with his seventeen year old daughter. His ex-wife tries to stop him every chance she gets, and with her perfect new husband around, his task seems harder as time goes on. After a few father-daughter scenes, Kim (Maggie Grace), asks her dad if she can take a trip to Paris. Bryan, being an ex-CIA operative, initially refuses to let her go on the basis that the world is too dangerous for her. A few tantrums and lies later, Bryan agrees to let her go.
The plot seems promising initially. A war-hardened man trying to bond with his now grown up daughter. It quickly falls into the realm of unbelievability when that same war-hardened man allows two seventeen year old girls to travel to Europe by themselves. They even lie about the specifics of their trip, but after a few harsh words from his ex-wife, he agrees again. If he truly is the paranoid government man he is made out to be, he would never allow such a trip. It also seems implausible that her mother would let her go, no matter how much of a new age parent she tries to be.
The conflict begins shortly after the girls arrive in Paris. While on the phone with her father, Kim and her friend are kidnapped from their apartment. Bryan quickly learns that the girls are going to be sold into a sex slavery ring, and if they are not found within 96 hours, he'll never see his daughter again. This begins his rampage of anger and violence. Taking out everyone in his path, he won't stop until his daughter is safe at home again.
The one thing the movie definitely gets right is the way it handles its central issue. Human trafficking is not just a major problem in the world of fiction, but in the real world as well. The fear of abduction poses a real threat in society. The movie portrays the issue as what it truly is, demeaning, disgusting, and horrible. The movie depicts the destroyed lives of these women, their forced addiction to drugs and prostitution. Neeson's sweet revenge on the men that run the ring provides a subtle gratification to the viewer.
While unrealistic at times, the action provided in the movie is indeed entertaining, if the viewer is able to suspend disbelief. A certain thrill is felt whenever Neeson destroys another bad guy. It also helps that your protagonist just reeks bad ass in his every action. Neeson portrays the character of protective father very well, keeping a good balance of anger and worry throughout. The biggest highlight of the movie is Bryan's unrelenting determination to find his daughter.
Can a middle aged man take out several men less than half his age all at one time? In most action movies, yes, but what the fight scenes lack in believeability is usually made up for in some other aspect of the film. This isn't quite the case when it comes to Taken. While the fight scenes are quite satisfying and enjoyable, the plot of the movie leaves much to be desired. It does have a redeeming quality in its acknowledgement of the all to real issue of human trafficking and the devastating effects it has.