Taken

As long as we recognize Lucas is washed up and most TV sucks, we'll all get along fine.
Post Reply
Leisher
Site Admin
Posts: 71832
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 9:17 pm
Contact:

Post by Leisher »

Liam Neeson is a retired bad ass (they never say who he worked for) whose daughter gets kidnapped and he goes hunting for those responsible.

This is a lot like Commando only without the humor. Arnold kicked ass in that movie, but he did so with one liners and guns. Here, Liam is all business as he executes people with no mercy.

Oddly, you don't feel the anger coming from Liam that you did from Denzel Washington in a similar movie Man on Fire. But it makes sense because while Denzel's character there was a bad ass, there's something "calmer" about Liam and it works to make him seem even more dangerous.

This movie starts off a bit slow as we learn who the players are, and then really takes off once the kidnapping occurs. From that point forward, there are very few breathers as the movie progresses at a rapid pace. I was really impressed that the creative people behind the film skipped the typical "by the numbers" formula for films like this and stuck to a straight forward story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film. Maybe it's because I'm a parent, but I can't imagine any action fan not liking the ass whipping that Liam brings down upon the bad guys.

8 out of 10.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Vince
Posts: 8625
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 10:00 pm
Location: In bed with your mom

Post by Vince »

It's not because you're a parent (I don't think). I liked it too.

We were talking at work about what agency he'd have worked for. CIA really aren't that into the "kill skill" that Liam showed. We decided something like Delta Force or something along those lines.
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 56735
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Post by GORDON »

I figured independent contractors, just how they were in the present day.

Liam Neeson's best roll since Darkman.

Seriously.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
thibodeaux
Posts: 8121
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 7:32 pm

Post by thibodeaux »

I liked it.
Leisher
Site Admin
Posts: 71832
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 9:17 pm
Contact:

Post by Leisher »

Just watched it again. Simply a fantastic film.

I think he was simply a spy. He was well trained in armed and unarmed combat, knew criminal behavior, worked for the government, worked overseas, etc. Also, his friends became bodyguards, and his lone overseas contact shown continued working for the government.

Plus, did you see his kit that he busted out when she was taken on the phone?

Not a diplomat spy, but a wet works kind of guy.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 56735
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Post by GORDON »

I don't know... I think they should have tried more diplomacy. Violence never solves anything. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Leisher
Site Admin
Posts: 71832
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 9:17 pm
Contact:

Post by Leisher »

<object width="560" height="315"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
TheCatt
Site Admin
Posts: 58765
Joined: Thu May 20, 2004 11:15 pm
Location: Cary, NC

Post by TheCatt »

Not as good as I was hoping, I actually liked the Keanu Reeves one better.

The daughter (and her acting) just made me want to kill her.
It's not me, it's someone else.
Post Reply