Taken is the film that brought Liam Neeson back into the scene as an action star. He plays former CIA agent Bryan Mills who retired in order to make up for lost time with his daughter, now 17. It seems that he may be too late as his daughter's stepfather's wealth has won her attention and heart. This relationship, somewhat sad, sets up Bryan's motivation later on. The film doesn't paint the daughter in a good light since she seemed very spoiled, and so when she eventually goes to Paris with another friend, then gets kidnapped, you don't feel much sympathy. Once the kidnapping happens, the tracking and chase sequences begins. It starts off with Bryan's famous lines to the kidnappers of pursuing them, finding them and then killing them. While at times the plot has to suspend your belief, it carries its momentum well. It doesn't require much thinking from the viewer's part but that is Taken's strength, you're along for the ride and see justice gets served. Bryan is effectively invincible and seeing him triumph over the villains is satisfying. Even more satisfying is when he slowly tracks down each major villain and destroys them in various ways, feel like karma being served. Taken has many iconic moments and it doesn't pad things out making is a great watch.
