Taken

DKelly · 01-30-2009, 11:01 PM

OK, how come there isn't a thread about this already?

Just got back from seeing it. It was absolutely terrific. Basically, the plot revolves around a former spy or something like that, played by Liam Neeson, who has to go overseas to rescue his daughter who has been kidnapped by a group of shady people. The film was co-written by Luc Besson, the co-writer of The Transporter and co-writer and director of The Professional.

Basically, IMO, in terms of action, plot, and just overall quality, this movie nearly eclipses most of if not all of the Bourne movies. Liam Neeson made for a terrific hero and was completely believable in his role(the rest of the cast was pretty decent as well). The action was intense, I didn't notice any significant plot holes on first viewing(then again, I didn't notice any in The Dark Knight either, so that's not saying much), and it was just an overall terrific thrill ride.

Anyone else see it yet?

**Sean** · 01-30-2009, 11:25 PM

I saw the trailer for the first time yesterday. I thought it looked awesome. After reading your blog I came to realize the reason it looked awesome was because Luc Besson wrote it. And since Liam Neeson is in it, it's not just one of Luc's fluffy paycheck films

conceived in fire · 01-31-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKelly

this movie nearly eclipses most of if not all of the Bourne movies.

Maybe Supremacy, but that's it.
The phrases "Move over Bourne" and "Best action movie since Bourne Ultimatum" had me expecting something significantly better. Still a great movie.

DKelly · 01-31-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conceived in fire

Maybe Supremacy, but that's it.
The phrases "Move over Bourne" and "Best action movie since Bourne Ultimatum" had me expecting something significantly better. Still a great movie.

Personally, I found it to be a lot more enjoyable as an action film than most of the Bourne films. And you can't deny that, as a leading man/hero, Liam Neeson at the very least gives Matt Damon a run for his money(I liked Liam slightly better in this though). The Bourne films definitely had car chases, but I think this movie at least equaled them in terms of hand-to-hand combat, plot(I thought this film was much better at pacing than some of the Bourne movies did as well as, dare I say, Casino Royale), and especially acting(Matt Damon doesn't even compare to Liam Neeson, IMO).

conceived in fire · 01-31-2009, 08:58 PM

The plot of B. Identity was loads better and more unique than this, and the action scenes don't even come close to Ultimatum. Hand-to-hand combat and cast ensemble were also significantly better.

Demon_Hunter · 02-01-2009, 07:20 PM

I saw this today.

Very good movie. Very well done.

Liam Neisons character Brian was focused, determined, and rutheless in the pursuit of his daughter.

Im not going to get into the Bourne Vs Taken debate, except to say that I saw similarities, and that I like both of them.

*SPOILERS*

I kinda hated that Amanda died. I had hoped that he would be able to find both of them alive, but I also knew that in reality, the movie was only going to have him find his daughter, and that Amanda would either be dead or just never found.

Also, I thought the torture scene with Marco was too short. The film makers had him work so very hard to find him, and the payoff was just a 5 minute clip of him fighting some thugs, and then torturing the guy, and that was it. I was kind of expecting more.

I was also kind of hoping that Jean Claud would help Brian out more. But I was disapointed when it turned out he was involved in the sex trade. I thought that move on the part of the film makers was kind of... predictable. I didnt really see it comming, so I guess it had the desired effect, but still. He is introduced as a bit of a shady character who isnt willing to get involved. It wasnt too big of a surprise to find out that he was involved in some way.

I liked alot of the lines used in this movie when Liam Neison was about to kill somebody. They were dramatic, but not corny.

DKelly · 02-01-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

*SPOILERS*

Also, I thought the torture scene with Marco was too short. The film makers had him work so very hard to find him, and the payoff was just a 5 minute clip of him fighting some thugs, and then torturing the guy, and that was it. I was kind of expecting more.

Actually, that scene was trimmed for its American release. Apparently, other versions show an extended version of the scene like we saw in the trailer where we see Brian stabbing the guy in the legs with a pair of iron spikes.

Nate · 02-02-2009, 08:10 AM

Forget Bourne. Since this is Besson... how does this compare to The Professional (i.e. the best "action" movie ever)?

MrCrabby · 02-05-2009, 10:21 AM

I don't know, Nate.....The Professional is easily one of my favorite movies ever (in any genre). Taken was absolutely incredible, one of the best action movies I've seen in a while (probably since the Bourne movies), but I really don't think anything compares to The Professional.

**Sean** · 02-08-2009, 09:14 PM

I wouldn't say it's better than The Professional, but I would say it's Besson's best since The Professional and probably the best "My daughter's been kidnapped and I'm going to kill you" movie...besides Commando of course.

**tenwatt** · 02-09-2009, 12:10 PM

Yeah...I can't say I liked it BETTER than the Bourne movies or The Professional but I really liked the movie and I thought Liam was PERFECT for the role. Very believable.