Taken (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  Liam Neeson is a complete bad ass mfer in this move!! The worst part about this movie is the premise, as a father of two girls it scares the living daylights out of me. This and the movie Trade with Kevin Kline .. i need nothing else to scare the shit out of me.

• paul o

  
  A cult classic.

• Phil H

  
  Neeson fits really well into the highly trained all round badass which was surprising actually, he has always seemed the gentle giant :) This film is pretty good, nothing too far stretched or over complicated, just your basic kidnap and rescue flick which could of suited Willis,… More
  Neeson fits really well into the highly trained all round badass which was surprising actually, he has always seemed the gentle giant :) This film is pretty good, nothing too far stretched or over complicated, just your basic kidnap and rescue flick which could of suited Willis, Statham etc...right down to the ground but would of been obviously over the top, Neeson gives the film a serious believeable feel and tension that makes you want him to win and beat the crap outta those greasy Eastern Euro's haha Afew minor little things gripe or just make you think, Neeson does find the kidnappers pretty quick n easy and the public phone he uses with the mobile mem card is kinda funny, as if that would work like that in reality haha well it wouldn't in the UK that's for sure ;) nothing major. The action is the best of course...the gun fire, fighting and car chases are all very well done and look spot on. This film very much reminds me of 'Ronin' with its slick action sequences, makes the movie. Everything else is all good, the acting, locations and ending all work well making a good rounded action movie, never knew Neeson had it in him.

• Jens S

  
  A young girl is taken by a prostitute ring during her Paris vacation. The kidnapper's problem: her father is a former CIA special agent and knows what to do. You have to admire the film's tenacity with which it is following the dad's killing spree on his way to find his… More
  A young girl is taken by a prostitute ring during her Paris vacation. The kidnapper's problem: her father is a former CIA special agent and knows what to do. You have to admire the film's tenacity with which it is following the dad's killing spree on his way to find his daughter: it's fast, ruthless, violent and oddly exciting even if he doesn't even meet one opponent who could be a serious threat to the man. The film doesn't waste time with questions of morale or the problems that arise when people take law in their own hands. The reasons this is still deeply entertaining, even enthralling: Liam Neeson is a very convincing leading man, and the script sticks to his heels with one well-filmed action scene after the other. The audience never knows more than he does, so we follow our protagonist from one clue to the next, leaving behind a pile of dead people who deserved it and we actually catch ourselves applauding him, even if he takes it too far a couple of times. That's quite an achievement, considering the disgusted reacting a person like this would cause in real life. But that's the beauty of film, isn't it?

• Red L

  
  I have mixed feelings about this movie. Sure it exciting with Liam Neeson single-handedly taking on the whole French underworld killing people left and right. And this is all justified to the audience by the fact that Liam is allowed to do whatever it takes to rescue his daughter

• Jeff "

  
  Considering that Taken uses the same old clichéd revenge formula, I surprisingly enjoyed this film. The story is quite simple, but the film manages to keep the thrills moving along and the story itself is well paced. Taken isn't anything new or original, but it is a very… More
  Considering that Taken uses the same old clichéd revenge formula, I surprisingly enjoyed this film. The story is quite simple, but the film manages to keep the thrills moving along and the story itself is well paced. Taken isn't anything new or original, but it is a very entertaining film with a good cast. Liam Neeson delivers an awesome performance as a father whose daughter has been kidnapped, and he vows to get her back. The film tends to navigate similar territory as other revenge films, but the performances make this one worth seeing. The film isn't perfect, and at times it's predictable, but for what it is, it's a very entertaining film with plenty of thrills. Of course this isn't Neeson's best film, but for what it is, it's definitely a well plotted, acted and directed film. Neeson is terrific and he makes this film better than it is. As far as Revenge films go, Taken is a good film, but its problem, like I said, is that it's somewhat predictable due to the usual revenge film formula. But despite this, Taken is an entertaining film, and does have a few good thrills up its sleeve. The cast here make the film work well enough for this film to be an entertaining thrill ride despite its predictability. A good film with a decent story and good acting make this film a must see. Better than most Revenge films as there's 0plenty of thrills to exhilarate the viewer.

• Manu G

  
  His daughter was taken. He has 96 hours to get her back. Saw it again! Very good movie! Great balanced action/drama film. Liam Neeson acted great and the plot was top notch. Recommended for everyone who likes a good action plus drama flick. Seventeen year-old Kim is the pride and… More
  His daughter was taken. He has 96 hours to get her back. Saw it again! Very good movie! Great balanced action/drama film. Liam Neeson acted great and the plot was top notch. Recommended for everyone who likes a good action plus drama flick. Seventeen year-old Kim is the pride and joy of her father Bryan Mills. Bryan is a retired agent who left the Central Intelligence Agency to be near Kim in California. Kim lives with her mother Lenore and her wealthy stepfather Stuart. Kim manages to convince her reluctant father to allow her to travel to Paris with her friend Amanda. When the girls arrive in Paris they share a cab with a stranger named Peter, and Amanda lets it slip that they are alone in Paris. Using this information an Albanian gang of human traffickers kidnaps the girls. Kim barely has time to call her father and give him information. Her father gets to speak briefly to one of the kidnappers and he promises to kill the kidnappers if they do not let his daughter go free. The kidnapper wishes him "good luck," so Bryan Mills travels to Paris to search for his daughter and her friend.

• Brad W

  
  A intense and cool movie, and you will not forget these moments that the film works hard to detail and give us. The film is about Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a bodygaurd who sets out on a mission to save his daughter after she is taken. The plot was basically a revenge and rescue… More
  A intense and cool movie, and you will not forget these moments that the film works hard to detail and give us. The film is about Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a bodygaurd who sets out on a mission to save his daughter after she is taken. The plot was basically a revenge and rescue story, and it really excites you. Liam Neeson was awesome, a truly perfect choice. The action is intense, well made, and all around epic. Sure maybe they left out why would they go to all the trouble to save that one girl, but it didn't bother me much. Also it seemed a little cheesy at moments in the film, but only a minor problem. Me and my father watched this and I swear we loved every minute of it. Whoever didn't like this needs to watch this again, its so cool.

• Kristijonas F

  
  Liam Neeson enters. Liam Neeson kicks a shit-ton of ass. Liam Neeson departs. The movie doesn't waste its time with unnecessary sub-plots or lengthy explanations; it gets down and dirty immediately and doesn't cease until the curtains close - And that's why it works so… More
  Liam Neeson enters. Liam Neeson kicks a shit-ton of ass. Liam Neeson departs. The movie doesn't waste its time with unnecessary sub-plots or lengthy explanations; it gets down and dirty immediately and doesn't cease until the curtains close - And that's why it works so well. Also, Neeson brings a certain wounded screen-presence and refreshing charisma... all of which make this even more enjoyable.

• Veronique K

  
  this movie is entirely predictably stereotyped. but who says it ain't entertaining? liam neeson is THE MAN. and he pretty much behaves THE SAME in every of his action movie: the trusty-worthy, phallic, dashing alpha male with the backbone of decency, integrity, and reckless… More
  this movie is entirely predictably stereotyped. but who says it ain't entertaining? liam neeson is THE MAN. and he pretty much behaves THE SAME in every of his action movie: the trusty-worthy, phallic, dashing alpha male with the backbone of decency, integrity, and reckless courage. every idealistic characteristic you could envision on a father, a competent husband, patriotic spy. and he pulls it off convincingly. i suppose some people just have that kind of face to make you believe he's sincere and man of his words, man of actions! gee, i wish my dad is like that, never gives up on me, fucking shoot and slaughter everyone just to save me..in normal circumstance, dad would post wanted ad, then after a year, he would probably remarry and put everything behind..life goes on, still..besides, usually father evaluates son more. one dick wants another one to take his place.(phallic narcissism, just like in some countries, female infants are killed at birth for not being able to carry the family's last name) i must say, in middle age, liam neeson is still quite testicular even he's old now. but he still looks persuasive in those action scenes. i'm so glad he hasn't become a DILDO.(which is big but depressingly plastic) (ps) i guess it was such a "fine" choice to watch a movie about woman being kidnapped and about to be sold as prostitute in european city before i actually have to make a trip there. good warning. discreet and discipline, you groaning-fucking-bitch.

• Drake T

  
  I love the larger-than-life BAMF dad approach. Though, the plot is largely an excuse to have Neeson run around and kick people's asses. Extremely brutal, relatively realistic and gritty nonetheless, it's a style of action we rarely see among previous Hollywood takes.… More
  I love the larger-than-life BAMF dad approach. Though, the plot is largely an excuse to have Neeson run around and kick people's asses. Extremely brutal, relatively realistic and gritty nonetheless, it's a style of action we rarely see among previous Hollywood takes. It's this particular approach that really brings "Taken" forward into a brighter light. Like comparing Pierce Bosnan Bond with Daniel Craig Bond. This is Daniel Craig here to get his daughter back. Also, really hard to deny that Neeson can act during the emotional bits. With that I bump this up half a star for an amazing leading man.

• Lady D

  
  A stylish and intelligent Action Thriller, with a surprisingly slick performance from Liam Neeson. Impressive stunts and a thrill ride from start to finish, this is one Dad you don't want to get on the wrong side of!

• Bethany M

  
  I can understand were people are coming from when they call this 'cheesy and unrealistic' This is true, but it's also enthralling and has you on the edge of your seat. Makes your heart pound and really reach out to the characters emotions. Although, Liam Neeson's… More
  I can understand were people are coming from when they call this 'cheesy and unrealistic' This is true, but it's also enthralling and has you on the edge of your seat. Makes your heart pound and really reach out to the characters emotions. Although, Liam Neeson's part of super dad was quite unrealistic - it doesn't help but make you believe that your dad could be as brave as he is. Which makes the film even more family orientated and even though you know how the ending is going to pan out, you can't help but bite your nails throughout. Great film and I'd reccomend it. Definite must watch!

• Summer W

  
  Fun fluff. Liam Neeson does puppy eyes and badass simultaneously almost as well as Harrison Ford. If you don't focus on how ridiculous it is, you'll probably really enjoy it.

• Kase V

  
  A movie you know would be so much better if it was in fact, rated R. Oh well. You can still say hello to America's new coolest action hero, Liam Neeson. He kicks so much ass in the movie. But his daughter is really annoying. That's okay. Great movie.

• Stephen M

  
  When his daughter is abducted by a gang of Albanian sex traffickers while holidaying in Europe, Liam Neeson's ex-CIA agent swears vengeance and sets off in pursuit. Much as I was looking forward to watching a respected actor ethnically cleansing his way through the Parisian… More
  When his daughter is abducted by a gang of Albanian sex traffickers while holidaying in Europe, Liam Neeson's ex-CIA agent swears vengeance and sets off in pursuit. Much as I was looking forward to watching a respected actor ethnically cleansing his way through the Parisian underworld, Neeson's character is so absurdly overprotective of his gormless daughter in the early scenes, I almost didn't want the self-righteous killjoy to have the satisfaction of seeing his worst fears realised when the silly fool got herself kidnapped. As you might expect of an English language movie made by Frenchmen, <i>Taken</i> has more than its fair share of terrible dialogue, but some of the situations are just as laughable. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Neeson informs his ex-wife of their daughter's abduction, and the cheeky sod has the audacity to ask his ex's new husband whether he has any business enemies who might be responsible - this from a man who has beaten, tortured and killed his way around the globe! Also fun is the scene where Neeson bluffs his way into the sex traffickers' headquarters in the guise of a crooked cop renegotiating a bribe, and nobody bothers to ask why this French policeman has a (wobbly) American accent. In one of cinema's more toe-curling declarations of vengeful intent, Neeson warns the bad guys that he has a "very particular set of skills... that make me a nightmare for people like you" - what he doesn't tell them is that he also a lucky bastard! Not only does everybody he speaks to seem to have just the right answers to his questions, most of these people are generous enough to spill the beans without even needing to be tortured first! You never saw an investigation proceed so smoothly, which of course allows the movie to lurch from set piece to set piece with the bare minimum of pesky character development in between.

• Daniel P

  
  I'm not sure I can defend it, but I loved this film. Completely implausible, but aside from a few dilaogue stumbles, the script crackles, and Liam Neeson carries this film with his portrayal of a relentless, singularly-focussed father. It's a bit sentimental, and it's… More
  I'm not sure I can defend it, but I loved this film. Completely implausible, but aside from a few dilaogue stumbles, the script crackles, and Liam Neeson carries this film with his portrayal of a relentless, singularly-focussed father. It's a bit sentimental, and it's not without it's clichés, but I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Thrilling, enjoyable flick - don't forget the popcorn!

• Mark W

  
  What with the recent re-vamp of "The A-Team" and this successful actioner, it seems that Liam Neeson has now been re-invented as something of an aging action hero and surprisingly, it works. Bryan Mills (Neeson) is a retired government agent, struggling to get back into the… More
  What with the recent re-vamp of "The A-Team" and this successful actioner, it seems that Liam Neeson has now been re-invented as something of an aging action hero and surprisingly, it works. Bryan Mills (Neeson) is a retired government agent, struggling to get back into the life of his teenage daughter (Maggie Grace). But after she's kidnapped while holidaying in Paris, Bryan has less than four days to track her down before she disappears into the sex slave trade and in the process of his search, he dishes out some tough justice. This was supposedly expected to be a straight to DVD deal but turned out to be an unexpected hit for Neeson and co. It was that well recieved that a sequel is in now in the making. You can't go too far wrong either, when imaginative French director Luc Besson has written the story. Despite getting a bit rediculous toward the end, this is still a taut little thriller. Full of stereotypical bad guys, who are no more than fodder for Neeson's knuckle sandwiches, but it still works, as long as you dont expect too much and just sit back and enjoy him bashing a few heads and crunching some bones. Neeson also gets to spout some tough Eastwood-esque lines..."I push one button and 38 agents are here before you have time to scratch your worthless balls." He's a brutal and unrelenting character but lots of fun to watch. It is what it is but for it sheer pace alone, it's a cut above most of the genre.

• Marc L

  
  My God, was this movie a thrill ride. Taken ranks right up there with the Bourne trilogy as one of the best spy movies of all time. It looks like something out of a Robert Ludlum novel! The acting was easily the best part. Looking at you Liam Neeson. Neeson plays a very… More
  My God, was this movie a thrill ride. Taken ranks right up there with the Bourne trilogy as one of the best spy movies of all time. It looks like something out of a Robert Ludlum novel! The acting was easily the best part. Looking at you Liam Neeson. Neeson plays a very interesting character. Normally, he is a likeable simpleton, who is trying to make the ones he loves happy, particulary his daughter, a teenage girl, (Who also did a nice job acting in my opinion) However, when his daughter is kidnapped, he turns into a brutal anti hero, who strongly believes in a "kill or be killed" policy when finding his daughter The fight scenes were impressive too. I wouldn't compare them to anything out of the Bourne series, but they were still very impressive. In movies, the script usually doesn't get a lot of attention, but I couldn't help but loving the script for this movie. It's one of the film's main strong points. My favorite quote in the movie might be the call he makes to his daughters kidnappers. It has a lot of menace, and it feels like something out of a Punsiher movie. Speaking of Punisher, this definately isn;t a kids movie. As much as I dislike Common Sense reviews, I do have to let some parents now that this is a pretty mature movie. You will see scenes involving prostitutes and sex slaves, and more scenes involving brutal murders and tortures. The point I am trying to make is this movie is way better than the 57% it get's on Rotten Tomatoes. It probably makes my top 25 for favorite movies ever. Well done Robert Madk Kamen, well done.

• E.J. B

  
  I am rating this movie waaay higher than I should. Why am I doing this? Because I used to think only Arnold Schwarzenneger could single handedly wipe out an entire crime rig without the help of any army or police. Well, apparently Oskar Schindler, no wait, sorry, Liam Neeson can do… More
  I am rating this movie waaay higher than I should. Why am I doing this? Because I used to think only Arnold Schwarzenneger could single handedly wipe out an entire crime rig without the help of any army or police. Well, apparently Oskar Schindler, no wait, sorry, Liam Neeson can do the same, and he's half Arnold's size! Yes, the story is preposterous. Yes, the script is written by Luc Besson, who is known for plot holes big enough to drive a jet liner through. And yes, the whole concept exists simply to showcase brutal fight scenes. I ain't complaining. If Neeson does more movies like this (and he's started to with the release of Unknown this year), I forsee a Liam Neeson action marathon happening a few more years down the road. No, Star Wars Episode 1 will not be included in said marathon.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings