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Taken

Luc Besson’s writing output has been astounding of late, and the newest inclusion to that list is Taken, a revenge action flick that we’ve all seen before.

That’s not to say it isn’t entertaining. Liam Neeson is the main reason this film works. His sincerity and determination makes Bryan’s predicament slightly more believable. As an ex-government operative, his worldview is a little paranoid – basically it’s a dangerous place out there, and you shouldn’t really leave your house. After reluctantly letting his daughter go overseas with a friend, his fears are confirmed as she is kidnapped moments after setting foot in Paris. Thanks to some handy exposition provided by the great Leland Orser, he finds out he has just over 90 hours to find her before she’s lost forever.

Bryan seems to represent US foreign policy somewhat – he’s sure everyone’s out to get him, and is indiscriminate when it comes to killing everyone who gets in his way. Watching him beat the shit out of half of Paris is more than a little exciting, even if the occasional bystander becomes collateral damage. The film makes very little sense, and the clues he picks up each step of the way are almost as silly as those featured in Shoot ‘Em Up. The publicity material of course makes reference to The Bourne Identity, but this film isn’t anywhere nearly as intelligent as that vastly superior 2002 film.

This is really a one man piece, and the supporting characters have very little to do. Famke Janssen is actually pretty awful as Bryan’s ex-wife, Lenore, though the screenplay would have to shoulder most of that blame. Maggie Grace plays the kidnapped daughter, Kim, though is of course missing for most of the film, and Xander Berkeley (from ’24’) is pretty much part of the set rather than of any significance.

The film is well shot, though Mark may have a problem with some of the action scenes, and the production values only let us down towards the end. It’s directed with flair by the cinematographer of some of Besson’s previous projects (such as Unleashed and The Transporter). Despite all the wacky killing it never gets as stupid as Transporter 2, at least – Besson and Leterrier certainly dropped the ball on that one. It is great fun though.