Taken (2008)
Director: Pierre Morel
Screenplay: Luc Besson, Robert Kamen
Running Time: 94 minutes
What starts out as a good premise soon turns into a messy, clichéd, watch-by-numbers flick that could have been a lot better.
Liam Neeson stars as Bryan Mills, a recently retired CIA operative who leaves the agency so he can spend more time with his daughter, who lives with her mother and super-rich step father.
Where this movie falls over is the predictability of it all, and on too many occasions it is hard to suspend disbelief. Every scene can be pre-empted by anybody with a basic knowledge of film. More is expected from writers Luc Besson and Robert Kamen, with lead Neeson only being able to do so much with what he has.
If you don't like to think much, and love to see the good guys kick butt, then this movie is for you. If you are into something more cerebral, then avoid like the plague.
2.5 stars out of 5
Competition Queen