Cool News
TAKEN Charged Capone's Batteries and Makes Him Excited to See the Unrated Cut!!!
Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
For the better part of the last 365 days, the Luc Besson-written and -produced TAKEN has been opening country by country across the world until it finally hits screens in America this weekend. I'm guessing this film has been out on DVD already in some lands for quite some time, so those of you desperate enough to see this probably already have. But for the rest of us, the long wait it over--I've been seeing trailers for this film on and off for about six months now. And I'm happy to report the wait is mostly worth it. This is a quick-fix, shot of adrenaline in the brain work that doesn't offer much in the way of character development or plot, but has just enough of both to make this an above-average thriller and one of the better offerings I've seen from the Besson camp in recent years.
Perhaps an unlikely--although certainly not unwelcome--choice for our hero is Liam Neeson playing Bryan Mills, a seemingly mild-mannered father who has recently quit his government job and relocated to be closer to his 17-year-old daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace, once of "Lost"), who has lived with her mother (Famke Janssen) and exceedingly wealthy stepfather. Kim seems open to allowing her long-absent father back into her life, but a lot of time has passed when he hasn't been there for her because of his mysterious job, and Bryan is impatient to reconnect.
On the eve of a lunch Bryan and Kim area supposed to have together, Bryan is pulled by some old work buddies into a one-night, well-paid security job that involves playing babysitter to a young pop star, whose life Bryan saves from a stalker's knife. This is the first chance we get to see just how well trained this man is, and the veil is slowly lifted from his past.
At lunch, Kim proposes a long trip to Europe with her best friend that her father must sign off on in order for it to happen. At first, he's against the idea, but then he relents with certain conditions, all pertaining to her safety. If you can get past the fact that this daughter character is a shallow, selfish, world-class manipulator (not unlike her mother), you might actually care what happens to her as much as her father does. It's not an easy task.
Sure enough, the two girls have barely landed in Paris when they are both snatched from the house where they are staying. Kim has just enough time to call her father before she is taken, and in the brief conversation, she conveys enough information to set him down the path to finding her, while maiming or killing everyone involved in the abduction with an efficiency that is quite wonderful to behold.
Through the course of the film, we find out that Bryan was a "preventer" for the government--a preventer of bad things, according to him. And he possesses some very special skills that make him uniquely qualified to deal with just these circumstances (and many others, I'm guessing). Part Jack Bauer, part Jason Bourne, with a little bit of Daniel Craig's James Bond thrown in, Neeson actually does a particularly stellar job pulling this role off and making us sense this man's desperation not to lose his daughter that he's foolishly waited this long to get to know.
His search puts him into contact with some fairly seedy characters and situations (although TAKEN manages to barely maintain a PG-13 rating--I imagine there's an R-rated version just dying to get out). The guy has no qualms about torturing the guilty--or the innocent if he must. There's one sequence in particular that may not sit well with people, when he shoots the innocent wife of a former ally who is holding back vital information Bryan needs. It's a totally unexpected moment that will make some people scream and others smile. Bryan routinely promises a stay of execution in exchange for information, then doesn't live up to his side of the bargain. It's a great thing.
Director and Besson protégé Pierre Morel (DISTRICT 13, and whose next film with Besson, FROM PARIS WITH LOVE, already has a pretty great trailer) has a real gift for staging fight sequences in tight quarters and choreographing exciting foot chases. I realize this is fairly familiar territory in today's action landscape, but there's something extra brutal and painful in the way Morel handles it. The final act when we find out exactly why Kim has been kidnapped (not there's any big surprise) might be a bit of a letdown for some--it was for me--if only because it was a bit obvious, rushed, and doesn't play out in an inventive way.
For all of you proud Americans, beware of the not-so-subtle subtext here about American behavior. Kim and her friend are loud, annoying American teens who just want to come to Europe to party and hook up with French guys. Bryan represents the administration under which he served. Torture and cold-blooding killing come as naturally to him as brushing his teeth. It seems like a fairly clear-cut undercurrent throughout the film that's easy to push to the side, but impossible to ignore. Still, Neeson adds enough substance to his character that you can literally see him lift the material upon his shoulders and carry it to the finish line. TAKEN is far from a great film, but looking at the landscape of new releases right now, it's one of the better ones that isn't up for an award in a couple of weeks.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com
-
+ Expand All
-
Any pics?
-
After the fact!!! NICE!!! Seriously, though I need some caps from the film.
-
I can't wait to see this movie.
-
Haven't picked it up yet, but the trailer looked pretty sweet. As long as it doesn't suddenly go all TRANSPORTER on us at the end and go all ridiculous.
-
"he shoots the innocent wife of a former ally who is holding back vital information" Much like Jack Bauer shooting the wife of the Peter Weller character (JoBeth Williams) a season or two ago.
-
I'll catch this one on cheap night.
-
onto his shoulders.... i think it would look pretty retarded for liam to be running arond with his script attached to his shoulder
-
id let maggie grace pee on my face
-
you're an offensive dude.
-
It isn't meant to be The Godfather Part II, but it gives you exactly what the trailer says it will.
AND IT GETS IT RIGHT. Liam carries this fil from start to finish, and that's the main thing that makes 'Taken' Great!!!!!!! -
Not anymore. Thanks, pal!
-
Sounds a lot like 24's first season. Gawd, that was great. I still remember Jack ruthlessly hunting down the Drazens after he thought Kim was dead.
-
I know many people around the world (including myself) have already seen the film, but give the Americans a chance to experience the "unexpected" moments the same way you got to, eh? Without knowing what the fuck happens if they don't want to. Hence, a spoiler box - is that so hard? On another note, nice review - for those who have seen it/don't mind spoilers (and no, i'm not talking plot points).
-
It's an above average movie.. it's nothing to get your panties all up in a bunch.
The people on this site.. they see a classic every week. Let The Right One In is vastly over-rated here as well. The only thing I've agreed with this site's reviewers all year is about The Dark Knight. It's been a really shitty couple of last months..
If you speak a little french and love a good mindfuck, see 99 F with Jean Dujardin.. now that's a good movie. -
I bet Segal is pissed he didn't do this story. just. one. more. time.
-
Pull your head outta your ass and tag this thing because you've now ruined half of the fucking movie.
-
And far from a let down... you kept expecting some retarded contrived connection... like it was the step dad or the spy friends who were somehow behind this... nope... this was... say it with me... totally realistic... this is what the REAL bad people in the world are. And what she is taken for is the MOST horrible evil in this world. This was an action movie for adults. I'll be buying the Blue Ray on release day.
-
who the fuck are you kidding, all the kids can see whatever they fuckin want to when it hits DVD anyways. Why the fuck do Europeans get to see the less anal retentive versions of their films?
-
the last few months + have been absolutely shitacular. Guess we were spoiled by 2007.
-
Been a long way for the return of Darkman , but he is back. I do think Liam Neeson could be the meanest motherfucker if he ever decided to take that career path.
-
Jan 30, 2009 7:56:46 PM CST
Yeah, Jack Bauer...but without all his shouting and ham-fisted..
by bob cryptonight
...sloppiness. Neeson is much smoother than Keifer could ever be. But man, this film has some awesome violence!!
-
I wouldn't mind 'snatching' Maggie Grace either..
-
[SPOILERS!!!]............ Watching Liam go around killing half of Paris was quite an intense rush. However the only part that was weird was how everyone just understood his English... especially when he was pretending to be French. I want to believe that they just decided to do "The Hunt for Red October" instead of going through the need for Liam speaking French?? well... just without doing the language 'switch'. The ending was also a bit 'reality-free' as to how Liam could get away without legal action by the French after destroying half of Paris is beyond me. Maybe they just didn't need to show that?.............. [/end SPOILERS] That was my only nerdy critique. The rest was pretty brilliant.
-
Its such a mediocre action flick, but for some reason everyone loves it. I watched it a few months ago online after hearing how great it was and was incredibly disappointed...how come every Besson project now days has to be so damn cheesy? All my friends that have seen this love it as well, maybe im being to critical of it but I just thought it was lame as hell.
-
That's what I felt like I was watching for the last 15 minutes. And there isnt a person in all of london who can stand up to Neeson's character. He tears through swaths of nameless badguys all the way through.
Anyway, spot-on review. -
this should probably have one
-
the wife enjoyed it....
-
i want to see this too - but i wish neeson looked more the part - from the neck up - an older dad retired from dirty govt work - that hipster "tom cruise" hair on top of his old well worn face looks odd too me
-
not having seen this yet but based on the trailer im tempted to agree with you - my theory is, the reason people are into it is neeson - seeing him as an unstoppable tough guy - not expected but very inspired casting - its the exact reason i want to see it
-
The scene where Neeson shoots his buddy's WIFE when he doesn't help him out had the packed audience STUNNED! Great popcorn flick. (Though the first 20 minutes kinda overdid it when they tried to set him up as "The Father Who Was Never There For His Daughter".)
-
another example of how a movie for grown ups is watered down so kids can see it (lakeview terrace, die hard 4) - why would a 13 year old want to see this? - why should a 13 year old see this? - are there a lot of grade schooler neeson fans? - this is another in a long line of recent movies that suffers from being cut to fit a pg13 rating - its about a guy brutally killing people in an effort to save his daughter - what in that description says pg13? - this has got to stop - i miss the 70s and 80s when there was no shortage of r-rated movies for adults - i was going to see this, but im tempted to wait for the unrated dvd
-
and he kinda looks like Chuck Bronson, what with those squinty eyes of his and all...
-
Fast paced, energetic, and highly entertaining - the best action film to be released since Bourne 3, hands down. Liam Neeson makes it all work; he's brutal and magnificent.
And Capone? If I hadn't already seen it, I'd be really pissed off. Nice job on the major SPOILERS, ásshole. -
Finally.. there's been a real drought lately.
-
Watched this Overseas and will see it again her in the states....
this movie gave me shivers i n a few scenes a MUST SEE!!! -
SPOILERS
all I noticed was that they cut one of the prostitutes getting shot at the construction site, a few barely noticeable gunshot wounds, and primarily the part where he tortures the guy was cut so that he doesn't jam the metal rods into his legs and we don't see his face as much when he's electricuted.
All in all it wasn't much different than the uncut version. -
this movie was crazy violent! did they squeak by with the lack of swearing? that's amazing to me, because did i mention how VIOLENT this movie is? glad i saw it before reading this because hey INNOCENT WIFE SPOILER
-
Not trying to be a huge blockbuster w/ lots of effects and stunts. Just a tight, tense plot, just enough character work and to make it work...great action. Great movie. We need more like this. Bravo!
-
I'll be able to think to myself, "wow, what a totally unexpected moment that would have been if only Capone had used a SPOILER box!" Seriously, guys, do you get charged extra for those or something? Jeebus.
-
they reaaaally want the kiddies to see their masterful pro-torture propaganda.
-
..it's 'Commando' in Paris, without the chainmail wearing baddy. And as such, can be appreciated as is. An eighties actioneer, hiding behind todays polish. If you expect any more, you'll be dissapointed.
-
would inspire you to tell the whole plot as well as the 'expected' twists? What a fucking douche.....
-
If I hadn't seen this awesome litlle action movie already, I'd be getting tickets to BNAT next year just to whoop your spoilerific little ass.
-
http://tinyurl.com/dl2uw2
-
on the cut you were supposed to see that came out a year ago. I sure hate companies making pg-13 cuts just so they can do a publicity stunt with an "unrated" edition. It was rated. in many countries. unrated eidtions period are shit. if it mattered it'd be called a directors cut. and actually add more than a minute.
-
Squinty eyes... just add moustache, gain some weight, he'll look like Bronson in a few years. By the way, TAKEN rocks! I had so much fun watching it on the theater
-
SPOILER! SPOILER::
Not a bad film, but I lost it when the girl is reunited with her family at the airport and she jumps up and down, happy, and smiling.. What?
The girl was drugged to the gills, and tortured at some point.. She snaps back quick. Other than that, I love the fight scenes.
-
Dude, in the TV-safe version of Darkman, they dub over "take the fucking elephant" with "take the fuzzy elephant". It is absolutely HILARIOUS! It actually makes the line better...
-
I agree with all the people calling for a spoiler warning. But even with one I wonder what possesses a seasoned reviewer like Capone to go ahead a give a lame beat by beat synopsis of the film in the first place?! That's not a way to review a film and never has been! And then to give away a key moment for no good reason. Ridiculous! Check out Massawyrms review, he talks about the scene in question and what it meant to him without giving it away. I don't know, I'm going to think twice about reading Capone's reviews from now on.
-
Damn you Sam Raimi
-
Well the wife and I planned to see the tonight, now a key scene has been ruined, thanks you fucking idiot. Really, the quality of writing here was never that great, but now with Beaks kissing some rap idiot's ass, and with reviews like this - and there have been others - that gleefully discuss plot details that should not be discussed WITHOUT A FUCKING SPOILER BOX - geez...does anyone edit these reviews at all?
-
and read this review second. You definately spoiled hte biggest shock of the whole movie. But for people who haven't seen it yet- there are at least 4 more absolutely awesome/shocking moments that have not been spoiled.
-
A very decent movie, neeson is great in it even though the film is far from perfect.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts