Taken

Genre: Mystery / Action
Watched With: Nobody @ Cathay Cineleisure (15/04)
Snacks: Kacang Putih & Coke

NOW we're talking.

Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is a badass.
Formerly part of an elite squad of specialists for the CIA, Bryan decided to 'retire' to try and build up a relationship with his teenage daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) whom he did not get to see much while she was growing up because of work.

His ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) is now married to rich business Stuart (Xander Berkeley) who has arranged for Kim and her friend Amanda (Katie Cassidy) to go to Europe but Bryan objects because he does not feel comfortable having the 2 teenage girls alone in Europe.

But they go anyways and disaster strikes.
Kim and Amanda are kidnapped by a group of Albanian gangsters in Paris who are part of a cartel who traffic teenage girls as prostitutes.
Kim manages to get the message to her dad just before she is abducted and Bryan makes a promise to her abductor over the phone that he "is going to find him and kill him".
And so Bryan comes to Paris.

Using his network of former working allies like French detective Jean-Claude (Olivier Rabourdin) but in the end has to resort to solo vigilante work to try and rescue his daughter and bring her to safety.

You guys remember a few years back there was a movie called 'Man On Fire' where the guy goes on an all-out revenge mission to rescue a kid?
Well that's THIS movie but with less talking. Which is very welcome.

This movie was very basic.
Introduce the characters. Define their personalities. Set the plot. Sit back and watch the action. Basic but very effective.

Liam Neeson was solid as this no-nonsense tough guy actually and this was quite a gripping and suspenseful movie.
Even though you know what the ending is - you'll be more than happy to sit out the ride to find out exactly how it gets to the ending point.
You'll find yourself rooting for the hero to kick some arse. Trust me.

Not a bad choice for a weekend flick if you're looking for one.

Final Verdict: