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Taken

Play trailer 1:51 Poster for Taken PG-13 Released Jan 30, 2009 1h 31m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
A former government operative comes out of retirement and uses all his extensive training to rescue his estranged daughter from a slave trade operation.
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Taken

Taken

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Critics Consensus

Taken is undeniably fun with slick action, but is largely a brainless exercise.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Doting dads are doting dads, I guess, and there is just no stopping him, which is a shame, as what follows is a big sorry mess of the most clichéed, improbable and xenophobic kind. Aug 23, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online The movie was awesome and definitely a must see. Rated: B Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review [Neeson's] presence deepens the role compared to your standard invincible action hero, delivering a character we want to see succeed. Rated: 3/4 Dec 15, 2023 Full Review Sean Chandler Sean Chandler Talks About A perfectly effective escapist fantasy for dads. It may stick to the formula, but with Liam Neeson in the lead it absolutely delivers what the target audience desires. Oct 13, 2023 Full Review Sean Collier Box Office Prophets He shows up, he punches, he succeeds, he goes home. It works. Rated: 7/10 Jan 25, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Breno G Special Effects: 0,5/Sound Effects: 0,5/Acting: 0,5/Story: 1,0 Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/25/25 Full Review Audience Member One of my favorite movies, I've seen it about ten times. The plot is definitely the most important part because the movie doesn't excel in photography or music that are the normal ones of a classic thriller, what I like is that it deals with very strong themes and situations that still exist today and shows them in a raw and "severe" way, all surrounded by the right amount of action that is not excessive but impactful, I would call it a precursor to John Wick. Liam Neeson's character in this movie still remains one of the most badass in the history of cinema in my opinion, the coldness with which he acts in certain situations, his fighting ability and his intelligence in looking for his kidnapped daughter make this movie a real pearl. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Frans B Entertaining, to the point and fast moving action. Great character portrayal by all cast members. Enjoyed it a lot Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Blu B An Action Thriller Classic. Great acting all around with Nesson being the standout with a really badass performance. Everyone else does a solid job for the most part especially with the physical acting. the only weak parts are there isn't that much depth to any of the characters and the villians aren't bad but not particulary memorable. There's too many of them involved and none of the really stand out that much. The music is good but it's not used much in the first half and it's not that catchy on it's own. Just standard action fare stuff that's used well. Everything else is really good. Direction is pretty solid, special effects are really good with pretty much nonstop practical effects, and the setting is memorable. The fight scenes are easily the highlight and really good with a great mixture of ahnd to hand and gun battles. The fast editing during those scenes evokes huge influence from the Bourne movies. The world of human trafficking is memorable and disturbing. This also does a great job setting everything very simple, fast, and in a orderly manner right out of the gate. It ramps up huge and really never lets up the entire way. It flies through the less than 90 minute runtime. The problems really are this is it goes exactly how you would expect it too. No suprises really, not much character depth, and the human trafficking awareness is told well but it's a bit on the nose to keep it from being more subtle or jusitifed with more complex characters. It's bare bones stuff in a sense which explains the very short runtime. Despite that it's really good still and shows you don't have to reinvent the wheel to make a classic. Anyone who is a fan of action, thrillers, any actors in this, the director, or wants a glimpse inside human trafficking should give this a watch. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Ralph R Taken is one of those action thrillers that doesn’t waste time getting to the point. The plot is straightforward but gripping, setting up just enough character development before throwing you into a tense, fast-paced ride. It plays on a real-world issue in a way that feels urgent, making you root for the protagonist as he fights against an unrelenting system. While the villains aren’t particularly deep, the generalization works in the movie’s favor, highlighting the unsettling reality of indifference toward human trafficking. The story keeps things simple but effective, balancing emotional stakes with action that never slows down. The direction by Pierre Morel is sharp and efficient, keeping the pacing tight and the tension high. The cinematography leans into a gritty, realistic style that enhances the intensity, with some great handheld shots that put you right in the middle of the action. Fight sequences are well-executed, focusing on clean, brutal choreography instead of flashy, over-the-top stunts. It feels raw and believable, making every punch and takedown hit harder. The script, while not overly complex, delivers exactly what’s needed, with dialogue that is to the point and a few memorable lines that have stuck with audiences for years. Liam Neeson carries the film effortlessly, giving a performance that is both emotionally grounded and intimidating. He turns what could have been a standard action role into something much more compelling, making you feel every ounce of desperation and determination in his character. The supporting cast does their job well, though some characters don’t get much depth, which is expected given the movie’s runtime. The score complements the film’s tone, keeping the tension high and the momentum going without being distracting. Overall, Taken is a lean, intense action thriller that doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is, and that’s exactly why it works so well. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Dave B Jason Borne and Comando mashup. Worth watching, once, when nothing more compelling is readily available to watch. The Jimmy Kimmel spoof is more fun. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Taken

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Movie Info

Synopsis A former government operative comes out of retirement and uses all his extensive training to rescue his estranged daughter from a slave trade operation.
Director
Pierre Morel
Producer
Luc Besson
Screenwriter
Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox, Seaside Film Taken, EuropaCorp, Grive Productions, M6 Films Production, All Pictures Media
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence|Disturbing Thematic Material|Language|Sexual Content|Some Drug References)
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 30, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 17, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$145.0M
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, DTS
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