taken review
Catharsis is defined as the purification of emotions through an extreme change in circumstance that results in renewal and restoration. Most films succeed or fail on the strength of their effectiveness in providing such moments. Spoiler alert for a 23-year-old film, but the moment Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills reclaims his teen daughter from those who would do her harm represents one of the most cathartic ever captured on the big screen. The brilliance of Taken is how its quite literally one-note story - something that would be the downfall of a film in most instances - represents its strength. The film is singularity of purpose personified. The “man possessed” storyline isn’t exactly novel and one can imagine John Wick taking place in the Taken universe, but this film feels different. The script is razor sharp and perfectly paced without a drop of fat or excess. The laser focus of Mills in surgically obliterating and exploiting all obstacles in his path is perfectly captured by the visceral direction and Neeson’s Batman-like ability to overcome with smarts or force. Bryan Mills doesn't behave like he know's he's in a movie. He takes the path of least resistance because that approach is most likely to result in the recovery of his daughter. Every second counts both in the context of the films story and how the film is edited. Is Taken the perfect action movie? It’s certainly in the conversation. The subsequent films would be increasingly ridiculous (sort of like John Wick) and Mills would grow comically untouchable/indestructible but Neeson kicked off a bankable, quality action franchise at the age of 56. He did so without the benefit of the Taken IP being a reboot or re-imagining of something else. The man is a national treasure. Taken is a sterling example of how the right casting, confident direction and a little style can overcome even the most pedestrian and rote of stories. I re-watched the film for this review and it hasn’t aged a day.
Taken turns a premise more suited for an episode of television into one of the most memorable and re- watchable action films of the past 3 decades. In that respect, it’s a modern classic. 10/10.