Iffy for 15+
Violent, disturbing rescue/revenge thriller isn't for kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this "hard PG-13" thriller seems just a drop of blood or two away from an R rating. Not only is there a great deal of violence, but a disturbing subplot centers on young women being kidnapped into the seedy world of sex slavery. The themes of revenge, vigilantism, sex and drug trafficking, and international political corruption are too intense for young audiences. Language is moderate ("s--t," "a--hole"), but drug use is widespread (though not a lot of actual use is shown on camera), and characters also drink and smoke.
- Families can talk about what makes this PG-13-rated movie different from R-rated films.
- Is the violence less graphic or upsetting? Why or why not? What impact does seeing this kind of violence have on teens?
- Families can also discuss the ethical and moral lines that characterscross in the movie. Are Bryan's actions justified because he finds hisdaughter? Are
- Kim and her friend partially to blame for their perilousdilemma? What mistakes did they make?
- How are Americans portrayed inthe film (versus Europeans)?
The good stuff
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Messages: A father becomes a vigilante to save his endangered daughter. A young woman and her friend disregard common sense in search of a good time abroad. Vigilantism and revenge seem justified.
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Role models: Brian's only redeeming quality is his absolute love for his daughter.This positive aspect of his character is ultimately diluted by the violent means he takes to save her.
What to watch for
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Violence: Although there's little blood, the violence is relentless for the majority of the movie, and there's a high body count overall. People are tortured, killed, and attacked with guns, knives, explosives, cars, and other weapons (belts, fire extinguishers, you name it). A character is willing to shoot innocent people if it will extract valuable information.
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Sex: Young women are depicted as pawns in a sex trafficking ring. Most are forced to be prostitutes, and some are sold to the highest bidders like slaves. Many women are half dressed but not nude. Shirtless men are shown going into rooms where drugged women are on the bed.
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Language: Language includes words like "a--hole," "s--t," "dick," "goddamn," "hell," and "ass."
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Consumerism: Featured brands include Audi, Nissan, Sony, Mercedes Benz, and Kodak.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Adults drink at a cocktail party; some characters smoke; young women are high so that they won't resist being sex slaves/prostitutes.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Liam deserved this one! by mister spock
Liam deserved this Movie! Great Actor but never really got the right parts for the fan base that he deserves. Hope his agent realizes this!
5
LOVED IT! by KevinS77
Ok, I hate most movies...
Ironman was ok,batman was ok,Bourne series sucks...
Honestly, I think the last really great movie I saw was 300,
But this movie ROCKS!!!!
Here is what I look for
1)No plot holes: this movie is straight forward, easy to follow.
2)Camera Control: The bourne series is full of shaky camera syndrome making it impossible to see a single punch, but not this movie. In Taken the camera is always calm and focused so when he fights someone you clearly see every move he makes.
3) Believability: some movies have scenes that defy the laws of physics and common since, but this movie everything is completely believable.
4) Action/suspence vs. Gore: Back in the day action and suspense were used , but more movies today seem to replace that with gore. This move has very little blood, no gore scene. But every fight scene is brutal and enjoyable. Gore is no substitute , and it was refreshing to see a movie return to the way movies are supposed to be made.
5
Compelling.. by Kyle_Adkins
This story is absolutely amazing, in my honest opinion. Not your typical crap-infested story line that drones out over time and becomes a series of repetitive, lame, and frankly boring movie.
This movie centers around a father, Bryan Mills (Played by Liam Neeson), who is a retired government agent, and is employed for his services in what he describes as a "Preventer". His modesty alone lets you know off the bat this man means business. Bryan has a daughter, who wishes to take a trip to Europe with her friend, but things take a turn for the worse when the two girls are kidnapped and forced into a prostitution ring.
At this point in time, Bryan finds himself faced with a difficult challenge: Find his daughter's kidnappers within a 96 hour time frame, or lose her forever.
I won't spoil beyond this point, however, please see this movie. Do it for your children. Do it for your country. Do it for.. Justice.
4
All Liam Neeson by Daydream
I wasnt planning on seeing this movie, but it was the only one playing that looked somewhat interesting. Taken is fast paced with a lot of action. Many of the scenes had me on the edge of my seat and had the sellout audience "ooohing" and "ahhhing". If you like guns, knives, car chases, dirty cops and a feel of the world and its reality this ones for you. While I dont think this film deserved applause at its end, some of the audience thought otherwise. I was surprised and you would be too.
5
A BETTER JASON B.OURNE FIM by rc95611n
THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR.... ACTION PACKED WITH A GREAT STORY... MUST GO AND SEE IT... DONT WANT TO GIVE ANYTHING AWAY BUT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, FIND ME AND KICK ME STRAIGHT IN THE BALLS
4
Action-packed by photography4lif3
Taken was a great film. I recommend it for sure. I didn't have any problems with the movie other than the fact that the daughter who was supposed to be seventeen looked at least twenty! And her character was a spoiled brat. I couldn't really deeply enjoy the movie because the audience would laugh at every action scene. The man next to me would spazz-out every singly time something intense happened and he would hoot and holler the occasional "Oh man, awesome!".
But maybe you will get lucky and see it where the audience doesn't act like a bunch of immature middle-schoolers.
5
GO SEE TAKEN!! by angiegirl8709
By far one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. My boyfriend and I go see almost every movie that comes out, and lately there have been alot of let downs. But this movie was absolutely amazing. It's something that can actually happen in real life.. so it gets you thinking and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Pretty much a movie that ANYONE can enjoy.
I'd definetely recommend making this your #1 choice as a much see!!
4
Pretty Great by corbinleach
Taken, I think, was very different from what I had expected.
the trailer made it very unclear of what I would be watching;
but this movie was in NO way disappointing.
it was exhilarating and wonderful.
it has a definite eye-candy aspect to it,
lots of shooting, punching, and those little sound effects that make being hit with something sound a hundred times worse than it actually was.
acting was a little unrealistic at times, but I don't think good dialogue is what people were looking for in this movie.
it has a mystery feel, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
decent ending, and a decent movie.
you should go.
5
THE Greatest Movie by AmandaMichelle
I saw this movie last weekend with my best friend and her family. The beginning of the movie was kind of slow, but your getting to know the characters. The movie kept my attention through the whole thing, there was not one part when i wanted to turn away. The story line was great and the situations in the movie are rare, but they CAn happen. This was the best movie i have seen in my life. Also, it was the only movie that the audience clapped at the end. I suggest that you go see it,
There are some parts in the movie that aren't suittable for kids, but use your own judgment.
5
DEEEEE-AAAAAAAMMMM!!! by tplwk
The ads never gave up half of the hooks in this movie. I came to watch and was sucked in deep before I knew what had happened. I have told my militant amazonian co-workers that they should not watch this unless they are well-done on lithium or fentanil.
You come away feeling like you have just watched the finest expression of good triumphing over evil.
Watch this movie. Watch this movie. Watch this movie.
Nuff sed?