MovieChat Forums > Taken (2009) Discussion > incomprehensibly bad!!! (Spoilers)

incomprehensibly bad!!! (Spoilers)

posted 12 years ago by daffyj
12 replies | jump to latest

I finally got round to watching this the other night. 7.9 suggested it would be way above average and I had heard so many good things about it. Firstly, I just wanted to repeatedly punch the Maggie Grace character in the face. Never has a more annoying brat been portrayed on celluloid, so I was completely distanced from the drama as I cared not what happened to her! Secondly, Mr Neesen wanders around Paris asking questions, masquerading as a French policeman, without even the slightest hint of a French accent. Thirdly, where did the 96 hour deadline come from? Totally illogical, just a stupid gimick to increase tension. Fourthly, with the US having such problems with gun crime etc One would have thought a trip to Europe would have been a great deal safer. But oh no! Mr Neeson is quick to warn his empty-headed twat of a daughter how horrendously dangerous Europe, with all its cliched, stereotyped characters actually is. Alas, she is in Paris no longer than 5 seconds when she and her equally dimwitted friend are targetted.
Moreover, what was he doing scrambling around under the bed? Could he actually see the ridiculously contrived flashbacks taking place.
At the beginning of the film his banter with his mates seemed incredibly staged.
How on earth could he possibly get away with all that killing. Afterall, murder is murder, and especially ridiculous as he was not even a French citizen. If i went down to a brother and proceeded to kill all the men involved, regardless of how disgusting their business and morality, I would be banged up in jail! If I did it in another country, I certainly wouldn't be flying home anytime soon afterwards, no questions asked.
Completely one dimensional characters, completely ridiculous story, completely let down.

What happened to BuzzSaw?
He had to split!

[–] bing-57 12 years ago

I agree with your basic point that this was a rather unrealistic movie that doesn't really engage the viewer. But, your review is a bit harsh.

Traveling anywhere is dangerous, especially for a couple of teen-aged girls, one of whom isn't even an adult yet. The dangers of getting abducted by a white-slavery ring are very low, but they are not zero. There is more of a danger from getting raped or mugged by someone they meet at a nightclub or concert.

And, he got away with all the killing because he was never caught. After each killing, he ran away. Sure, the cops may have gotten some DNA that placed him at each scene, but they had no obvious reason to link this "businessman" to a multiple murder several miles away.

> Completely one dimensional characters, completely ridiculous story, completely let down.

Well, yeah. It was a big Hollywood movie, so what did you expect? Producers these days are more concerned with blood splatter, explosions, and fistfights. A decent plot is not needed.

But, patrons love it so Hollywood will continue to churn them out. Don't get all bent out of shape about it.

--
What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar (WWJDFAKB)?

[–] uruseiranma 12 years ago

You just need to realize that the people who love this movie don't care how lame and stupid the story is- all they love is Liam Neeson being a total Bad@$$, going around toruring/killing/maiming/electrocuting/and shooting a woman, all in the pursuit of getting his daughter back so she can become a singer.

"Thanks, guys." "So long, partner."

- Toy Story 3 (9/10)

[–] rmiikku 12 years ago

That is the most ridiculous thing about this movie. This movie is dad porn. I *beep* lost it when daughter said she is going to spend 90% of her time in museums when she gets to Paris.

[–] MariMcCabe 12 years ago

He's rescuing his daughter because she's his daughter. Her wanting to be a singer is irrelevant here.

[–] p7_man 11 years ago

Yes this movie was empty like a hollow canister..

[–] zanbuddha 11 years ago

I'd hate to hear your review of the Bourne Films in that case.

[–] maximusveritas 11 years ago

Agree completely. One of the most over-rated movies on here, probably because the revenge ultraviolence appeals to the immature teenage fanboys who frequent this site. Neeson's acting is the only thing that makes this any better than the standard Bronson flick. I gave it 4/10.

[–] frankzappayay 11 years ago

One of the worst films I have ever seen. The fact that of all the morons in this world, there is at least one person who made this thread, makes me feel less suicidal.

[–] TheCommenteer 11 years ago

You shouldn't.

[–] TheCommenteer 11 years ago

"I don't believe in coincidences, if a movie doesn't display the generic standard of what someone should expect in any circumstance I'll never be happy"

Did I summarise your point effectively? I can't think of anything else I missed. Oh right, I forgot:

"I don't like preppy teenagers"

[–] ChristianDestroy 11 years ago

Agree with everything you say. Gave it a 5. No way this is nearly an 8.

[–] denham 10 years ago

I just wanted to repeatedly punch the Maggie Grace character in the face. Never has a more annoying brat been portrayed on celluloid, so I was completely distanced from the drama as I cared not what happened to her!

Of course it is a bad (though kind of enjoyable) film. However, it would be a considerably less bad film if it was possible to care about Ryan's daughter - oops, Bryan's daughter.

I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken.