Taken: A Scandinavian Swoon or Just Another Action Flick?

Okay, where do I even start with Taken? This film is like a shot of espresso—intense, leaving you bit wired, maybe even a bit shaky. Directed by Pierre Morel and starring our favorite gruff Irishman, Liam Neeson, there’s a lot of ass-kicking sausage here to chew over. It’s produced by Luc Besson too, the guy who brought us Léon (or “Den Professionelle” as we know it)—so there’s some solid pedigree behind the project.

Picture this: a father with a past more mysterious than that red Dalahäst in your living room decides to unleash the beast when his daughter, played by Maggie Grace, is kidnapped in Paris. Och hej du, the man really knows how to pull off an epic monologue about “a particular set of skills.” I can’t help but giggle every time I hear it, thinking about how Dad used to say he’d track me down if I stayed out too late with friends. Kinda shows where we get our dramatic streak, doesn’t it?

For the visuals, think Stockholm’s electrifying vibe but turned into a gritty Parisian underworld. The scenes reel you in with suspense that could even have the most seasoned film critics clenching their fists. It’s raw, a bit dirty, and too real.

But, honestly, maybe I expected too much! The plot is as straightforward as a Mölnlycke roundabout, with certain clichés clinging on like winter that just won’t leave. I mean, do all kidnappers need to have Eastern European accents? It’s like calling all Swedes ABBA musicians, come on!

Snacking on some knäckebröd with some brie as the final credits rolled, I couldn’t help wondering if this film is a misunderstood classic or just another predictable action fest. Then again, who am I kidding? With Neeson, maybe I just want to believe in those particular skills more than anything else.

Check the trailer below