Taken (2008)
Action, Thriller |
Taken is a English-language French action-thriller film written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, and directed by Pierre Morel. It stars Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Katie Cassidy, Leland Orser, and Holly Valance. Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative who sets about tracking down his teenage daughter Kim and her best friend Amanda after the two girls are kidnapped by Albanian human traffickers while traveling in France during a vacation.
Taken was released in France on 27 February 2008 by EuropaCorp, and later in the United States on 30 January 2009 by 20th Century Fox. The movie grossed more than $226 million. Despite mixed reviews from critics, numerous media outlets cited the film as a turning point in Neeson’s career that redefined and transformed him to an action film star.
Retired field agent Bryan Mills attempts to build a closer relationship with his 17-year-old daughter, Kim, who lives with her mother, his ex-wife, Lenore, and her wealthy stepfather, Stuart. While overseeing security at a concert for pop star Sheerah, Bryan saves her from a knife-wielding attacker. Out of gratitude, Sheerah offers to have Kim assessed as a singer. Before Bryan can tell her about the offer, Kim asks him for permission to travel to Paris with her best friend, Amanda. He initially refuses, concerned about her safety, but eventually gives in. At the airport, Bryan learns that Kim lied; the girls are actually planning to follow U2 during their European tour.
Upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Kim and Amanda meet Peter, a young Frenchman who offers to share a taxi. Kim and Amanda go to Amanda’s cousins’ apartment, where Kim finds out that the cousins are in Spain. After answering a call from Bryan, Kim sees men enter the apartment and abduct Amanda. Kim hides.
Director: Pierre Morel
Writers: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Stars: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Katie Cassidy, Leland Orser, Holly Valance, Jon Gries
►Cast:
| Liam Neeson | … | Bryan Mills |
| Maggie Grace | … | Kim |
| Leland Orser | … | Sam |
| Jon Gries | … | Casey |
| David Warshofsky | … | Bernie |
| Holly Valance | … | Sheerah |
| Katie Cassidy | … | Amanda |
| Xander Berkeley | … | Stuart |
| Olivier Rabourdin | … | Jean-Claude |
| Gérard Watkins | … | St-Clair |
| Famke Janssen | … | Lenore |
| Marc Amyot | … | Pharmacist |
| Arben Bajraktaraj | … | Marko |
| Radivoje Bukvic | … | Anton (as Rasha Bukvic) |
| Mathieu Busson | … | Undercover Agent |
| Michel Flash | … | Gio |
| Nicolas Giraud | … | Peter |
| Rubens Hyka | … | Leka |
| Camille Japy | … | Isabelle |
| Valentin Kalaj | … | Vinz |
| Fani Kolarova | … | Prostitute |
| Goran Kostic | … | Gregor |
| Christophe Kourotchkine | … | Gilles |
| Edwin Krüger | … | Jean-Claude’s Assistant |
| Jalil Naciri | … | Ali |
| Anca Radici | … | Ingrid |
| Nathan Rippy | … | Victor |
| Héléna Soubeyrand | … | Girl with the Jacket |
| Tommy Spahija | … | Nezir |
| Anatole Taubman | … | Dardan |
| Bertrand Treuil | … | Taxi Driver |
| Opender Singh | … | Singh |
| Christy Reese | … | Paper Shop Clerk |
| George Hertzberg | … | Security Stuart’s Mansion |
| Nabil Massad | … | Sheik Raman |
| Ivette González | … | Maid (as Ivette Gonzalez) |
| Don Abernathy | … | Airport Traveler |
| Whitney Adams | … | Party Guest |
| Sophie Chamoux | … | Bit part |
| Michael Finn | … | Airport Pilot |
| Dan Flood | … | Airport Traveler |
| Katrina Forrest | … | Maid |
| Jean-Yves Freyburger | … | Waiter |
| Stephen Janousek | … | Party Guest |
| Spencer Kayden | … | Mrs. Emory |
| Alexandra Kedzierska | … | Call girl |
| Alban Lenoir | … | Agent de sécurité |
| Mylène Ragon | … | Une prostituée |
| Christina Alice Schmidt | … | Party Friend |
| Tamara Witmer | … | Prostitute |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia