Taken (2008)
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Taken (2008) is a French action thriller film directed by Pierre Morel and written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. The film stars Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative who is thrust back into action when his daughter, Kim (played by Maggie Grace), is kidnapped while traveling in Paris.
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The plot centers on Bryan Mills’s relentless quest to rescue his daughter after she is abducted by an Albanian human trafficking ring. Using his exceptional set of skills and a unique set of “particular skills” he honed during his career, Mills embarks on a high-stakes mission to track down the kidnappers and save Kim before it’s too late.
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Taken is notable for its intense action sequences, tight pacing, and Neeson’s performance as a determined and resourceful father. The film became a major commercial success and is credited with revitalizing Neeson’s career as an action star. Its blend of suspense, high-octane action, and a straightforward, personal revenge plot made it a hit with audiences.
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The film spawned two sequels, Taken 2 (2012) and Taken 3 (2014), which continue the story of Bryan Mills and further explore his struggles and confrontations with dangerous adversaries.