Highschoolers only, no parental supervision, international trip? Yeah, no, the character wasnt being paranoid thats the normal response a parent should have to that request.
Yeah I don't know. Ay15 I wad allowed to do multiple day camping trips by myself/with friends my age, and those seem more dangerous than traveling to Europe to me
@@Mr.Braggadocio i mean it depends where you‘re going. Honestly in Paris the chances are pretty slim that you‘ll get kidnapped or at least I’ve not heard of a case like that in recent times (I’m from Germany tho). But I definitely wouldn’t let my unsupervised daughter travel to countries like Serbia, Albania, Czech or Bulgaria. Countries like France, Italy, Spain or Germany are way to overrun with police to have something like kidnappings (especially tourists from a country like the US) happening regularly
Liam Neeson had expected this to be a direct-to-DVD release, but they managed to get it released theatrically. The trailer was hugely popular and talked about. And then it started a whole new path late in his career, turning him into an action star with a now sizeable catalogue of action films.
Yep, he only did the film because he would get to live in Paris for a while and would get to do lessons in martial arts. Then boom, he's an action star haha
I think the success of this film was entirely based on the initial trailer being so good, following the modern trend though the trailer gives away the best part of the movie which is the phone call scene, almost in its entirety if I remember correctly. Its certainly a solid movie that of course they tried to milk with the sequels of which I don't remember the premises to at all.
I think the main issue with Bryan not wanting his daughter to go to Paris wasn't that France is either safe or unsafe. The issue was that Kim was quite spoiled and sheltered, abetted by her mother's own issues ("she can't trust you to be honest") and the lifestyle provided by her stepfather. Observe the scene when she asks for permission to go: she brings her mother, possibly to help twist his arm into signing the paper, and then loses it when she doesn't get her way. Yeah, she's 17, but mentally and emotionally, she was in no position to go abroad by herself, as evidenced by the fact that her and her friend talked to much to the first handsome Parisian they meet and almost immediately get abducted when they land in Paris. The relative safety of Europe notwithstanding, Bryan's reluctance was more about his daughter's maturity and less so her destination.
@Steven... And that no one ever calls out the mother for being a CUNT!! Her mom was the most singly responsible for knowingly sending her daughter to Paris in such a risky way, yet faces no blame in the end. Typical woman.
Nah, he was just being protective. People seem to forget they were meant to be staying with family of the friend. If nothing happened there would be no movie - see, there are these things called scripts...
There are an estimated 24.9 million people being trafficked at any point, predominantly women and children. If you were a government agent who was aware of that, I think letting her go at all would be pretty tough. It’s why people of means in a lot of countries hire a staff of ex military personnel to protect their families.
Well, people of means have much higher odds of being kidnapped and trafficked. Other than them, the chances of an average American tourist falling into this situation are absolutely, remotely tiny. How many American tourists travel trouble-free each year? You'd think that a government agent would have a better grasp of probability.
I'd love to see some actual statistics, but I'd bet a year's salary that getting into a fatal accident while driving are significantly higher than getting kidnapped. So by that reasoning, nobody should ever allow their loved ones to drive.
@@Tannhauser62 I mean if you want to talk about probability then you need to consider additional factors too. His daughter is travelling alone, young/under age, wealthy, white, pretty, a virgin as far as he knows..... all of those things vastly increase her likelihood of getting trafficked, as they make her more valuable.... and he'd know that.
Yeah I’m not saying that people shouldn’t travel or anything, but a ex government agent who has seen some gnarly shit in his day can probably be excused for having serious trepidations about his sheltered, underage daughter going to another country, that she’s not familiar with and apparently doesn’t speak the language, unsupervised.
Come on, they didn't know better. What's more baffling that in the sequel - after all he's done to them - it would be a bright idea to kidnap the guy himself.
@@Metzwerg74 Sure, if I get mauled by a fucking grizzly because I played around with its cub, getting the fucking big one into my tent the next day definitely sounds like the better idea.
As a father, even in a happy, wonderful marriage, it was still recommended to get a signed and notorized approval from my wife to take my 13 year old son on a backpacking trip within the US, where we'd be going across state lines. It's 100% required for both parents to approve a minor leaving the country.
That's wild. Around here, you need a signature from parents if the minor is traveling abroad with an adult who isn't their parent. I'd hazard a guess it's like that in most of the EU.
@@Arrynek01A signed permit from both parents is highly recommended by authorities here in Finland, even when a minor travels abroad with one of the parents. When applying a passport for a minor, it's required that both parents electrically sign the permit.
Liam Neeson took up this role because of the opportunity to spend four months living in Paris, learning martial arts. He actually thought it would flop and go straight to video lol - Kidnapping and these circumstances 100% happen. Women, girls and boys do get abducted like this when visiting other countries... scary af
@@Hexon66 If you compare it to time spent in either country to the chances of something bad happening, idk if its more likely. You're just always more vulnerable as a tourist
I think this movie touches on 2 key points 1. Human trafficking is real and stretches higher up than people think. 2. Too many people in the world travel far from home completely unaware of the dangers. People go missing off cruise ships every year, disappear while on vacation, children abducted while on vacation, etc…. The people doing it know that loved ones can only search so long until they run out of money and have to go back home. After that, local authorities will continue for a little while until they have to move on to other crimes. Always remember, be aware of the danger, but don’t fear it.
Nah. What the film does is laser targets the long-lasting fears and prejudices of big swathes of the population. It taps into the *fear* of human trafficking, the risk of which for westerners is far *less* than people think. It feeds off a world view built on media trops and sensationalist news, which convinces us it's dangerous to step out the front door.
Famke Janssen said in interviews that the main reason she wanted to be in this movie is because she's an anti-human trafficking activist and she was hoping it would raise awareness about the issue.
_"People go missing off cruise ships every year, disappear while on vacation, children abducted while on vacation, etc…"_ Do you have any references for that?
Fun fact: This movie didn’t have a trailer initially. It only showed the taking scene and Liam’s speech on the phone. This movie was sold on just that alone to audiences. And my favorite line is when he’s talking to his French contact who tells him the need to find the informant. “Already found him, he’s dead.” “…..did you find him that way?” Gets a laugh from me every time.
I never understood why Brian didn't correct his friend lol, all he had to say was, "No, but he jumped off a freeway, and then he ran his ass into oncoming traffic and got himself hit by a semi truck." It really wasn't Brian's fault at all lol
This is the perfect example of the first movie being spot-on great for its genre-good action scenes, believable motivations and choices for each character, and quotable dialogue. But then to have its sequels be utter garbage. I still can watch this movie but have never wanted to rewatch the next two movies in the franchise.
@@vwlssnvwls3262 Or at the very least wait until a good script, Neeson, and Besson could all be aligned behind a follow-up worthy of this movie. Rushed and cookie cutter sequels will ruin any franchise.
What bothered me about the sequel was that Kim didn't seem to be suffering any signs of PTSD. Had the movie been about her overcoming her PTSD to rescue her father, that would have been something.
@@tremorsfan Exactly. I feel like a good sequel should be a natural progression of the events that happened in the first movie. Kim dealing with the after effects would’ve made sense or even Mills facing legal repercussions from his actions would’ve been logical. If those would’ve been the starting point they could’ve added another kidnap scenario on top of it and it would’ve still felt grounded in reality.
His prevention line immediately brings to mind, counter-terrorism, and terrorist prevention would mean intel collection ie torture, tracking and hunting men and ultimate eliminating entire cells. Everything he needed for this movie.
@@treetopjones737 That's not entirely accurate. It depends on the type of info you're trying to get, and how much you already know. Most of the time it won't be helpful because you're casting a wide net over a long time period and trying to get any info you can, but when you're looking for something very short term, very specific, and something the other person knows you can easily and quickly verify, it's extremely effective. Just because it's effective does not mean you should use it however.
I’m telling you, one of Liam’s best movies is Sam Raimi’s “Darkman” from 1990. I wish he would have starred in the sequels because I can’t see anybody else in that role.
I forgot about that movie. Loved it. Didn't like Arnold Vosloo (aka Imhotep from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns) taking over for the sequels, but the franchise _did_ have Ted Raimi (of course) as one of the bad guys and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of Bruce Campbell in the first movie, Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle from Xena) in the second, and Roxann Dawson (Torres from Star Trek: Voyager) in the third.
Lets throw in John Wick for good measure. I still debate that Brian Mills might be able to take John in hand to hand, but would lose by a large margin as soon as weapons are involved. Bourne vs John Wick would be an interesting match too.
@@Gankhisprawnor Wick, Brian, and Bourne could give Robert McCall a call and all four team up together lol. Major crime would come to a screeching halt globally.
You don’t even have to go overseas to be around so much danger. After I got my U.S. citizenship I went back to Mexico to visit family. And I forgot how bad it was over where I grew up. People go missing everyday there. I’m just lucky my family brought me here before something like that could’ve happened to me
I love how this movie was done, even though I have a daughter and the thought of her being hurt scares the hell out of me. My favorite parts are his home made electric chair, and the fact that he does not let the rich jerk finish talking at the end.
@@chanceneck8072 It is not money that corrupts, it is the love of money that corrupts. If you are a person of integrity, the money won't change you. I have had the opportunity to becomre wealthy in terms of earthly wealth, but in order to do so, I would have to do things that i consider sinful. I'm just a pilgrim here on earth, just passing through on my way to be with Jesus
I agree,you have to be realistic about these things,that there is another world that the average citizen doesn't see or really want to know about.His "paranoia" stems from the fact that his work took him to that place so he's well aware of it.This is a great movie.
If your wanting to see a Liam Neeson film I'd like to suggest the 1990 film Darkman in which Liam starred in. It was also directed by (a decade before directing-Spider-Man) Sam Raimi.
I'm kind of with George on the "Dad fantasy" angle -- except I think he underestimates how many movies (especially action movies) are based on wish-fulfillment fantasies like that. I mean, John Wick had the _revenge_ fantasy dialed in perfectly, and we don't roll our eyes at it. Taken stands out because it found a fantasy that was underrepresented in cinema, and knocked it out of the park.
This film was made to hook every father out there... Every father watching this movie 100% approved of every single thing Liam Neeson's character said and did.
🤷♂ I've come to realize that most fiction is wish-fulfillment to some degree. Like how traditional superheroes were generally adolescent boy wish-fulfillment. And how Marvel's Wakanda stories were the same for oppressed or formerly oppressed populations of African descent: "I can be proud because my people aren't actually primitive compared to the rest of the world; we have a whole hidden nation whose technology is better than everyone else's!"
@@LuckySmurf 100% this. Human trafficking is a vile and disgusting crime, but a young woman here in the states is far more likely to fall victim to sexual assault by a family member or a date then some kind of shadowy foreign cabal. It's sort of like the fantasy of being able to stop an active shooter with a gun. It's more likely that the gun is going to kill someone in your family on accident, statistically speaking. I think good action movies give people the feeling that they could not only have control over their lives, but have that control with satisfying violence and rage. It's easy and fun. When real control requires discipline and social engineering and no one wants to do anything like that, lol.
@@LuckySmurf I don't think the dream is the situation, it's the control of the situation. These kinds of movies put a face to the horror and then let the protagonist defeat it. That's much nicer than the randomness in the real world. It's the same reason people believe in conspiracies. It's nicer to think there's a shadowy deep state causing all your problems than it is to accept there is no reason.
I would say that Liam Neeson's character is not "Dad wish fulfillment," but Male Power Fantasy, the daughter is merely the catalyst. She could have been swapped out for, say, a puppy given by his late wife. What happens in this movie is every dad's worst nightmare that no dad would actually fantasize about. Also, as far as the dad being paranoid and overprotective, maybe it's because you guys live in Canada. It's much more dangerous down here in the States. Not s**-trafficking dangerous, but muggings for sure, and there's a reason women in general shouldn't accept open drinks from strangers in bars. Though I'd say Europe is safer in general, there are parts of every major city that aren't terribly safe, and the girls in this movie were dead set (no pun intended) on seeing the fun in those areas. So while Liam was being protective, I don't think he was being overly protective.
The Fantasy is being willing and able to actually act on the fear and rage that an event like that would create, and getting away with it. You tell yourself that you'd do anything for a loved one, but without the skills to act, it's just bravado. In reality, Liam would be hit by a stray shot, beaten to death by a gang, or live and go to serious-crime prison forever. He killed several foreign nationals and assaulted members of the security services - he's lucky they don't execute him.
The guy who plays Liam Neeson’s old work friend Sam has been in so many movies and shows but always as a side character, such a great actor, name is Leland Orser, his IMDB page is epic
I watched UA-camrs in eastern Europe react to this movie and it seemed to hit them very hard. Being young attractive women I think they recognized the realism of the movie.
Trauma therapist here -- SIMONE! THANK YOU! Your comment about how traumatized the daughter character must be is correct and this is sadly a common failure of Hollywood action movies: the trauma the daughter experienced would be life altering. Even the scene of her happily smiling and getting off the plane at LAX struck me as unrealistic when I first saw it. While it is possible for a person to be okay -- or more likely, hide their trauma for the sake of their loved ones -- she more realistically would've been a quiet, shell of herself, that jumped at the slightest noise, and felt terror whenever a young man was around her. Also likely that she'd remain home not wanting visitors, no longer want to go outside, wear more bland, baggy clothing that hid her (female) body. Make up, something designed to look good and encourage attraction? Bye. Personal hygiene might even take a hit as being dirty or gross can feel unattractive to others and therefore safe. Pictures and reminders of her friend are likely gone, anything reminiscent of Europe or travel too. French, Algerian, any language or accent that was reminiscent or even just different than her native tongue could be triggering. Physical intimacy is likely going to be a struggle to recover, needing frequent breaks and experiencing frequent panic attacks even with a safe partner for years or more. There's likely immense guilt or shame about lying to her father over the trip and even potential distrust of her mother and step-father for encouraging it. Singing, which would require being up on a stage like she was auctioned on? Nope. We're talking years of intensive therapy -- never mind the re-traumatization of having to report all this to numerous authorities, both US and French. She also would've likely insisted her dad accompany her in the car home or stay with them, he's now the sense of safety. Tell me she doesn't lay alone in bed that night and not feel panicked at the sound of footsteps in the hall. If she goes in public at all, she's constantly watching exits, men, people asking for directions, etc. Now, I'm not saying all of this is for sure what would happen. But that or some flavor of that is the likely presentation. It's a real problem because, when movies just magically disappear the after effects of trauma, it results in a common social expectation and subconscious belief that it is normal not to struggle. Most of my trauma patients spend just as much time processing the belief that they are weak for not healing "fast enough" as much as the incident itself. We need to normalize traumatic events actually resulting in trauma so that hurt people feel free to be hurt. It's a massive problem. That being said, no shade at anybody for watching or enjoying such movies. I enjoyed it myself. Just noting an important dimension that often goes overlooked.
Heck it doesn't take that much to traumatize someone. I was one of those people who had never been in trouble for anything and had the cops raid my apartment (they had the wrong apartment, long story) while I was sleeping. But after that I had trouble sleeping for years. Even after I moved to my own home out in the middle of nowhere. The sound of a car driving by would wake me up and give me an anxiety attack. Heaven help me if I heard something outside (like the time a horse got out and was eating pears in my yard). Hell I even had to use a nightlight off an own for over a year cause my mind would start racing when the lights were out and I would hear things that weren't there. And that was just the(relatively )mild thing of a dozen armed men breaking down my door screaming at me. I don't wanna even think what kind of anxiety the daughter in this would have to deal with. I don't think I need to mention that even now (well over a decade later) I have an intense dislike/distrust of law enforcement.
@Mathew..I totally agree,getting off the plane as happy as she is then going to audition like that after what she went through,no,I think now she would have a fear,maybe,of open spaces,of strangers/meeting strangers,going out by herself etc that would persist for quite a while.
The daughter didn't get taken advantage of like her friend, his daughter being a virgin was the ONLY thing saved her from being forced into prostitution so the trauma would not have been as extensive as your paragraphs.
To be fair: the daughter is not the one that sets things in motion in the final film XD. But yeah... movie's obsession with having sequels of films that maybe don't need them create such loopholes (how many times a person can be under the same set of circumstances and not be its fault).
This is the type of movie to train not just teens but adults when traveling outside any country. It's nice to be friendly - but not stupid enough to tell someone where you live...
And that you will be alone. Unfortunately, too many people lose common sense when an attractive person smiles at them. Particularly an attractive, charming French man
This movie was meant to be a throwaway action flick when it was released, but turned out to be a sleeper hit. That's the reason why there was not a lot o character development--it was never expected to do well. The follow-up movies were money grabs but are worth watching; they are not as good as the first.
Hi Simone & George!🙂I think Liam Neeson's character showed the right amount of concern for his 17 year old daughter traveling to another country. Great reactions to this well made action film, Kids!!!!🎬👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
As a lesser known Liam Neeson movie, I would suggest Rob Roy, it came out the same year as Braveheart and is also about a historical Scottish man, but was overshadowed by latter. It also stars Tim Roth and Brian Cox as the primary villains in the story.
As for the sequels, I appreciate them for what they are. The second one is not as good as the first. The third one is better than the second. They all follow the stories set up in the first. I think cinebinge should watch them for the channel. 😊
This movie and the television show Locked Up Abroad were both big the year I was studying in the UK and traveling around Europe. My poor mother was a wreck the entire time I was gone.
I think the isn't that he's paranoid. It's that he's ex C.I.A officer and who is more aware than most people how bad human trafficking is in the world, and what countries/areas of the world its worse.
I always felt bad for her friend. They should’ve showed them bringing her body to her family. His daughter got saved but all those other girls who were taken…
If you want a great movie with Liam Neeson with an amazing villain played by Tim Roth, watch Rob Roy. Such a wonderfully made film that does not get enough love.
100% this. When it comes to "Scottish history" movies, everyone only remembers Braveheart, but Rob Roy is a better film IMO. And arguably Rob Roy himself was a more famous historical figure than William Wallace (at least before Braveheart came out). The way they depicted that injury in the final duel (no spoilers)... I still shudder thinking about that.
The Dad Fantasy is right on. Every piece fiction has a fulfillment fantasy angle to it. Otherwise it would be a documentary. Every father has things they can't protect their children from that they also can't do anything about. This movie gives us a chance to feel how it would be to save them from the ultimate evil.
His "paranoia" isn't paranoia at all. The harsh reality is that human trafficking and slavery is worse now than it's ever been at any point in history. Living in the west in relative safety, people are completely unaware of just how dangerous it really is. And this movie, as disturbing as it is, barely scratches the surface on the absolute horrors that go on in these operations.
This movie doesn't paint an accurate picture to how it works though. Many organizations that fight it have said that over the years. Most people, especially on UA-cam and social media that pretend to care about the problem don't listen to that though.
@@Zack_410 **gasp** You mean that Hollywood dramatized it? NO WAYYYYY THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF ANY MOVIE EVAR Also, more people care about it than you think, my cynical little friend. It's just that most of us are powerless to do anything about it.
That doesn't make any sense because Western Europe is part of the "west" and the countries on her map are statistically far safer than the US. As long as he has raised her properly she is far safer in France than in the US.
Yes, I think where the movie skews reality is that his daughter was trafficked in Europe. There is enough trafficking right here in America that statistically she would have been in more danger here!
I definitely get the grievances of Liam Neeson’s character. I wouldn’t send my daughter out of the country if that was the circumstance. If it was to my home country where I have lots of family then that would be a different story.
Why is your response listed as 8 days ago? When in my timeline and the reactors page it says 2 hrs ago when this movie was first shown? Perhaps a standard clip & paste response.
@@truthguide1742 Hence why there are 600 comments on a 4 hour old video. Someone has already said it, but UA-camrs set videos as unlisted and share the link to Patreon members early
Don't worry, if you did allow your underage daughter to go to Europe, Luc Besson would probably just impregnate and marry her himself, he's a famous director so nobody seems to care
One of my favorite Liam Neeson movies is "The Grey". Not a huge hit by any stretch, but a solid watch that's also my "I miss winter" movie that I usually rewatch every summer.
Consider reacting to the 1993 action thriller "In the Line of Fire" starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich. Eastwood plays a Secret Service agent and Malkovich brilliantly plays an assassin.
George, the "shower thought" perfect answer is called "l'esprit d'escalier" which my Significant Other translates as "the spirit of the staircase". The words you think of as you leave. I find it a little more descriptive than "shower thoughts." Shower thoughts, for me, is more when you get that distant, thinking look in your eyes and solve the whole puzzle coming up with the perfect plan. The first happens to us all. The second often signals lazy writing.
The first part of the movie hits different now after my last vacation. No kidnapping involved, but I was at Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany when the horiffic attack on those two young American tourists happened and I had been hiking at the crime scene with my family one day earlier. Two young women traveling to Europe to celebrate, only to fall victim to a terrible crime and only one returning home...
@@playthroughcinema A male American tourist lured two young female American tourists off the usual footpath and assaulted one of them. Her friend tried to help her, a struggle ensued and he pushed both of them into a 50m deep ravine. One was lucky and was only lightly injured, her friend didn't make it and died in the hospital.
@@playthroughcinema Two American tourists in their early twenties were brutally attacked in an attempted sexual assault by another American tourist. They had just met him shortly before on the tour. He lured them away, supposedly for a good view, and then he savagely attacked them. They fell into a deep ravine during the struggle, sustaining major injuries. He ran away. Police eventually caught him. And as Quallenkrauler said, one of the girls later died of her injuries. Tragic, all around. Even for the tour group who saw them mangled on the ground after their fall. That's not something any of them are going to be able to forget.
@@Quallenkrauler it's kinda odd that they just meet and he's attacking them so soon and that he'd try to attack two at once... makes me think he's done it before.
Ryan Reynolds has a line in I believe "Deadpool" about the multiple "Taken" movies that is hilarious. He says something to the effect of "At some point you just have to ask yourself if he is a bad father?".
It's not clearly stated, but it's heavily implied that Liam was a member of the CIAs Special Activities Division. Which is basically the Special Forces of the CIA.
Preventer you prevent the threat(s) before or stop them as they are in progress Avenger only after said event. Pay back for major losses Cant protect the world we'll be damn sure we'll avenge it. - tony Revenger payback for said event. Usually personal.
She was 17, sheltered, a bit immature and unprepared. I don't think he was paranoid, I think he was cautious. If they had been preparing her for travel, educating her on what to look out for and had a trusted local person as a contact point, then that would have been different.
I feel that the mom was a little harsh. I would never let a child of mine outside the country without a lot more supervision and people. Taken 2 is actually my favorite!
"These are the U2 european tour dates.." EW! Couldn't stop laughing 😂😂 Great reaction as always my guys, keep up the good work youve been doing all this time - always good to open youtube and see a new reaction from you two
@_BangDroid_ Can't believe people went nuts over such a small thing. As if a nuclear war had been started or something. Why even waste energy on that? Of course, people like that never think they're overreacting and think they're being completely rational. There are bigger and more important things in the world.
He wasn't wearing a leather jacket for fashion, but a full grain leather jacket, like his in the movie, offer good concealment within and good protection layer.
Late comment. Love your reactions. Liam Neeson was an ex-boxer who went on to become helluva actor and an Oscar nominee (Schindler's List, 1993). 20 years plus into his career, the TAKEN franchise made him the new thinking man's action hero. The phone call scene is unforgettable and major selling point of the movie in it's first trailer. As well it's a real human being striking out against the real life travesty of human trafficking. Following the film's success, there was a much bigger crackdown by authorities on sex slavery. Shoutout to y'all for watching the unrated version. Part 2 is as good as the first film. Part 3 is decisive for not being a good final chapter. There was a prequel tv series on NBC (2018-2019) for 2 seasons. The creators of the franchise, Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen got more gems: Kiss of The Dragon (2001) & Unleashed (2005) with Jet Li, Columbiana with Zoe Saldana (2011) and The Transporter trilogy with Jason Statham (2002-2008). Check these out if you can.
A man with his background and life and age is cemented in his personality. There is no more growth, he is who he is. A flowery ending or personal epithany would not match the tone or texture of this movie!!!!
I don't know about Canadians, but viewers from the UK immediately recognised the pop singer, from Aussie soap opera Neighbours! Which was also the launching pad for one "Kylie Minogue"...
30:08 I've always thought it'd be funny to see crossover movies Taken meet X-Men It's the same exact movie but way shorter, because the mother is dr. Jean grey and she just literally ripped the mines apart of all those involved movies like 24 minutes Just like true blood a lot of people didn't realize the lead waitress character is rogue from the X-Men. So I always thought it would be funny if she had rogues powers for the true blood series. Vampires and werewolves try to come at her and she just sucks all their magic
As someone that has been to 12 different countries the dad was not being over protective in the slightest. I hope my 17 year old daughter wants to do this one day. I will laugh in her face and her moms face 😂😂😂 Great movie however! Best of the trilogy easily. Edit: War in the comments apparently. Y'all have fun with that, I'm out 😂😂
@@nlsmason9466 it's sad but very true. I spent 8 years in the army going all over the world. Not saying my country, America, is ultra safe because honestly every place has risks. But traveling to foreign countries where you can't speak or read the language and don't know the culture it's very easy to get in trouble fast without even realizing it.
@@Jehty_ I joined the military at 17. I fully understand at 17 years old some people are smart enough to handle themselves. Most are not however. Teenagers are coddled in this day and age. If you think 17 years of age is old enough to run around doing whatever you want then I'm sorry for you. I never regret joining the military but at 17? That was a 17 year olds mistake. And yes by the time I hit 19-20 I was far wiser.
@@raziel6896 you were fare wiser because you made those experiences in the 3 years before turning 20. Without these experiences you would have been the same teenager at 20 as your were at 17....
I don't recommend the other Taken movies as good, though reacting to them could still be fun. Personally, I prefer Commando as the superior version of this story. But I grew up with that movie. So I might be a little bit biased...
My headcanon tagline: “They took the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, Qui Gon Jinn, Zeus, Aslan, Oskar Schindler, Godfrey de Ibelin and Hannibal Smith. What did they think was gonna happen?!” Also, Leland Orser is one of my favourite character actors! He has a great line in traumatised/vulnerable characters, as seen in Saving Private Ryan, Alien: Resurrection and especially Se7en!
That friend of his that was on the phone and the pilot in Saving Private Ryan has turned in so many good performances in small roles. He was also the "Lust" John in Seven.
Not every main character has to have an arc or change, this is the type of story about the characters around him change and have an arc. This "guardian angel" type of story is perfect for action heroes.
You know, considering this is essentially "CIA is fucking awesome and it's cool to let them do whatever if it's "important"." - the movie, it's an entertaining watch. The sequels were basically awful cash grabs.
The guy who famously impregnated a 15 year old when he was over 30, his first film is about a teenage junkie and features sex scenes? Colour me shocked.
I think it is a middle aged dad wish fulfillment movie. There’s a whole genre of this hyper-competence porn where middle aged guys (like me) can see other middle aged guys become heroes saving their family. I can’t remember if you’ve done it, but for a great bad-a** dad movie you should check out “Nobody.”
This is by far the best of the three movies. I also think that the Taken trilogy is the perfect example of why the 12A (the UK equivalent of the US PG-13, although I see that Canada's film ratings are similar to ours) is killing the action movie genre. Taken was an 18 rated movie in the UK and between the torture, overdose and the other incredibly heavy subject matter, it more than earns that rating. Taken 2 doesn't have anywhere near as heavy stuff going on and the violence is toned down a bit, so is a 15 rating. Taken 3 has no heavy subject matter, almost cartoonish violence and is a 12A. It's also comfortably the worst of the three! So many action movies are chasing the 12A rating these days that movies like this aren't really made anyone, for better or worse.
An 18 year old restricted movie, that can help 15-17yr olds to become aware of things existing. Seems counterproductive. Violence on film or videogames is something a 10 year old can differ from reality. Helicoptering kids is just stupid.
I hate that they did two more Taken films as it massively took away from the original and the important message. Even as the first Taken film approached the end, it started getting cartooney but I was fully invested by that point. The second and third were such clear studio cash grabs
18:08 - "Apparently car doors are terrible... Doesn't block bullets at all." - That's reality, in movies, car doors are a 100% impenetrable bullet shield. 28:52 - "See, that's where I would have reloaded and tried that kill again." - I've done that too many times to count. Playing through GoldenEye64 with a mouse and keyboard (emulated), I replayed the mission on a ship until I was able to do it by stealth killing every single enemy.
Highschoolers only, no parental supervision, international trip? Yeah, no, the character wasnt being paranoid thats the normal response a parent should have to that request.
Yes very naive to think otherwise
Yeah I don't know. Ay15 I wad allowed to do multiple day camping trips by myself/with friends my age, and those seem more dangerous than traveling to Europe to me
@Mr.Braggadocio how many friends were there? And where did you go?
Those a few questions that can be a huge difference in your safety and whatnot
Yeah wtf are these 2 talking about😂 THE MOVIE IS LITERALLY CALLED TAKEN
@@Mr.Braggadocio i mean it depends where you‘re going. Honestly in Paris the chances are pretty slim that you‘ll get kidnapped or at least I’ve not heard of a case like that in recent times (I’m from Germany tho). But I definitely wouldn’t let my unsupervised daughter travel to countries like Serbia, Albania, Czech or Bulgaria. Countries like France, Italy, Spain or Germany are way to overrun with police to have something like kidnappings (especially tourists from a country like the US) happening regularly
Liam Neeson had expected this to be a direct-to-DVD release, but they managed to get it released theatrically. The trailer was hugely popular and talked about. And then it started a whole new path late in his career, turning him into an action star with a now sizeable catalogue of action films.
Yep, he only did the film because he would get to live in Paris for a while and would get to do lessons in martial arts. Then boom, he's an action star haha
Agreed. This was a career changing movie for Neeson and created a new action movie arc for him.
I find it funny that before this no one thought to cast Liam in an action movie.... the dude is HUGE lol
I already loved him in Love Actually . 😅🤭
I think the success of this film was entirely based on the initial trailer being so good, following the modern trend though the trailer gives away the best part of the movie which is the phone call scene, almost in its entirety if I remember correctly. Its certainly a solid movie that of course they tried to milk with the sequels of which I don't remember the premises to at all.
I think the main issue with Bryan not wanting his daughter to go to Paris wasn't that France is either safe or unsafe. The issue was that Kim was quite spoiled and sheltered, abetted by her mother's own issues ("she can't trust you to be honest") and the lifestyle provided by her stepfather. Observe the scene when she asks for permission to go: she brings her mother, possibly to help twist his arm into signing the paper, and then loses it when she doesn't get her way. Yeah, she's 17, but mentally and emotionally, she was in no position to go abroad by herself, as evidenced by the fact that her and her friend talked to much to the first handsome Parisian they meet and almost immediately get abducted when they land in Paris. The relative safety of Europe notwithstanding, Bryan's reluctance was more about his daughter's maturity and less so her destination.
The friend also was fully intending to push the daughter into losing her virginity to some randomer whilst away
Good point.
@Steven... And that no one ever calls out the mother for being a CUNT!! Her mom was the most singly responsible for knowingly sending her daughter to Paris in such a risky way, yet faces no blame in the end. Typical woman.
Nah, he was just being protective. People seem to forget they were meant to be staying with family of the friend.
If nothing happened there would be no movie - see, there are these things called scripts...
@@Cheepchipsable See there is this thing called human trafficking which does actually happen to young girls and children. Sarcastic fool
There are an estimated 24.9 million people being trafficked at any point, predominantly women and children. If you were a government agent who was aware of that, I think letting her go at all would be pretty tough. It’s why people of means in a lot of countries hire a staff of ex military personnel to protect their families.
Well, people of means have much higher odds of being kidnapped and trafficked. Other than them, the chances of an average American tourist falling into this situation are absolutely, remotely tiny. How many American tourists travel trouble-free each year? You'd think that a government agent would have a better grasp of probability.
I'd love to see some actual statistics, but I'd bet a year's salary that getting into a fatal accident while driving are significantly higher than getting kidnapped. So by that reasoning, nobody should ever allow their loved ones to drive.
@@Tannhauser62 I mean if you want to talk about probability then you need to consider additional factors too. His daughter is travelling alone, young/under age, wealthy, white, pretty, a virgin as far as he knows..... all of those things vastly increase her likelihood of getting trafficked, as they make her more valuable.... and he'd know that.
Like in Man On Fire. Although that is more the cartels kidnapping and ransoming, it is the same thing, they also traffic people.
Yeah I’m not saying that people shouldn’t travel or anything, but a ex government agent who has seen some gnarly shit in his day can probably be excused for having serious trepidations about his sheltered, underage daughter going to another country, that she’s not familiar with and apparently doesn’t speak the language, unsupervised.
The dude trained Batman, and Obi Wan Kenobi. And you dare kidnap his daughter?
😂😂😂
Come on, they didn't know better. What's more baffling that in the sequel - after all he's done to them - it would be a bright idea to kidnap the guy himself.
@@agp11001 at least a better idea, than to just try the daughter or wife...
@@Metzwerg74 Sure, if I get mauled by a fucking grizzly because I played around with its cub, getting the fucking big one into my tent the next day definitely sounds like the better idea.
@@agp11001 well revenge is not about logic.....
As a father, even in a happy, wonderful marriage, it was still recommended to get a signed and notorized approval from my wife to take my 13 year old son on a backpacking trip within the US, where we'd be going across state lines. It's 100% required for both parents to approve a minor leaving the country.
That's wild. Around here, you need a signature from parents if the minor is traveling abroad with an adult who isn't their parent. I'd hazard a guess it's like that in most of the EU.
That's a pretty good rule actually. Kinda surprising that it's the same country allowing kids to play around with guns tho...
@@GasparGa Kids are not allowed to play with guns here, lol
@@GasparGalol why would that be surprising
@@Arrynek01A signed permit from both parents is highly recommended by authorities here in Finland, even when a minor travels abroad with one of the parents. When applying a passport for a minor, it's required that both parents electrically sign the permit.
Liam Neeson took up this role because of the opportunity to spend four months living in Paris, learning martial arts. He actually thought it would flop and go straight to video lol - Kidnapping and these circumstances 100% happen. Women, girls and boys do get abducted like this when visiting other countries... scary af
But it's still far more likely for it to happen in the daughter's home country.
@@Hexon66 If you compare it to time spent in either country to the chances of something bad happening, idk if its more likely. You're just always more vulnerable as a tourist
@@Hexon66 How do you figure that?
I think this movie touches on 2 key points 1. Human trafficking is real and stretches higher up than people think. 2. Too many people in the world travel far from home completely unaware of the dangers. People go missing off cruise ships every year, disappear while on vacation, children abducted while on vacation, etc…. The people doing it know that loved ones can only search so long until they run out of money and have to go back home. After that, local authorities will continue for a little while until they have to move on to other crimes. Always remember, be aware of the danger, but don’t fear it.
Be a lot easier if open carry and CC was allowed in Europe.
Nah. What the film does is laser targets the long-lasting fears and prejudices of big swathes of the population. It taps into the *fear* of human trafficking, the risk of which for westerners is far *less* than people think. It feeds off a world view built on media trops and sensationalist news, which convinces us it's dangerous to step out the front door.
@@brucechmiel7964Crime is lower in Europe than it is in America so that's false. We have a higher rate.
Famke Janssen said in interviews that the main reason she wanted to be in this movie is because she's an anti-human trafficking activist and she was hoping it would raise awareness about the issue.
_"People go missing off cruise ships every year, disappear while on vacation, children abducted while on vacation, etc…"_
Do you have any references for that?
Fun fact: This movie didn’t have a trailer initially. It only showed the taking scene and Liam’s speech on the phone. This movie was sold on just that alone to audiences.
And my favorite line is when he’s talking to his French contact who tells him the need to find the informant.
“Already found him, he’s dead.”
“…..did you find him that way?”
Gets a laugh from me every time.
I never understood why Brian didn't correct his friend lol, all he had to say was, "No, but he jumped off a freeway, and then he ran his ass into oncoming traffic and got himself hit by a semi truck." It really wasn't Brian's fault at all lol
@@KrazzeeKane Easy. He was on a time crunch. No time for small talk.
This is the perfect example of the first movie being spot-on great for its genre-good action scenes, believable motivations and choices for each character, and quotable dialogue. But then to have its sequels be utter garbage. I still can watch this movie but have never wanted to rewatch the next two movies in the franchise.
Yes, they never should have done sequels. I understand why they did, because they are Hollywood and suffer from being unable to do anything original.
I remember a headline for Taken 3 that stuck with me of how bad the others are:
Taken 3 makes Taken 2 look like Taken 1
@@vwlssnvwls3262 Or at the very least wait until a good script, Neeson, and Besson could all be aligned behind a follow-up worthy of this movie. Rushed and cookie cutter sequels will ruin any franchise.
What bothered me about the sequel was that Kim didn't seem to be suffering any signs of PTSD. Had the movie been about her overcoming her PTSD to rescue her father, that would have been something.
@@tremorsfan Exactly. I feel like a good sequel should be a natural progression of the events that happened in the first movie. Kim dealing with the after effects would’ve made sense or even Mills facing legal repercussions from his actions would’ve been logical. If those would’ve been the starting point they could’ve added another kidnap scenario on top of it and it would’ve still felt grounded in reality.
His prevention line immediately brings to mind, counter-terrorism, and terrorist prevention would mean intel collection ie torture, tracking and hunting men and ultimate eliminating entire cells. Everything he needed for this movie.
Intel experts said that torture does not produce good info.
@@treetopjones737 That's not entirely accurate. It depends on the type of info you're trying to get, and how much you already know. Most of the time it won't be helpful because you're casting a wide net over a long time period and trying to get any info you can, but when you're looking for something very short term, very specific, and something the other person knows you can easily and quickly verify, it's extremely effective. Just because it's effective does not mean you should use it however.
I’m telling you, one of Liam’s best movies is Sam Raimi’s “Darkman” from 1990. I wish he would have starred in the sequels because I can’t see anybody else in that role.
I forgot about that movie. Loved it. Didn't like Arnold Vosloo (aka Imhotep from The Mummy and The Mummy Returns) taking over for the sequels, but the franchise _did_ have Ted Raimi (of course) as one of the bad guys and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of Bruce Campbell in the first movie, Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle from Xena) in the second, and Roxann Dawson (Torres from Star Trek: Voyager) in the third.
"Take the fucking teddy bear!!!"
That one? I haven't seen it in years ahaha.
Darkman's cry of "Juuuuuuliiieeeeeee" is my ringtone for my wife, also named Julie.
@@Gurra88 *elephant
Darkman is the blueprint upon which Raimi created the Spider-Man trilogy.
If you haven't seen it yet, Man on Fire (2004) is another great example from that genre.
George: “is it treadstone?”
😂😂 Sometimes I do consider Bourne and Taken to have happened in the same universe.
Lets throw in John Wick for good measure. I still debate that Brian Mills might be able to take John in hand to hand, but would lose by a large margin as soon as weapons are involved. Bourne vs John Wick would be an interesting match too.
@@Gankhisprawnor Wick, Brian, and Bourne could give Robert McCall a call and all four team up together lol. Major crime would come to a screeching halt globally.
A dream colab. Or a vs movie, who would win in a fight?
To this day the phone scene is considered one of the best deliveries in cinema dialogue, and I absolutely agree with such a statement, incredible
The Grey (2012) is another great Liam Neeson movie that is severely underrated…
Loved the ending!!! :)
I was just going to say the same thing! It's brilliant.
can´t stand that movie
Into the fray
Dark Man
You don’t even have to go overseas to be around so much danger. After I got my U.S. citizenship I went back to Mexico to visit family. And I forgot how bad it was over where I grew up. People go missing everyday there. I’m just lucky my family brought me here before something like that could’ve happened to me
People are trafficked in the US every day. It’s a sad reality. We’re not safe anywhere
I love how this movie was done, even though I have a daughter and the thought of her being hurt scares the hell out of me. My favorite parts are his home made electric chair, and the fact that he does not let the rich jerk finish talking at the end.
Money corrupts... Unfortunately.
@@chanceneck8072 It is not money that corrupts, it is the love of money that corrupts. If you are a person of integrity, the money won't change you. I have had the opportunity to becomre wealthy in terms of earthly wealth, but in order to do so, I would have to do things that i consider sinful. I'm just a pilgrim here on earth, just passing through on my way to be with Jesus
Great movie. Didn't need sequels.
After all the years of work he did, his paranoia was earned by all the things he would see that we don't.
I agree,you have to be realistic about these things,that there is another world that the average citizen doesn't see or really want to know about.His "paranoia" stems from the fact that his work took him to that place so he's well aware of it.This is a great movie.
It was nice at the end she was saved and then brought home to LA the capitol of adult/chi/d sex trafficking. Now she’s more in danger than anywhere.
If your wanting to see a Liam Neeson film I'd like to suggest the 1990 film Darkman in which Liam starred in. It was also directed by (a decade before directing-Spider-Man) Sam Raimi.
His friend on the phone, who was in Saving Private Ryan, was also the Lust commiter in Seven. His name is Leland Orser.
He also had a part in "The Bone Collector." Which is a movie I really want to see a reaction to.
It's "Se7en".
He also appeared in Alien: Resurrection, where he used his very own parasite to kill the man with the hairiest shoulders in history.
@@pablom-f8762 Dan Hedaya may have had the most hairy shoulders, but he can also play a great scumbag.
He was in an episode of Star Trek Voyager as an artificial lifeform that REALLY resented being made to look like a human.
14:41 He is the Darkman, he train Batman, he is a Jedi, and a god in Narnia, and they dared to kidnap his daughter
I'm kind of with George on the "Dad fantasy" angle -- except I think he underestimates how many movies (especially action movies) are based on wish-fulfillment fantasies like that. I mean, John Wick had the _revenge_ fantasy dialed in perfectly, and we don't roll our eyes at it. Taken stands out because it found a fantasy that was underrepresented in cinema, and knocked it out of the park.
This film was made to hook every father out there...
Every father watching this movie 100% approved of every single thing Liam Neeson's character said and did.
🤷♂ I've come to realize that most fiction is wish-fulfillment to some degree. Like how traditional superheroes were generally adolescent boy wish-fulfillment. And how Marvel's Wakanda stories were the same for oppressed or formerly oppressed populations of African descent: "I can be proud because my people aren't actually primitive compared to the rest of the world; we have a whole hidden nation whose technology is better than everyone else's!"
@@LuckySmurf 100% this. Human trafficking is a vile and disgusting crime, but a young woman here in the states is far more likely to fall victim to sexual assault by a family member or a date then some kind of shadowy foreign cabal. It's sort of like the fantasy of being able to stop an active shooter with a gun. It's more likely that the gun is going to kill someone in your family on accident, statistically speaking.
I think good action movies give people the feeling that they could not only have control over their lives, but have that control with satisfying violence and rage. It's easy and fun. When real control requires discipline and social engineering and no one wants to do anything like that, lol.
@@LuckySmurf I don't think the dream is the situation, it's the control of the situation. These kinds of movies put a face to the horror and then let the protagonist defeat it. That's much nicer than the randomness in the real world. It's the same reason people believe in conspiracies. It's nicer to think there's a shadowy deep state causing all your problems than it is to accept there is no reason.
Revenge fantasy has been around forever, I can list it back to the 70s, with Taxi driver and the death wish movies.
I would say that Liam Neeson's character is not "Dad wish fulfillment," but Male Power Fantasy, the daughter is merely the catalyst. She could have been swapped out for, say, a puppy given by his late wife. What happens in this movie is every dad's worst nightmare that no dad would actually fantasize about.
Also, as far as the dad being paranoid and overprotective, maybe it's because you guys live in Canada. It's much more dangerous down here in the States. Not s**-trafficking dangerous, but muggings for sure, and there's a reason women in general shouldn't accept open drinks from strangers in bars. Though I'd say Europe is safer in general, there are parts of every major city that aren't terribly safe, and the girls in this movie were dead set (no pun intended) on seeing the fun in those areas. So while Liam was being protective, I don't think he was being overly protective.
It's how every single man who values his daughter or future daughter feels. It is male power, white knight fantasy
The Fantasy is being willing and able to actually act on the fear and rage that an event like that would create, and getting away with it. You tell yourself that you'd do anything for a loved one, but without the skills to act, it's just bravado. In reality, Liam would be hit by a stray shot, beaten to death by a gang, or live and go to serious-crime prison forever. He killed several foreign nationals and assaulted members of the security services - he's lucky they don't execute him.
The guy who plays Liam Neeson’s old work friend Sam has been in so many movies and shows but always as a side character, such a great actor, name is Leland Orser, his IMDB page is epic
Yeah, he's always great, even in bad movies. His small role in Saving Private Ryan is very impactful.
I watched UA-camrs in eastern Europe react to this movie and it seemed to hit them very hard. Being young attractive women I think they recognized the realism of the movie.
Wtf is with the U2 hate? They’re amazing. -5 respect points
Trauma therapist here -- SIMONE! THANK YOU! Your comment about how traumatized the daughter character must be is correct and this is sadly a common failure of Hollywood action movies: the trauma the daughter experienced would be life altering. Even the scene of her happily smiling and getting off the plane at LAX struck me as unrealistic when I first saw it. While it is possible for a person to be okay -- or more likely, hide their trauma for the sake of their loved ones -- she more realistically would've been a quiet, shell of herself, that jumped at the slightest noise, and felt terror whenever a young man was around her. Also likely that she'd remain home not wanting visitors, no longer want to go outside, wear more bland, baggy clothing that hid her (female) body. Make up, something designed to look good and encourage attraction? Bye. Personal hygiene might even take a hit as being dirty or gross can feel unattractive to others and therefore safe. Pictures and reminders of her friend are likely gone, anything reminiscent of Europe or travel too. French, Algerian, any language or accent that was reminiscent or even just different than her native tongue could be triggering. Physical intimacy is likely going to be a struggle to recover, needing frequent breaks and experiencing frequent panic attacks even with a safe partner for years or more. There's likely immense guilt or shame about lying to her father over the trip and even potential distrust of her mother and step-father for encouraging it. Singing, which would require being up on a stage like she was auctioned on? Nope. We're talking years of intensive therapy -- never mind the re-traumatization of having to report all this to numerous authorities, both US and French. She also would've likely insisted her dad accompany her in the car home or stay with them, he's now the sense of safety. Tell me she doesn't lay alone in bed that night and not feel panicked at the sound of footsteps in the hall. If she goes in public at all, she's constantly watching exits, men, people asking for directions, etc.
Now, I'm not saying all of this is for sure what would happen. But that or some flavor of that is the likely presentation. It's a real problem because, when movies just magically disappear the after effects of trauma, it results in a common social expectation and subconscious belief that it is normal not to struggle. Most of my trauma patients spend just as much time processing the belief that they are weak for not healing "fast enough" as much as the incident itself. We need to normalize traumatic events actually resulting in trauma so that hurt people feel free to be hurt. It's a massive problem.
That being said, no shade at anybody for watching or enjoying such movies. I enjoyed it myself. Just noting an important dimension that often goes overlooked.
Heck it doesn't take that much to traumatize someone. I was one of those people who had never been in trouble for anything and had the cops raid my apartment (they had the wrong apartment, long story) while I was sleeping. But after that I had trouble sleeping for years. Even after I moved to my own home out in the middle of nowhere. The sound of a car driving by would wake me up and give me an anxiety attack. Heaven help me if I heard something outside (like the time a horse got out and was eating pears in my yard). Hell I even had to use a nightlight off an own for over a year cause my mind would start racing when the lights were out and I would hear things that weren't there. And that was just the(relatively )mild thing of a dozen armed men breaking down my door screaming at me. I don't wanna even think what kind of anxiety the daughter in this would have to deal with. I don't think I need to mention that even now (well over a decade later) I have an intense dislike/distrust of law enforcement.
@Mathew..I totally agree,getting off the plane as happy as she is then going to audition like that after what she went through,no,I think now she would have a fear,maybe,of open spaces,of strangers/meeting strangers,going out by herself etc that would persist for quite a while.
Not to mention she may have survivors guilt because her friend didn’t make it.
@@betteryourlife865 👍
The daughter didn't get taken advantage of like her friend, his daughter being a virgin was the ONLY thing saved her from being forced into prostitution so the trauma would not have been as extensive as your paragraphs.
To quote Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool:
"They made three of those movies. At some point you have to wonder if he's just a bad parent."
I hate that this movie has sequels
😂😂😂😂 I was gonna post this also "Deadpool"
To be fair: the daughter is not the one that sets things in motion in the final film XD. But yeah... movie's obsession with having sequels of films that maybe don't need them create such loopholes (how many times a person can be under the same set of circumstances and not be its fault).
@@DocuzanQuitomos the second made sense, that it hit him again.... he killed someone, that had family, and they want revenge....
In Taken 5 they kidnap his grandmother. In Taken 6 they grab his childhood teddy bear, Mr Squiggles.
This is the type of movie to train not just teens but adults when traveling outside any country. It's nice to be friendly - but not stupid enough to tell someone where you live...
And that you will be alone. Unfortunately, too many people lose common sense when an attractive person smiles at them. Particularly an attractive, charming French man
This movie was meant to be a throwaway action flick when it was released, but turned out to be a sleeper hit. That's the reason why there was not a lot o character development--it was never expected to do well. The follow-up movies were money grabs but are worth watching; they are not as good as the first.
"I'll look like this until I'm 59 and then overnight turn into a 300-year-old raisin" I'm dead LMAO
Hi Simone & George!🙂I think Liam Neeson's character showed the right amount of concern for his 17 year old daughter traveling to another country. Great reactions to this well made action film, Kids!!!!🎬👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
As a lesser known Liam Neeson movie, I would suggest Rob Roy, it came out the same year as Braveheart and is also about a historical Scottish man, but was overshadowed by latter. It also stars Tim Roth and Brian Cox as the primary villains in the story.
The next Liam Neeson movies should be the somewhat historical Rob Roy and the historical Michael Collins. Great casts and epic movies.
Michael Collins would lead to In the Name of the Father. I'd love to see that reaction too.
Another vote for "Rob Roy"! Which has Tim Roth as the villain, too good!
As for the sequels, I appreciate them for what they are. The second one is not as good as the first. The third one is better than the second. They all follow the stories set up in the first. I think cinebinge should watch them for the channel. 😊
“He just turned into a Pez dispenser” - DAMN, the was awesome!
This movie and the television show Locked Up Abroad were both big the year I was studying in the UK and traveling around Europe. My poor mother was a wreck the entire time I was gone.
I think the isn't that he's paranoid. It's that he's ex C.I.A officer and who is more aware than most people how bad human trafficking is in the world, and what countries/areas of the world its worse.
I always felt bad for her friend. They should’ve showed them bringing her body to her family. His daughter got saved but all those other girls who were taken…
This is the dad I told you so fantasy movie.
If you want a great movie with Liam Neeson with an amazing villain played by Tim Roth, watch Rob Roy. Such a wonderfully made film that does not get enough love.
100% this. When it comes to "Scottish history" movies, everyone only remembers Braveheart, but Rob Roy is a better film IMO. And arguably Rob Roy himself was a more famous historical figure than William Wallace (at least before Braveheart came out). The way they depicted that injury in the final duel (no spoilers)... I still shudder thinking about that.
Rob Roy is fantastic.
100% agree
Very memorable sword fight.
The Dad Fantasy is right on. Every piece fiction has a fulfillment fantasy angle to it. Otherwise it would be a documentary. Every father has things they can't protect their children from that they also can't do anything about. This movie gives us a chance to feel how it would be to save them from the ultimate evil.
His "paranoia" isn't paranoia at all. The harsh reality is that human trafficking and slavery is worse now than it's ever been at any point in history. Living in the west in relative safety, people are completely unaware of just how dangerous it really is. And this movie, as disturbing as it is, barely scratches the surface on the absolute horrors that go on in these operations.
This movie doesn't paint an accurate picture to how it works though. Many organizations that fight it have said that over the years. Most people, especially on UA-cam and social media that pretend to care about the problem don't listen to that though.
@@Zack_410 **gasp** You mean that Hollywood dramatized it? NO WAYYYYY THAT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF ANY MOVIE EVAR
Also, more people care about it than you think, my cynical little friend. It's just that most of us are powerless to do anything about it.
That doesn't make any sense because Western Europe is part of the "west" and the countries on her map are statistically far safer than the US. As long as he has raised her properly she is far safer in France than in the US.
Yes, I think where the movie skews reality is that his daughter was trafficked in Europe. There is enough trafficking right here in America that statistically she would have been in more danger here!
I definitely get the grievances of Liam Neeson’s character. I wouldn’t send my daughter out of the country if that was the circumstance. If it was to my home country where I have lots of family then that would be a different story.
She'd probably be safer, anywhere outside the States to be honest.
@@philjones45 You can't possibly mean it.
@@SrFenixify Oh I do. Look at the murder rates in Europe compared to the States!!
@@philjones45 That's Europe, but you said "anywhere outside the States".
@@philjones45…which parts of Europe?
Because there are some real shitholes in Europe.
This is the only exceptional movie in the series, but it’s a pretty damn good one.
Why is your response listed as 8 days ago? When in my timeline and the reactors page it says 2 hrs ago when this movie was first shown? Perhaps a standard clip & paste response.
Because channels give early access to Patreon members their comments are older than the youtube release date.
@@truthguide1742 Hence why there are 600 comments on a 4 hour old video. Someone has already said it, but UA-camrs set videos as unlisted and share the link to Patreon members early
Before I even watch the video, I want to say I love your shirt Simone
Nah, that shirt is garbage
I would never, ever allow my underage daughter to go to Europe unsupervised. Not overprotective at all.
Don't worry, if you did allow your underage daughter to go to Europe, Luc Besson would probably just impregnate and marry her himself, he's a famous director so nobody seems to care
One of my favorite Liam Neeson movies is "The Grey". Not a huge hit by any stretch, but a solid watch that's also my "I miss winter" movie that I usually rewatch every summer.
Criminally underrated! Great movie. His best I think actually.
Consider reacting to the 1993 action thriller "In the Line of Fire" starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich. Eastwood plays a Secret Service agent and Malkovich brilliantly plays an assassin.
Absolutely. It is one of my favorite movies. Eastwood and Malkovich are perfect for their roles.
George, the "shower thought" perfect answer is called "l'esprit d'escalier" which my Significant Other translates as "the spirit of the staircase". The words you think of as you leave. I find it a little more descriptive than "shower thoughts." Shower thoughts, for me, is more when you get that distant, thinking look in your eyes and solve the whole puzzle coming up with the perfect plan. The first happens to us all. The second often signals lazy writing.
The first part of the movie hits different now after my last vacation. No kidnapping involved, but I was at Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany when the horiffic attack on those two young American tourists happened and I had been hiking at the crime scene with my family one day earlier. Two young women traveling to Europe to celebrate, only to fall victim to a terrible crime and only one returning home...
what happened?
The murderer was an american as well. so weird. Really a horrific deed
@@playthroughcinema A male American tourist lured two young female American tourists off the usual footpath and assaulted one of them. Her friend tried to help her, a struggle ensued and he pushed both of them into a 50m deep ravine. One was lucky and was only lightly injured, her friend didn't make it and died in the hospital.
@@playthroughcinema Two American tourists in their early twenties were brutally attacked in an attempted sexual assault by another American tourist. They had just met him shortly before on the tour. He lured them away, supposedly for a good view, and then he savagely attacked them. They fell into a deep ravine during the struggle, sustaining major injuries. He ran away. Police eventually caught him. And as Quallenkrauler said, one of the girls later died of her injuries. Tragic, all around. Even for the tour group who saw them mangled on the ground after their fall. That's not something any of them are going to be able to forget.
@@Quallenkrauler it's kinda odd that they just meet and he's attacking them so soon and that he'd try to attack two at once... makes me think he's done it before.
That, "I need *you* to be focused!" line is sooo good.
24:45. "That was a choice" - Simone 😂😂
Deadpool said it welll :D "They made three of those movies. At some point you have to wonder if he's just a bad parent"
Ryan Reynolds has a line in I believe "Deadpool" about the multiple "Taken" movies that is hilarious. He says something to the effect of "At some point you just have to ask yourself if he is a bad father?".
"I was having the Liam Neeson dream again" 😂
It's not clearly stated, but it's heavily implied that Liam was a member of the CIAs Special Activities Division. Which is basically the Special Forces of the CIA.
You guys should do Fallen. A seriously underrated film by Denzel Washington
I agree! That movie is crazy!
@@TheFairyintheFishBowl hopefully, they'll see this.
@@jaydisqus3353 yes, I think they might…I believe that over time the gems that were made will certainly pop up!
Preventer you prevent the threat(s) before or stop them as they are in progress
Avenger only after said event. Pay back for major losses Cant protect the world we'll be damn sure we'll avenge it. - tony
Revenger payback for said event. Usually personal.
She was 17, sheltered, a bit immature and unprepared. I don't think he was paranoid, I think he was cautious. If they had been preparing her for travel, educating her on what to look out for and had a trusted local person as a contact point, then that would have been different.
The friend who was in Saving Private Ryan was also in Seven. He was the guy forced to wear the knife “thing”
I feel that the mom was a little harsh. I would never let a child of mine outside the country without a lot more supervision and people. Taken 2 is actually my favorite!
France is safer than the US
Mine too!
Love that guillotine joke - shows a sharp wit!
"These are the U2 european tour dates.." EW! Couldn't stop laughing 😂😂
Great reaction as always my guys, keep up the good work youve been doing all this time - always good to open youtube and see a new reaction from you two
I remember when Apple forced everyone to own their album, it was that bad
@_BangDroid_ Can't believe people went nuts over such a small thing. As if a nuclear war had been started or something. Why even waste energy on that? Of course, people like that never think they're overreacting and think they're being completely rational. There are bigger and more important things in the world.
12:22 and he was the dude that wore that silver thingy in Se7en (1995).
He wasn't wearing a leather jacket for fashion, but a full grain leather jacket, like his in the movie, offer good concealment within and good protection layer.
Speaking as a dad this is the penultimate Dad Film.
The French Kevin Spacey line killed me. Perfect description of that guy.
Late comment.
Love your reactions.
Liam Neeson was an ex-boxer who went on to become helluva actor
and an Oscar nominee (Schindler's List, 1993).
20 years plus into his career, the TAKEN franchise made him the new thinking man's action hero.
The phone call scene is unforgettable and major selling point of the movie in it's first trailer.
As well it's a real human being striking out against the real life travesty of human trafficking.
Following the film's success, there was a much bigger crackdown by authorities on sex slavery.
Shoutout to y'all for watching the unrated version.
Part 2 is as good as the first film.
Part 3 is decisive for not being a good final chapter.
There was a prequel tv series on NBC (2018-2019) for 2 seasons.
The creators of the franchise, Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen got more gems:
Kiss of The Dragon (2001) & Unleashed (2005) with Jet Li, Columbiana with Zoe Saldana (2011)
and The Transporter trilogy with Jason Statham (2002-2008).
Check these out if you can.
Another really really fantastic Liam Neeson movie is The Grey, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s amazing.
I have to assume George co-wrote this movie with Luc Besson. He predicted key plot points so well.
A man with his background and life and age is cemented in his personality. There is no more growth, he is who he is. A flowery ending or personal epithany would not match the tone or texture of this movie!!!!
I don't know about Canadians, but viewers from the UK immediately recognised the pop singer, from Aussie soap opera Neighbours! Which was also the launching pad for one "Kylie Minogue"...
It’s crazy that this is actually happening right now minus the hero’s.
@@danholmesfilm Yup!
@@danholmesfilm oh yeah that’s on my list. Watch Trafficked with Mila Sorvino
I've said it before I'll say it again ... who's driving the boat .
You two need to watch some early Liam Neeson films. The three I'd suggest are Krull, Excalibur and Darkman.
Rob Roy....
Great reaction! Another good Neeson film is Rob Roy. It's about a Scotsman turned rebel in medieval Scotland against the Redcoats.
I liked your guillotine joke. Don’t let anyone say it was dumb. :)
As an Englishmen, I got it instantly and found it very funny.
30:08 I've always thought it'd be funny to see crossover movies
Taken meet X-Men
It's the same exact movie but way shorter, because the mother is dr. Jean grey and she just literally ripped the mines apart of all those involved movies like 24 minutes
Just like true blood a lot of people didn't realize the lead waitress character is rogue from the X-Men. So I always thought it would be funny if she had rogues powers for the true blood series.
Vampires and werewolves try to come at her and she just sucks all their magic
As someone that has been to 12 different countries the dad was not being over protective in the slightest. I hope my 17 year old daughter wants to do this one day. I will laugh in her face and her moms face 😂😂😂 Great movie however! Best of the trilogy easily.
Edit: War in the comments apparently. Y'all have fun with that, I'm out 😂😂
Exactly!!! He sees danger everywhere because it is everywhere! Difference is he is trained to see it!
@@nlsmason9466 it's sad but very true. I spent 8 years in the army going all over the world. Not saying my country, America, is ultra safe because honestly every place has risks. But traveling to foreign countries where you can't speak or read the language and don't know the culture it's very easy to get in trouble fast without even realizing it.
So you wait till she is 18 (or 21?) and then it's somehow different? Like those few years will make her much more mature?
@@Jehty_ I joined the military at 17. I fully understand at 17 years old some people are smart enough to handle themselves. Most are not however. Teenagers are coddled in this day and age. If you think 17 years of age is old enough to run around doing whatever you want then I'm sorry for you. I never regret joining the military but at 17? That was a 17 year olds mistake. And yes by the time I hit 19-20 I was far wiser.
@@raziel6896 you were fare wiser because you made those experiences in the 3 years before turning 20.
Without these experiences you would have been the same teenager at 20 as your were at 17....
the singer is Holly Valance known for the Australian TV show Neighbours and is a singer too
I don't recommend the other Taken movies as good, though reacting to them could still be fun.
Personally, I prefer Commando as the superior version of this story. But I grew up with that movie. So I might be a little bit biased...
Neither of the sequels are as good as this, but I really hope you guys still do reactions to them as they're still entertaining and have great action.
Great reaction. Concerning Paris, it is a pretty savage city insecurity wise. It's even worse now.
My headcanon tagline: “They took the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, Qui Gon Jinn, Zeus, Aslan, Oskar Schindler, Godfrey de Ibelin and Hannibal Smith. What did they think was gonna happen?!”
Also, Leland Orser is one of my favourite character actors! He has a great line in traumatised/vulnerable characters, as seen in Saving Private Ryan, Alien: Resurrection and especially Se7en!
Don’t bother with 2 & 3 😂
That friend of his that was on the phone and the pilot in Saving Private Ryan has turned in so many good performances in small roles. He was also the "Lust" John in Seven.
Like most franchises, "Taken" starts out really strong. Then came the sequels "2Taken" and "Taken: LA Drift."
I didn't mind the 3rd
The fourth is gonna be "Taken 4 Granted".
My favourite Liam movie is Rob Roy. Omg add it to your list please!
Not every main character has to have an arc or change, this is the type of story about the characters around him change and have an arc. This "guardian angel" type of story is perfect for action heroes.
You got my instant like on this reaction when George says Iugh to U2. Same George, same 😂
You know, considering this is essentially "CIA is fucking awesome and it's cool to let them do whatever if it's "important"." - the movie, it's an entertaining watch. The sequels were basically awful cash grabs.
This is the best of the three for sure. I'm not saying to avoid the next two, just that you've seen the high point with this one.
you guys really need to watch Luc Besson's first major film - La Femme Nikita. Do you watch subtitled films on the channel? It's an amazing film.
And La Grande Bleu 1988 💙
Taxi 1998, is also a fun movie to check out ^^
Just don't watch the US remake.
The guy who famously impregnated a 15 year old when he was over 30, his first film is about a teenage junkie and features sex scenes? Colour me shocked.
The other Taken movies are worth seeing for sure. I think you guys would enjoy watching them.
I think it is a middle aged dad wish fulfillment movie. There’s a whole genre of this hyper-competence porn where middle aged guys (like me) can see other middle aged guys become heroes saving their family. I can’t remember if you’ve done it, but for a great bad-a** dad movie you should check out “Nobody.”
Or on a tangent, "a history of violence"
Nobody is very fun movie.
“Well, he just turned into a Pez dispenser “. Just made me laugh like crazy.
that line comes from "Sin City".... " she turned him into a PEZ dispenser...."
This is by far the best of the three movies. I also think that the Taken trilogy is the perfect example of why the 12A (the UK equivalent of the US PG-13, although I see that Canada's film ratings are similar to ours) is killing the action movie genre. Taken was an 18 rated movie in the UK and between the torture, overdose and the other incredibly heavy subject matter, it more than earns that rating. Taken 2 doesn't have anywhere near as heavy stuff going on and the violence is toned down a bit, so is a 15 rating. Taken 3 has no heavy subject matter, almost cartoonish violence and is a 12A. It's also comfortably the worst of the three! So many action movies are chasing the 12A rating these days that movies like this aren't really made anyone, for better or worse.
An 18 year old restricted movie, that can help 15-17yr olds to become aware of things existing. Seems counterproductive.
Violence on film or videogames is something a 10 year old can differ from reality.
Helicoptering kids is just stupid.
I hate that they did two more Taken films as it massively took away from the original and the important message. Even as the first Taken film approached the end, it started getting cartooney but I was fully invested by that point. The second and third were such clear studio cash grabs
18:08 - "Apparently car doors are terrible... Doesn't block bullets at all." - That's reality, in movies, car doors are a 100% impenetrable bullet shield.
28:52 - "See, that's where I would have reloaded and tried that kill again." - I've done that too many times to count. Playing through GoldenEye64 with a mouse and keyboard (emulated), I replayed the mission on a ship until I was able to do it by stealth killing every single enemy.