Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen
Taken (also known as 96 Hours and The Hostage) is a 2008 French action-thriller film written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen and directed by Pierre Morel. The film stars Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Katie Cassidy, Leland Orser, and Holly Valance.
Liam Neeson stars as Bryan Mills, a former CIA agent who embarks on a relentless mission to save his teenage daughter Kim (Grace) and her best friend Amanda (Cassidy). The two girls are kidnapped by an Albanian human trafficking network while they are on holiday in France.
The film was released in France on February 27, 2008, via EuropaCorp, and then in the United States on January 30, 2009, via 20th Century Fox. Taken has grossed over $226 million worldwide. Despite mixed reviews, the film is widely considered a turning point in Neeson’s career, cementing his status as an action star.
As the first installment in the Taken franchise, the film was followed by two sequels: Taken 2 in 2012 and Taken 3 in 2014. A television series, which aired in 2017 on NBC, explored the origins of Bryan Mills, played by Clive Standen. The story also delves into Bryan’s efforts to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter, Kim, who lives with her mother (Bryan’s ex-wife) Lenore and wealthy stepfather Stuart.
While providing security at the Sheerah pop star concert, Bryan saves her from an armed assailant. Grateful for his intervention, Sheerah offers to help Kim pursue her dream of becoming a singer, a goal she had previously ruled out when Bryan brought it up.
Before Bryan can share this opportunity with Kim, she asks for his permission to travel to Paris with her best friend Amanda. At first hesitant for security reasons, Bryan finally agrees. However, at the airport, he discovers that Kim has lied: the girls’ real plan is to follow U2 on their European tour.
Combining intense action, suspense, and emotional depth, Taken captivated audiences around the world and launched a franchise that continues to be celebrated for its gripping narrative and thrilling sequences.