Taken (2008): What was that?

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I agree, I don't understand all the hate for this movie. It was a great action movie. All of the supporting cast did just fine. They did what they needed to do. The movie was a showcase for the main character played by Neeson.

As for no replay, I've already seen it twice and can't wait to pick it up on blu.

The film is subpar. It is satisfying only in spurts. So, I think it's disappointment rather than hate. At least, in my case.. I haven't read the other reponses.

[GreenScar]

Sorry Bruce. You're wrong. About Taken.

Thank you.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Explain the supporting cast in Commando. Any of them.

I can. It's called tone. Commando (1986) is an epic junk opus in about 90 minutes. The 'acting' is all on the same level. From Arnold: all the way down... To compare Taken to Commando, is insulting to Commando.

Commando is perfect escapism. It has a tone, some critics hate. But to many, including myself, (for what it is) Commando is stellar. The film has great structure. The pacing is superb. The last half-an-hour is textbook. Only a snob would find Commando and Taken, similar.

Taken, is 20 minutes overlong, has a poor first third, and no real villain. The mysterious voice is revealed as mere henchman. You have the typical, "It was only business," spiel. That most Hollywood baddies cop to. Monsters Vs. Aliens (2009) comes to mind. The film has fantastic action, surrounded by lots of fat. Blah, blah, blah, "I'm in a chair now." Blah, blah, blah, "Here's your plane ticket." Blah, blah, blah... even some of the action is nakedly obvious. Neeson hooked up to a loose fixture. Which then, becomes a weapon...

Commando embraces its dialogue. It doesn’t take itself seriously, unlike Taken. It knows it’s a farce, and plays it up: for maximum effect. It’s all about emphasis. Commando does it with economy (and cheer). Taken is grave and talkative; which is harmful, to this kind of genre.

Commando isn’t Shakespeare. But compared to Taken, it absolutely is.

If you don’t believe me, watch Commando again. The theatrical cut… it has aged well.

Thank You.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

Sorry Bruce. You're wrong. About Taken.

Thank you.

In what way? Or you mean your opinion?

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

In what way? Or you mean your opinion?

No, your opinion.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

I can. It's called tone. Commando (1986) is an epic junk opus in about 90 minutes. The 'acting' is all on the same level. From Arnold: all the way down... To compare Taken to Commando, is insulting to Commando.

Commando is perfect escapism. It has a tone, some critics hate. But to many, including myself, (for what it is) Commando is stellar. The film has great structure. The pacing is superb. The last half-an-hour is textbook. Only a snob would find Commando and Taken, similar.

Taken, is 20 minutes overlong, has a poor first third, and no real villain. The mysterious voice is revealed as mere henchman. You have the typical, "It was only business," spiel. That most Hollywood baddies cop to. Monsters Vs. Aliens (2009) comes to mind. The film has fantastic action, surrounded by lots of fat. Blah, blah, blah, "I'm in a chair now." Blah, blah, blah, "Here's your plane ticket." Blah, blah, blah... even some of the action is nakedly obvious. Neeson hooked up to a loose fixture. Which then, becomes a weapon...

Commando embraces its dialogue. It doesn’t take itself seriously, unlike Taken. It knows it’s a farce, and plays it up: for maximum effect. It’s all about emphasis. Commando does it with economy (and cheer). Taken is grave and talkative; which is harmful, to this kind of genre.

Commando isn’t Shakespeare. But compared to Taken, it absolutely is.

If you don’t believe me, watch Commando again. The theatrical cut… it has aged well.

Thank You.

Why did you post this twice?

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

No, your opinion.

"Games must we?" What is your opinion?

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Neeson hooked up to a loose fixture. Which then, becomes a weapon...

Arnold out of bullets surounded by bad guys, crawls into a shed. Which then, becomes a weapon...

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Arnold out of bullets surounded by bad guys, crawls into a shed. Which then, becomes a weapon...

That was done: tongue-in-cheek. As I said, tone....

Taken, took the way he escaped: seriously. That's the difference.

You telling me, you expected something else from 80's Arnold??

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

"Games must we?" What is your opinion?

I guess I'm the Anti Bruce is all (and you the anti Jason). I watch movies and find things I enjoy about them, you seem to watch them to find things to dislike about them.

It's all good. I would just hate to be bound as you do yourself. But to each his own.

If you click the "search this forum" tab and then type in "Taken Neeson" you will get at least 5 to 7 threads on Taken. There's plenty to read there.

Have a great Saturday. and enjoy a movie today.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

That was done: tongue-in-cheek. As I said, tone....

Taken, took the way he escaped: seriously. That's the difference.

You telling me, you expected something else from 80's Arnold??

Of course not, I don't expect anything more than entertainment from an action movie. Which is why I can enjoy Taken, I'm not expecting an Oscar caliber movie, regardless of the talent of the star. The only person taking Taken() seriously appears to be you.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I guess I'm the Anti Bruce is all (and you the anti Jason). I watch movies and find things I enjoy about them, you seem to watch them to find things to dislike about them.

It's all good. I would just hate to be bound as you do yourself. But to each his own.

If you click the "search this forum" tab and then type in "Taken Neeson" you will get at least 5 to 7 threads on Taken. There's plenty to read there.

Have a great Saturday. and enjoy a movie today.

Well, I can understand what Bruce is saying for the most part, because I agree. Besides Liam Niessen, there is not much to like about the film at all.

Unrealistic plot structure, terrible acting by both Famke Jensen and the daughter, Maggie Grace, terrible writing in portraying not only the daughter, but in portraying Famke Jensen's character as well.

I mean in all honesty a woman of her age should understand that 2 girls in Europe by themselves is not safe, and her character is just like essentially saying to let them live a little. Meanwhile Liam Niessen is the only character with a voice of reason. And he is made out to be a bad father because of this? I mean come on.

There is MAJOR difference between taking a film too seriously and a film that suffers from these issues resulting in someone not liking it. Consider a film that presents philosophical viewpoints and someone who debates those forever and decides to follow them. That would be taking a film too seriously.

The flaws in Taken make it difficult for film aficionados to enjoy it. It is important to have a suspension of disbelief when going to the movie, but at the same time a movie has to keep my attention and be realistic and offer decent writing and decent performances.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by ckent22

The flaws in Taken make it difficult for film snobs to enjoy it. It is important to have a suspension of disbelief when going to the movie, but at the same time a movie has to keep my attention and be realistic and offer decent writing and decent performances.

Fixed.

I can only guess that you are very young. Or you maybe you don't get out much (out of your circle). I have known people like Leonore and Kim. I've also known people like his friends he has in the movie. I didn't see the problem you saw because of that I guess.

Everything you state is your opinion. Everything I state is mine. Like I said, to each his own. I was able to connect with Bryan Mills in the first 1/4 of the movie, hence I went for the ride and had a hell of a time.

Some of you are over thinking Taken way too much. But again, to each their own.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

Fixed.

I can only guess that you are very young. Or you maybe you don't get out much (out of your circle). I have known people like Leonore and Kim. I've also known people like his friends he has in the movie.

Everything you state is your opinion. Everything I state is mine. Like I said, to each his own. I was able to connect with Bryan Mills in the first 1/4 of the movie, hence I went for the ride and had a hell of a time.

Some of you are over thinking Taken way too much. But again, to each their own.

You didn't read my post at all then. Refer back to my post. There is a difference between over thinking and flaws in a film that make it difficult to watch.

I know a lot of young people who want freedom anyway they can get it. But, I honestly don't know of a single mother who is happy for her daughter to be alone in another country with just her friend who is also a girl. I mean I don't. Maybe you do.

Also, you can stop the insult. Because, just because you think this is a great movie and I don't doesn't make you right.

Everything I pointed out above are flaws that you can try to argue, but they are just too hard to over come to enjoy the film.

As far as me being young, I am 23 and I can pretty much guarantee that not only have I seen more films then you, but I know what a decent action film is and Taken is not one of them.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by ckent22

You didn't read my post at all then. Refer back to my post. There is a difference between over thinking and flaws in a film that make it difficult to watch.

I know a lot of young people who want freedom anyway they can get it. But, I honestly don't know of a single mother who is happy for her daughter to be alone in another country with just her friend who is also a girl. I mean I don't. Maybe you do.

Also, you can stop the insult. Because, just because you think this is a great movie and I don't doesn't make you right.

Everything I pointed out above are flaws that you can try to argue, but they are just too hard to over come to enjoy the film.

As far as me being young, I am 23 and I can pretty much guarantee that not only have I seen more films then you, but I know what a decent action film is and Taken is not one of them.

For you to enjoy the film. I didn't see them as flaws and really enjoyed it. But, to each their own.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by Rob71

For you to enjoy the film. I didn't see them as flaws and really enjoyed it. But, to each their own.

And most critics and to people who like movies to be realistic.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by ckent22

And most critics and to people who like movies to be realistic.

Well I don't tie my enjoyment of films to critics opinions. And if reality is required for you to enjoy a film... Good luck with that.

[ckent22]

Originally Posted by Rob71

Well I don't tie my enjoyment of films to critics opinions. And if reality is required for you to enjoy a film... Good luck with that.

I've seen lots of films that are realistic. Haven't you?

I don't always agree with critics, but in this case they are right about it being unrealistic.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by ckent22

You didn't read my post at all then. Refer back to my post. There is a difference between over thinking and flaws in a film that make it difficult to watch. They are flaws to YOU because you are over thinking them IMO.

I know a lot of young people who want freedom anyway they can get it. But, I honestly don't know of a single mother who is happy for her daughter to be alone in another country with just her friend who is also a girl. I mean I don't. Maybe you do. I already said I did. Read my post. Someday, I'm sure you will too.

Also, you can stop the insult. Because, just because you think this is a great movie and I don't doesn't make you right. If you took the snob comment as an insult, then you are one (ever hear the truth hurts?). Your comment of "film aficionados" that I fixed was your attempt to separate yourself from others in the thread that liked the movie (by putting yourself above them). Maybe you didn't intend it that way but that's what you did. If you were referring to something else, you'll have to let me know.

Everything I pointed out above are flaws that you can try to argue, but they are just too hard to over come to enjoy the film. Again, to you they are flaws. Fine. IYO. IMO they are not.

As far as me being young, I am 23 and I can pretty much guarantee that not only have I seen more films then you, but I know what a decent action film is and Taken is not one of them. I can guarantee that you have not. I can also guarantee years from now you will look back at your 23 year old self and realize how wrong you were. You have a lot of living to do. Try to enjoy it.

Enjoy a movie.

[Sussudio]

i think everyone's forgetting something: it's a fiction movie