Liam Neeson is not your typical action star. With roles in movies like Schindler’s List and Rob Roy, as well as his Zen master turn as Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars, this big, brooding Irishman has brought gravity and depth to his diverse characters.     

Neeson has an intense on-screen presence that makes him a natural leading man. This serves him well in the entertaining Taken, a formulaic action thriller that is elevated by Neeson’s acting. He plays Bryan Mills, a retired government operative—a “preventer” is his cryptic job description—who has hung up his holster to spend more time with his daughter, Kim (the bubbly Maggie Grace). Having neglected his marriage and his daughter’s childhood in service to his country, Mills is looking to make up for lost time. His steely ex-wife (played by Famke Janssen in an underwritten role) thinks he’s too closed off and restrictive. To prove her wrong and not disappoint his 17-year-old daughter, he reluctantly allows Kim to travel to Paris for the summer, where she is abruptly kidnapped by Albanian thugs to be sold into an international white-slavery ring. So much for being an overprotective dad.      

The plot of Taken is simply a contrivance for Mills to show off his many lethal skills. Working his way through a series of bad guys, he draws steadily closer to the whereabouts of his daughter.

Yet for all the pat Hollywood mayhem—the car chases and intricate hand-to-hand combat—the picture works.The direction is fast-paced and convincing. The screenwriters have hit on the perfect premise: a parent’s worst nightmare. Neeson’s anguish and determination are palpable, and he draws you into the adrenaline-fueled story.

And make no mistake, Neeson kicks some serious butt in this movie. It’s a thrill to watch this disciplined actor give in to the dark side. Who knows? This may be a new beginning to an already impressive career.

By Robert Rossiello