Who knew a story about a former spy's attempt to rescue his daughter from kidnappers could be so compelling? Bryan Mills (Neeson) is a former spy for the American government, a “preventer”, as he calls himself. Bryan retired from the spy game in order to get closer to his estranged daughter, Kim (Grace), who loves him, but never really got to know him. He soon learns that he may have retired a bit too soon, as not long after Kim's 17 ^th birthday, she tells him that she and her friend Amanda (Cassidy) are going on a trip to Paris, France for the summer. Being the protective father he is, Bryan gives Kim an international cell phone, pre-programmed with his number. She'll only get to use it for one call though, whispering in fear as she tells her father that strange men have broken into the apartment she and Amanda are staying in. She and Amanda are then taken.

Calling in some favours from old friends, Bryan finds out who has kidnapped Kim and Amanda, and that he only has an estimated 96 hours to rescue them before they disappear forever, ending up either as drugged up prostitutes on the streets of France or sold as sex slaves to some rich, amoral aristocrat. The rest of the film follows Bryan's violence-filled, blood-stained “romp” through the streets and slums of Paris.

What I found so impecable about the contstruction of Taken 's story and flow is the way it makes sure that you're fully acquainted with the characters before the action gets started. You're also made well aware of Bryan's capabilities as a fighter, so when the time comes for all the action that makes up the majority of the film, it doesn't watching Liam Neeson slamming people's heads into cars, walls, floors, or any other hard objects or surfaces doesn't seem so weird. He's not invincible though, or as young as he used to be, and you're made well aware of that too, as he's not willing to make certain leaps or take certain death defying risks as the younger criminals he's chasing down. The story goes from character introduction, to action, to conclusion. It's simple, but it works, and one thing that drives it along so well is the acting.

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Bryan was nothing but solid. You get the feeling that the character has been through a lot during his life and career, but still has this extremely soft spot for Kim and even his ex-wife, Lenore (Janssen). When it comes time to get down to tracking, interrogation or torture, Bryan turns into man on a mission, and Neeson plays it to a tee. Famke Janssen did a brilliant job as the fed up ex-wife, turned distraught mother, and Maggie Grace and Katie Cassidy did a fine job of playing the standard, excited teenage girls, turned kidnapping victims. Olivier Rabourdin plays Bryan's old French associate. Though his role in the film is minimal, he plays it well. He gives you the feeling that he lived the spy life, but is now nothing more than a self-interested government desk jockey. The rest of the cast, which basically makes up supporting actors and extras, also do a fine job of helping Bryan's journey along.

Taken may work from a very simple premise, but because it is put together so well, it flows, throws more action at you than most people can handle and even manages to deal with some more sensitive issues, including parenting, forced prostitution and government corruption. If you've been looking for a solid, action-packed drama, Taken is it.