Taken Blu-ray Review

Twentieth Century Fox presents "Taken" in a stunning 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, framed at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. This Blu-ray edition offers a natural, film-like aesthetic with a gritty European feel, characterized by pleasing levels of grain. Daylight scenes are particularly impressive, delivering high contrast and vivid detail that elevate the movie's razor-sharp image quality in High Definition. Darker scenes show a slight increase in grain, leading to a minor loss of finer detail and sharpness, though this is not significantly distracting.

Colors in this Blu-ray presentation are bold and vivid, boasting a diverse palette that harnesses the higher fidelity of high definition. While flesh tones can appear rosy and the overall palette slightly warm, these elements do not detract significantly from the experience. Contrast is well-balanced, enhancing brightness without compromising visibility in low-light scenes. Blacks are inky and maintain gradational quality, providing excellent depth and detail in shadows and corners.

Overall, "Taken" on Blu-ray is a technically robust effort from Fox. It achieves an almost reference-quality presentation with strong, lifelike colors, tremendous depth, and exceptional levels of detail—whether in the fine lines on faces or the textures of materials like pavement and stone walkways. The seamless melding of vivid colors, sharp detail, and dynamic contrast results in a high definition experience that captures the cinematic atmosphere reminiscent of theater screenings. Despite minor niggles such as occasional grain prominence in darker scenes and slightly warm complexions, this high definition encode is exemplary and reinforces Fox's reputation for top-notch Blu-ray transfers.

The Blu-ray edition of "Taken" boasts a Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48Khz/24-bit) soundtrack that sets a high standard in home audio entertainment. The soundtrack excels in clarity and precision, producing a consistently immersive experience. The sound engineers have successfully leveraged every channel, ensuring the rear channels are actively engaged, thereby filling the entire soundstage. The result is a dynamic and expansive audio field that captures the listener’s attention from start to finish. This meticulous engineering avoids the common pitfall of becoming an overpowering audio mix, delivering instead a balanced yet aggressive sonic experience that perfectly complements the action on screen.

The surround channels are utilized effectively, creating a 360-degree web of sound that significantly enhances key scenes, from high-octane car chases to intense hand-to-hand combat. Dialogue is exceptionally clear through the center channel, with precise front channel separation and imaging. This allows for clear directional correlation of sound based on onscreen events. The bass response is powerful, reaching ultra-low depths occasionally, yet remains clean and tight. Although mixed on the hot side, the LFE channel provides impactful, visceral low-frequency effects that add weight to the action sequences without being overwhelming.

Throughout the film, environmental sounds and musical ambience are seamlessly integrated into the mix, enhancing the realism and creating a more engaging viewing experience. Whether it’s the subtle nuances in a restaurant scene or the explosive intensity of gunshots and rock-infused score elements, every sound is delivered with lifelike clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack on this Blu-ray makes "Taken" a standout audiovisual experience, reinforcing its place as a reference-grade home theater presentation that action fans will undoubtedly appreciate.

The Blu-ray release of "Taken" includes a diverse selection of extras that are carefully designed to enhance the viewer's experience. The package contains both the theatrical and unrated versions of the film. Two commentary tracks are presented, one with Director Pierre Morel, Cinematographer Michel Abramowicz, and Michel Julienne in French, and another with Writer Robert Mark Kamen in English. Both tracks dive deep into the film’s visual style, action sequences, character depth, and specific details about the script and production process. The "Black Ops Field Manual" provides an engaging picture-in-picture feature exclusive to the unrated version, sharing mission progress and various trivia pop-ups. The "Le Making Of" featurette offers a standard behind-the-scenes look, while "Avant Premiere" includes footage from the film’s premiere. The "Inside Action: Side by Side Comparison" showcases raw versus final scenes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director Pierre Morel and Team: French commentary discussing visual style.
• Commentary by Writer Robert Mark Kamen: English commentary focused on the script's development.
• Black Ops Field Manual: PiP feature with mission progress and trivia.
• Le Making Of: Behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Avant Premiere: Footage from the film’s premiere.
• Inside Action: Side by Side Comparison: Comparison of raw footage and final scenes.
• Trailer – Notorious: Promotional trailer.
• Digital Copy Bonus Disc: A standard definition version for portable devices.

"Taken" is a relentless thriller that pushes the boundaries of the action genre with its unyielding pace and raw emotion. Liam Neeson stars as Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative whose life takes a harrowing turn when his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), is abducted in Paris by an Albanian criminal organization. The film masterfully balances intense sequences of hand-to-hand combat, shootouts, and rapid chases, delivering a visceral experience that keeps viewers on edge. Director Pierre Morel’s approach captures both the grit and the slickness of modern action films, reminiscent of classics like "Die Hard" but with a contemporary veneer.

Neeson's portrayal of Mills adds significant weight to the narrative, blending his character's steely resolve with underlying heartache. His performance during the pivotal kidnapping scene, where he commands attention through a tension-filled phone call with his daughter, stands out as particularly evocative and sets the emotional tone for the rest of the film. The plot, while harboring certain conveniences that guide Bryan’s quest, does not detract from the urgent drive and furious intensity that permeate each moment.

The film’s greatest strength lies in its ability to immerse the audience in Bryan's desperate mission, transforming a father’s determined search into a universally gripping pursuit. "Taken" excels in presenting antagonists who are uncompromisingly depicted as heinous, making their eventual defeat deeply satisfying. The movie’s expert staging of action sequences, combined with its emotional undertones, ensures that it remains engaging and impactful throughout, truly reflecting the high stakes and raw energy that define superior action cinema.

"Taken," directed by Pierre Morel, revitalizes the action genre with its high-octane pace and emotionally gripping storyline. Centered around the lengths a father will go to save his daughter, Liam Neeson's portrayal of Bryan Mills brings a haunting realism to the role, rooted in unconditional love and sheer determination. The film's simplicity is both its strength and its charm, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in the raw and visceral experience that unfolds. While the narrative doesn't shy away from violence and emotional turmoil, these elements underscore the film's gritty authenticity rather than detract from it.

The Blu-ray release of "Taken" is a testament to 20th Century Fox's commitment to top-tier audio-visual quality. The picture is crisp, detailed, and impressively vivid, making full use of high-definition technology. The audio track is equally superb, offering an almost cinematic experience within the confines of your home theater. Notably, the disc includes two versions of the film; however, the only distinction lies in an additional two minutes of content in one version. Unfortunately, the supplemental extras on this Blu-ray are somewhat lacking, particularly for enthusiasts who might have expected more behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, "Taken" is a gritty, engaging, and well-paced thriller that is guaranteed to leave viewers wanting more. Kill or be killed is the motto of the day and this guy is not going to let anything or anyone stand in his way as he sets about dishing out his own variety of justice. Liam Neeson has done exceptionally well here and delivered the goods. It’s a film that might be overshadowed by its violent moments for some, yet it remains thoroughly compelling. As a Blu-ray package, it makes all the right noises for a purchase despite its lack of substantial extras. With potential sequels on the horizon, this release is bound to get plenty of re-runs, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection. Highly recommended.