Neeson in chilling thriller

MANILA, Philippines - Whether it is his Academy Award nominated role of Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg’s highly-acclaimed Schindler’s List (1993), his award-winning portrayal of legendary Irish Republican hero in Michael Collins (1996), or his role as controversial sex therapist Alfred Kinsey in the critically-acclaimed Kinsey (2004), Liam Neeson continues to display an acting range matched by few. In his new movie Taken, Liam plays an ex-government operative who has less than four days to find his kidnapped daughter.

“I don’t know you who you are. I don’t know what you want. If you’re looking for a ransom, I can tell you, I don’t have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills acquired over a very long career in the shadows, skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that will be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you. And I will kill you.”

With these chilling words to a member of a band of kidnappers, former government operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) begins the longest 96-hours of his life — and the hunt for the fearsome organization that has taken his daughter Kim. Mills had only recently given up his government career to be near Kim (Maggie Grace) who lives with Bryan’s ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) and her new husband.

To direct Taken, Besson hired Pierre Morel, who had helmed the internationally-acclaimed action film District B13, which introduced the martial art parkour — a gorgeously choreographed, propulsive fighting style — to movie fans around the globe.

Neeson is a fascinating, unconventional choice to portray an action hero. But at the same time, the gravity and complexity he brings to the role of Bryan Mills provides added depth to Taken which constantly flirts with the codes of the genre. In a manner that’s original for a thriller, Mills is initially defined by his love for his daughter rather than his past as a secret agent. This aspect of the character and of the story was a significant factor in Neeson agreeing to take on the role.

See Neeson as he turns from one warm-hearted father to cold-blooded killer as Taken opens in theaters beginning March 11 from VIVA International Pictures.