I just saw the film, Taken, this past weekend and had to mention it here. While this is primarily a video game-oriented blog, Taken is the kind of film that you should see if you’re interested in watching a video game-styled movie.
Note that I say video game-styled movie – not a video game-based one. Video games that turn into movies generally aren’t so great, with the latest ones including: Max Payne, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, Hitman, etc. The opposite is true as well, but the transition from movie to video game sometimes isn’t as bad if you don’t count all of the generic kids films.
Taken is a movie that when you watch it, you feel like it could totally be based on a video game, or a video game could be based on it. Thankfully, neither is true. Thus, we can enjoy the film for what it is: a 90 minute action gamer’s thrill ride all on film. R rating for gratuitous violence? Check. Protagonist that is not only intelligent, but a badass that doesn’t take crap from anyone? Check. Tons of action where the protagonist goes around killing dozens of bad guys without even thinking about it? Check.
In a sense, watching this movie is almost like watching someone get the Mile High Club Achievement in Call of Duty 4 without restarting – but through 90 minutes of film. Well, the first segment of the movie is not exactly action-packed, but I forgive it since it needs to set the scene for Liam Neeson to switch into the killer that even Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne may question. Definitely check it out if you’re in the mood for a thrilling film that bears many similarities to a video game without being constrained by one. Apparently it did so well that a sequel is already in the works!
