The Taken film series began in 2008 and became a global phenomenon. It follows Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative with a "particular set of skills," who goes to extreme lengths to rescue his family from criminals, traffickers, and terrorists across Europe.
| Movie Title | Release Year | Director | Runtime | |-------------|--------------|----------|---------| | Taken | 2008 | Pierre Morel | 93 min | | Taken 2 | 2012 | Olivier Megaton | 98 min | | Taken 3 | 2014 | Olivier Megaton | 115 min |
A TV series sequel (2017) also exists, set 15 years after the first film. Taken Movie Index --39-LINK--39-
As of 2026, availability may vary, but common options include:
Note: Always check your local region for current licensing. The Taken film series began in 2008 and
Taken succeeds because it pairs a lean, relentless plot with a white-knuckle personal motive, tight pacing, and a moral clarity that turns one man’s vengeance into a culturally resonant spectacle.
Begin with the phone call: "It starts with an ordinary thing — a daughter asking permission..." — then move through Mills' transformation from frightened father to inexorable hunter, folding in analysis of cinematography, score, and cultural impact. End with a balanced judgment: Taken is both pulse-poundingly effective and politically blunt; its thrills come with costs worth interrogating. Note: Always check your local region for current licensing
Plot Index:
While in Istanbul, Bryan and his ex-wife Lenore are captured by the father of one of the Albanian kidnappers from the first film. Bryan’s daughter Kim must use her father’s training to help them escape.
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Cast Index (additions):
Box Office: $376.1 million worldwide