...it's small wonder that Steven "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" Spielberg was the guy riding shotgun on this production, not to mention the wide range of acting, directing, and production talent who collaborated to bring this baby to fruition. Just to mention a few: exacting art direction by Chris "Minority Report" Gorak; stellar DP work from Joel "The X-Files" Ransom and Jonathan "Possible Worlds" Freeman; tight direction from the likes of Tobe "Invaders From Mars" Hooper, Jeremy "Roswell" Kagan, and numerous others with shows like "The X-Files," "Dark Angel," and "The Outer Limits" under their belts; effective special effects and make-up from the Dreamworks team; last but not least, some prime performances from a generation-spanning cast, capped off by an exquisite turn from rising star (pun fully intended), Dakota "I Am Sam" Fanning. All of these efforts build on the foundation of a well-structured script from Leslie Bohem, a writer who unfortunately has yet to be attached to a successful film beyond "A Nightmare on Elm Stree: Dream Warriors." I won't belabor the plot, other than to mention that it covers most all the bases in modern UFO mythology. The core of the tale is the various human (and alien) relationships that form over the course of the half century or so in which it unfolds, and for the most part these are handled very well indeed. Characterizations are consistent and believable within the context of the fantastical content, with only occasional lapses in logic beyond the obvious ones that afflict the genre (like, just how does the government keep a tight lid on a cover-up that involves hundreds if not thousands of personnel, but never mind, that takes the fun out of the telling of it). I watched it twice on DVD with a number of years between viewings, and liked it both times, particularly enjoying the precocious talents of Ms. Fanning.
Probably the only real complaint I'd lodge would be against the typically Spielbergian, highly manipulative score by Laura Karpman. I think the show might have been all the more impressive without such overt plucking of heartstrings and sluicing of tear ducts.
Regardless, "Taken" is a fine piece of work, very engaging, and if nothing else, helped propel Ms. Fanning into the ranks of acting stardom. Recommended to all fans of the genre.
Probably the only real complaint I'd lodge would be against the typically Spielbergian, highly manipulative score by Laura Karpman. I think the show might have been all the more impressive without such overt plucking of heartstrings and sluicing of tear ducts.
Regardless, "Taken" is a fine piece of work, very engaging, and if nothing else, helped propel Ms. Fanning into the ranks of acting stardom. Recommended to all fans of the genre.