The "Taken" series is an English-language French action-thriller franchise created by producer Luc Besson and American screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen. Spanning three films, the franchise follows the relentless journey of Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative with a "very particular set of skills," who repeatedly finds himself having to protect his family from lethal threats. The trilogy grossed a combined worldwide against a total budget of $118 million, cementing its place as a major box office success.
, transforming him from a respected dramatic actor into a bona fide action star. The film's signature monologue, "I will find you, and I will kill you," became a pervasive pop culture meme and is endlessly parodied. The franchise's massive success also spurred a wave of "older-hero" action thrillers and proved the enduring appeal of gritty, efficient revenge narratives.
Marketed with the tagline "It Ends Here," the film concluded the cinematic trilogy by shifting its genre from a rescue thriller to a fugitive-style manhunt. 4. Taken: The Series (2017–2018)
The Taken franchise consists of three action-thriller films, with a fourth installment reportedly in the works. The series follows Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former CIA operative and Green Beret, as he navigates a world of human trafficking, organized crime, and high-stakes action.
The biggest issue is the "Maggie Grace Problem." Grace is a fine actress, but the script requires her character, Kim, to be incompetent for large stretches of the film, only to suddenly become helpful by throwing grenades off rooftops (don't ask). It strains credulity even for an action movie.
