Taken (Extended Cut)

4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,021 customer reviews)
Get even more pulse-pounding action in this special extended cut of Taken! When his estranged daughter is kidnapped in Paris, a former spy (Liam Neeson) sets out to find her at any cost. Relying on his special skills, he tracks down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launches a ... one-man war to bring them to justice and rescue his daughter.
  • Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen
  • Directed by: Pierre Morel
  • Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
  • Release year: 2009
  • Studio: 20th Century Fox
 
 
 
 

Buy movie

1-Click® $9.99
 
 
 
 
 
 
[Send us Feedback]
Have a promotion code? View Balance
Amazon Originals Now Playing, For Free: Watch hilarious comedies and lovable children's pilots from top creators, featuring stars you love, only at Amazon Instant Video. See all the shows and let us know what you think.

New to Amazon Instant Video? Watch your videos on the Kindle Fire HD and hundreds of other devices. See how to watch on your computer, tablet, phone and TV.

Enjoy Unlimited Streaming with Prime Instant Video: Stream over 30,000 movies and TV episodes on virtually any TV with compatible streaming devices starting under $100. Shop now.


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Details
Synopsis: Get even more pulse-pounding action in this special extended cut of Taken! When his estranged daughter is kidnapped in Paris, a former spy (Liam Neeson) sets out to find her at any cost. Relying on his special skills, he tracks down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launches a one-man war to bring them to justice and rescue his daughter.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen
Supporting actors: Leland Orser, Radivoje Bukvic, Mathieu Busson, Holly Valance, Katie Cassidy, Xander Berkeley, Nicolas Giraud, Maggie Grace, Jon Gries, Marc Amyot, Rubens Hyka, Arben Bajraktaraj, Camille Japy, Michel Flash, Fani Kolarova, Goran Kostic, Christophe Kourotchkine, Valentin Kalaj, Nabil Massad, Jalil Naciri
Directed by: Pierre Morel
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2009
Studio: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references and language (cut version)
ASIN: B0026127Y8
Rights & Requirements
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Other Formats and Versions


Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: January 30, 2009
  • MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references and language (cut version)
  • Production Company: EuropaCorp, M6 Films, Grive Productions, Canal+, TPS Star
  • Filming Locations: Jardins du Louvre, Paris 1, Paris, France | Paris 10, Paris, France | Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8, Paris, France | Fremont Mansion - 56 Fremont Place, Los Angeles, California, USA | Los Angeles, California, USA

Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed


Customer Reviews

Love this movie, watched it over and over again. K. BEVERSON  |  246 reviewers made a similar statement
Very good action packed movie. Daniel Q Carlson  |  282 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
574 of 593 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great film - see the movie for its own sake May 15, 2009
By W. Wood
Format:DVD
When I was a soldier stationed in Germany in the 1970s there was a raid on a Turkish-owned bar on the outskirts of Frankfurt A/M. German Polizei and US CID (US Army Criminal Investigation Division) broke up a white slavery ring that had been operating out of the bar for some time. The bar was a way-point in the transportation route of young European girls (preferably blonde) who had been kidnapped throughout Europe and were being smuggled to be sold in the harems and brothels of the Middle and Far East. The police found some twenty girls in the basement of the bar, some from as far away as Denmark and the Netherlands, waiting to be shipped further down the pipeline.

The German police and Interpol had been watching the bar for some time and were hoping to trace the route farther down the track to take down the ringleaders. The white slavers made the mistake of kidnapping the daughter of a US Army colonel whom they thought was a German national. The Colonel learned about the investigation and refused to allow his daughter to be held by the white slavers and victimized so the police could gather intelligence. As it turned out, I learned later, the raid eventually did lead to the disruption of this particular ring because the guys busted talked.

So, when I learned what this film was about I went in with a certain amount of understanding of the subject matter. Let me say here that this film hits the nail on the head in presenting its subject matter and the way young women are victimized by ruthless animals only out to make a buck. (SPOILER) The scenes where they show the young women being made into drug addicts to control them are particularly disturbing to me as I've seen the impact drugs had on young girls working as unlicensed street walkers in Germany (a nation that legalized prostitution to make it "safe"). As disturbing as the film was I am glad I watched it and if I had a daughter (I had all sons) I would make her watch this film when she reached an appropriate age in hopes it would make her more careful in how she behaved when I wasn't around to protect her. This is a film every parent should watch - it is a film every teenaged girl and boy should watch. It's sad, but things like what happens to the girls in this movie go on every day.

Having said that, the next question is, is the movie good?

Well, I've never seen Liam Neeson deliver a bad performance. Even if I didn't like the movie (and he's done a couple turkeys) he has always been superb. No exception here. Sadly, most of the negative comments about this film seem to be from people who don't like action movies. But Neeson elevates this even above the typical action movie. This is a story of family. When I watched Neeson's reaction to what happens to his daughter and his response I imagine it is what Natalie Holloway's daddy wishes he could have done, what every father of a child who has been abducted and brutalized wish they could do.

As a professional soldier and former martial arts instructor I find Neeson's action scenes are superbly executed and realistic. Don't look for a superhero leaping tall buildings with a single bound, but watch an expert, who may not be as young as he once was, doing what he knows best for a good cause. The fights are brutal, ruthless, and efficient, pros doing what they do. Even the violence is understated, brutal, but avoids the spectacular many audience have come to expect. What Neeson does is violent but considering the circumstances and motivation, necessary to save his girl. Great stuff.

The alleged coincidences do not strain or insult the intelligence overmuch, this is an action movie for folks who think. Of course, if you thought "The English Patient" deserved the Best Picture Oscar you'll probably hate this film. Otherwise, it is a don't miss. Neeson brings to the revenge flick empathy and gravitas lacking in other such films.

As I watched the film I thought of that Army colonel fighting Interpol and the German police to save his daughter. I hope he was able to see this film, I think he'd approve.
Was this review helpful to you?
137 of 142 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Besson you've done it again! May 18, 2009
By yenrab
Format:DVD
This is a review for the 2 disc version:
Taken blew me away. It's a tight, well written action flick. Luc Besson wrote and produced this and the character building of Bryan (Neeson) reminds me a lot of "The Cleaner" in Leon: The Professional, which was an earlier work of Besson's. The action reminds me of the Bourne series but more satisfying in a way than Bourne. The first 30 minutes is awkward. But a lot of what Besson writes is awkward, but charmingly awkward. The extended cut is the European cut. They decided the American audience couldn't handle some of the scenes. There is NO nudity in this film at all and none in the extended cut.

But what you get on the 2-disc version and not on the 1-disc is the following:
"The Making of 'Taken'" (18:22) - a featurette of the making of.
"Avant Premiere" (4:37) - video of the premier night in Paris
"Inside Action: Side by Side Comparisons" (11:05) - what it says
Plus, two tracks of commentary.
The second disc is nothing but the digital copy which is extremely annoying.

Is the 2-disc worth it? If you are a hardcore fan of Taken, then yes. If not, then buy the 1-disc cause that also has the extended cut. Buying the 2-disc is worth it for the commentary and 18 minute featurette.

Cons:
For me, the let down was the acting by Maggie Grace, but I'm not sure it's her fault. She is in real life a 25 year old woman and here she is unconvincingly playing a 17 year old teenager. I'm not saying she's a bad actor...she just doesn't pull off the age thing right. Her portrayal doesn't kill the film, and at times she nails it but at others it's just weird. They should have gotten an actress closer to 17 in real life. Even the ending was not realistic but I'm not sure it was Grace's fault. But at the same time she only endured the ordeal for less than 96 hours so I guess she might not be as traumatized as one would think she should be.

Taken is a solid popcorn flick. One you can watch and have fun with and it gets the nerves going too.
Was this review helpful to you?
167 of 179 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Let God sort 'em out... May 13, 2009
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is one of those great action movies where the hero isn't burdened by doubt, ineptitude, or guilt. He knows what he has to do and he does it coolly and ruthlessly! What he does is kill bad guys... Lots and lots of bad guys of all nationalities, races, and creeds who deserve what they get. Very efficient and ecumenical...

I lost count, but Liam Neeson must have killed about 50 bad guys in this one. And they keep on spawning so he has more to kill. I haven't seen one hero take on so many bad guys who keep on reproducing since Steven Segal made "Hard to Kill"...

The action is non-stop and the retribution is very satisfying. There is a lot of violence, but this is not an explicit blood and gore film. Just good old Hollywood movie violence that hits you at the gut level. "Taken" is a nice vicarious vigilante thrill for all the rest of us who must play by the rules. Liam Neeson does an excellent job! Highly recommended for action fans...
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars great movie
There is a good balance of action and soppy in this movie. Not a lot of lame side effects. Great actor and very good job by the directors
Published 11 hours ago by Laurence Bartlett
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills without a lot of thinking
I love Liam Neeson in these movies. He makes it almost believable. The daughter was played well and actually behaved just like an awkward teenager. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Jeralyn Shaw
4.0 out of 5 stars Taken
Great and enlightening movie! Parents with young teenagers in the house should watch it together to understand and discuss how innocent situations can turn tragic.
Published 3 days ago by B. Morgan-Sterling
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
I really enjoyed the movie, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Looking forward to seeing the sequel!
Published 4 days ago by IK
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
The moral of the story is clear: A father will do anything for his child ... so I got a copy for each of my children. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Allhooligan
3.0 out of 5 stars Great action film but short on brains!
Taken is the sort of film where you pretty much need to leave your common sense at the door and just have a good time. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Natja Kristy
1.0 out of 5 stars never played
I could not get the movie to play. I have played other videos from Amazon and never had this problem. :(
Published 11 days ago by Taylor Devin
5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrill A Minute
The setting is, mostly, Paris and the star is Irish, but this is a
distinctly American story: given that the authorities are bound to be
incompetent or corrupt, you have... Read more
Published 11 days ago by New Yorker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie, low price to rent on Amazon!
I have wanted to watch this movie ever since it came out. Okay, I'm too cheap to get a Netflix membership, too lazy to go to a DVD store and am VERY patient. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Sammi
4.0 out of 5 stars Action Packed
This is NOT normally the type of movie that I gravitate towards (lots of violence), but it was easy to be taken in with the good guy/bad guy plot and rooting for the good guy. Read more
Published 13 days ago by taaj
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Forums

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions

Topic From this Discussion
Theatriclal vs. Extended Version?
The extended version shows Liam jabbing spikes into the bad guy's legs for the electrodes rather than just connecting the high voltage clips to his chair.
May 25, 2009 by HVRZ5U |  See all 9 posts
Amazon and Digital Copy
I wish they would tell us this as well!!! I also look for the digital copies and the only reason I saw this one had one at first was because it shows the back case, usually they do not...
Jul 11, 2010 by V. Reynolds |  See all 4 posts
Taken = Commando, only updated and done seriously
It doesn't need a remake Commando & Taken are solid action movies.
Aug 19, 2011 by J. Paul |  See all 2 posts
Would not play at first- Even with Firmware update.
The "Taken" blu-ray disc will not play at all on either of my Sharp Aquos BD-HP21 players.
May 17, 2009 by Roger Bagley |  See all 8 posts
English version has no sound
Sounds like your receiver can't decode DTS sound. Just a guess, though.
Apr 6, 2010 by DeAd MiKe |  See all 2 posts
Content and Rating
I don't know either, but I'd like to see the uncut version as well.
Jul 22, 2009 by Stacy K. Gibson |  See all 3 posts
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


By placing your order, you agree to our Terms of Use.  Sold by Amazon Digital Services, Inc.  Additional taxes may apply.