User reviews

I see a lot of people giving this show such a bad rap I almost didn't watch it but after getting bored, I watched the first three episodes tonight and it's a lot better than most of the crap out there. Forget the show is called Taken because it has nothing to do with Liam or the movies. Should be called Shadow Team 5 or what ever and yes, it's been done 50 dozen times. Secret ops group within the US government is to take down all the bad guys. I am over 50 and track a LOT of TV shows and most don't make past 30 minutes with me these days but this one has potential but is also very comparable to Lethal Weapon or Shooter or Homeland or Blacklist or any other secret FBI CIA secret ops type shows. So if you liked those, then you will probably like this.

As for me I will keep watching for now

Not really sure why people are saying "more of the same". I have only watched a few episodes but find it well above average in general. A few "tech" issues like how the gov't group can constantly hear all his conversations. Maybe missed them planting bugs in every location he will be in the future? Also, as someone who has followed people in a vehicle for a living, the good and bad guys do a lousy job. You use multiple vehicles, usually something like a Toyota Corolla, not a big van, and one vehicle falls off and another takes it's place every few blocks. But this is TV, not real life so will give them pass on that. Worth watching.

I just don't understand Hollywood these days. They believe more than even major propagandists in the Soviet Union at its height that propaganda can recreate reality.

It wasn't a secret that Taken, the original film, was wildly popular because it not only was brutal, but honest about a taboo subject in the modern west where thought crimes rule. One thing that cannot be stated in many circles, and is indeed criminal in many places like Canada, is that terrorism is indeed largely associated with Muslim countries.

I knew at some point this series was going to be about "reforming" this supposed defamation of Islam. But come on. The third episode? Involving a plot where US government agents are framing some poor Muslim sap?

At this point in time, where this extreme leftism has been denounced repeatedly in elections and box offices, why does Hollywood continue on this path? It just makes no sense. No one is going to believe this stuff, and all it will do is bolster the opinion of most that Hollywood is a den of liars and perverts (thankfully, the latter is not an issue with this series).

This show won't get a second season, as the kinds of leftists who like to believe in the Great White Defendant simply don't watch shows like this. And most people just don't believe it anymore, and will turn off this kind of nonsense.

If Hollywood wants to reform American opinions of Islam, focus on the daily drone strikes on women and children.

An enjoyable show if you take it for what it is and don't overthink or try to view it as the same as the movie series. Basically it is the same character, but the earlier life and is not in parallel with the movies. I'm half way through the second season and it's quite enjoyable week to week.

I'm hoping they continue the series as it is quite enjoyable.

After 3 iterations of the film "Taken", I wondered if this prequel to the franchise was exhausted. I was pleasantly surprised, but not quite aroused.

Clive Standen portrays a younger Bryan Mills well, tho I'm tired of the 3-day-beard look amongst anti-terrorist protagonists. His skills are quietly honed for espionage and his character flaws should enhance the role...much like Tom Keen in "The Blacklist".

Similar to Harold Cooper in "The Blacklist", Jennifer Beals appears to be heading central operations with a cold and direct manner that I hope breaks.

I enjoyed this enough to put it in my queue.

I loved the first season and I love the dynamic even more of season 2.

This show has action but the same thing all the other action shows have these days. Mills gets his a$$ handed to him every episode, a car chase, a foot race, some fire and lots of crying. Same old antagonists with pointless actions making ridiculous decisions. Old school entertainment. Writers from the same school, same professors that educated their teachers decades ago, with the same idea of what makes a good action story.

It's as if Hollywood is owned and run by a large group of folks with the same values and beliefs, hiring only friends and relatives.

I would like to see something fresh, that stays fresh and doesn't turn into a melodrama in the second season. JMHO

You really gotta give it a chance Clive does a magnificent job and there's a lot of twists and turns throughout the seasons

A former Navy Seal/Special Ops/FBI agent has extraordinary skills in martial arts/assassination/sniping but he doesn't play by the rules/books. He suffers a loss when his wife/sister/platoon member is killed/raped/kidnapped and goes looking for revenge. He is joined by former Team members/retired team members/a clandestine agency who include experts in technology/surveillance/killing and together they take down the Muslims/Russians/sex traffickers or whatever.

This is the basic plot for dozens of Hollywood films and TV shows, and Taken joins the list, using as their pretext the 2008 film starring Liam Neeson. That film and this series share the creative talents of Luc Besson, one of my favorite action film makers – Leon (1994), Nikita (1990), Kiss of the Dragon (2001), The Transporter (2002), Colombiana (1911), Lucy (2014).

The TV series plays more like a film and the action and photography are good. Acting is also good, and it's a pleasure to see the ageless Jennifer Beals as well as Michael Irby (The Unit).

There is very little to make this series stand out from the plethora of other series using the same basic theme, but I think the script, production, and acting are better than normal. Don't look for anything extraordinary or revolutionary.

Season 1 was great then season 2 got so political that I stopped watching

I was kinda eager to check out how Brian got where he is in the movie. BUT That's not what the show is about at all, or the producers/writers never heard about ANACHRONISM... The deceptive title is mostly marketing bullshit to keep banking on a license probably dead without any future Liam's participation.

That being said, it is a pretty decent show so far (ep5). To be recommended to those who like spy/action shows.

Why recycle the name of a movie that really is nothing like the movie? I thought only Asylum did that. If you're going to copy a name, should of used "The A-Team" or "Suicide Squad". But really, "The Rankless", "Above the Law" or "Unseen Soldiers" would of been a better choice. The show has somewhat good acting. It's right on the verge of being a great show. it's just needs a better story.

Loved this program one of the best I have watched really hope there is gonna be more. It keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end everyone is great in it. But Clive who plays Bryan mills is just amazing what a great actor. Just hope there is gonna be another series. If you like excitement then you must watch

Enjoyed the films, so was interested to see what the series was like, but a little concerned some of the reviews had been poor. But I Enjoyed the pilot, a few twists and turns, good action, and not bad acting at all. Of course it's all totally ludicrous, but never the less the first episode was entertaining and fun, and with plenty of action.

I hope future episodes match up to the pilot, so far better than the new 24

I must say that after the first episode I was a little disappointed but upon further viewing, plenty of action fast moving just what the public want. If you enjoyed 24 with Jack Bauer then this is for you. The overall plot was very logical and once I got into it I couldn't stop watching, and the main thing I liked was a different task each episode. I give this a resounding 10/10 it kept me glued to the screen until the finale. I pray they decide to do a second series.

Somebody PLEASE tell Jennifer Beals to stop using the creaky voice! It's the most incredibly annoying vocal affectation ever. In linguistics, creaky voice (sometimes called laryngealisation, pulse phonation, vocal fry, or glottal fry) is a special kind of phonation in which the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx are drawn together; as a result, the vocal folds are compressed rather tightly, becoming relatively slack and compact. Stop it already!

Having loved the movie by this name, I was really hoping the TV show would be as exciting. Quite frankly, I have no idea why they called it 'Taken' because it has nothing to do with the movie, unless we're to really believe this is its prequel.

'Taken' is just another FBI show that offers nothing to stand out from any other FBI show. The storyline is completely predictable, the acting robotic. With all the other excellent shows viewers have to choose from, I can't see many wasting their time on this forgettable one.

Clive Standen's spirit strength as an actor is perfectly poured into in the character of Bryan Mills. His martial arts background serves Mills very well. As soon as I recognized he is the lead in "Taken," I made a point of not missing the premier. I am thrilled the show is so good. A quiet and strong character that doesn't hang on the excess of flashy moves to woo the audience is ultra refreshing. I look forward to seeing this show last a long time. The casting is fantastic. The dialogue feels original and true. The sound is outstanding! And best of all, the action flows as honest as the narrative.

First episode was good but then things started to fall about with the dialogue and endless slip ups by the crack team. I began to feel sorry for Clive and Jennifer being associated with the show. It's a poor mans Blacklist.

Yes we all know Hollywood has no originality and this tiresome telly spin off, of the Taken film franchise, proves this, yet again.

In spite of Clive Standen's appearance in the lead role fresh from the fantastic series Vikings, this series is wall to wall bland and somewhat hypocritical.

Its the same formula adopted in Taken the films with a couple of trivial twists and lots of US self justification and victim playing. All of which is more than a bit rich, in light of the US administrations often unsavory actions on the world stage.

Regrettably, the quality actors are constrained by the overriding monotony of this series. Its not their fault this sucks as much as it does.

Four out of ten from me.