ommadawn.dk - Taken

Taken

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

I am trying my hand at reviews again, analyzing and grading the episodes of Taken. Spoilers ahead!

Grades:

Couldn't even stand to watch it once.	1 out of 10
Once is okay - and then never again.	2 out of 10
Twice is okay.	5 out of 10
One for the collection.	7 out of 10
Super!	10 out of 10

10: Taken

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

Allie will have to go with the aliens to survive - but she doesn't want to. So far Tom Clarke is there to help again. And see John again. John gives Allie the star earring. She also gets Lisas.
Mary Crawford and dr. Wakeman after Allie. They try to snap Allie again. But John stops them. This reveals, that Wakeman and Mary aren't doing this for the same reasons.
To avoid being found again, Allie turn off the signals from Lisas and her own head. And John leaves. Allie collapses. Mary guess where they are. Wakeman tries to warn them, so Mary shoots him.
A new attempt to keep Allie safe: get all UFO believers to come and surround her. Allie finally wakes up. Meets the crowd. Turns off their head implants. And then she stops running. A small fleet of UFOs arrive. And then Allie and the artifact is gone.
The aliens are scientists, learning about Earth. They discover feelings, they don't have themselves. An experiment to get those feelings, successful.

Plot in short

A little girl, not wanting to leave home.
Always asking questions.
Relevancy of plot

Will Allie be back some day? Will Lisa and Charlie stay together?
Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

John is a changed alien.
Believable characters

To see all those people to come running to protect Allie.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

Nice cutting between John and Wakeman, explaining it all.
Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

7/10.
Character

9: John

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

Mary Crawford, inside the UFO. Then a group of soldiers go in. They all see dead people. Nice - and not so nice. They get out, and the UFO leaves.
Charlie Keys and Lisa Clarke, still trying to get to Allie. The soldiers pick them up.
Allie tense. Then picked up by the UFO.
Mission over, everybody leaves. The military finds the artifact. A car with Lisa and Charlie.
Mary has an idea. They go back. The hoax is revealed. No UFO. Allie made a mass hallucination. And then she left in the car with her parents. She did it all to get rid of her "followers" - but she fears it won't work. Still: on the run again. Maybe burned out.
John comes for Allie. Defends her against creeps. Except Allie has her powers back, and can protect herself. John is shot. He comes with Allie and her parents.
There is a hypothesis, that Allie is stronger than the aliens. And that they will pick her up, now that she has demonstrated her powers.

Plot in short

It scares us to see our future, to see the choices we have to make clearly. Even more so at 9 years old.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

The soldier, that was nice to Allie. The hunter. Truly sympathetic.
Believable characters

Touching characters

"I don't use the expression 'in the mix'." Snort.
Lines

Other

Music

Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Easy. 7/10.
Character

8: Dropping the dishes

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

Allie Clarke, shielded, with Mary Crawford and dr. Wakeman. The plan is to un-shield her, and then everybody wait for the UFO. Except, Mary is removed, from the now military project and from Wakeman. But she finds her way back, bringing the artifact. When Allie sees the artifact, it comes alive with shimmering letters. And then, after a long wait, finally lights in the sky. A downed craft. Mary goes inside. Allie is concentrated.
Charlie Keys and Lisa Clarke drop back into time. With Allie gone, they start looking for her. Under hypnosis Lisa gets a lead. They get close, and then hit a road block. Then hire a hunter to help them get even closer.
The artifact gathers information.

Plot in short

A lot of atmosphere. Sorrow and fear. Waiting.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

The close link between Lisa and Allie. And between Lisa and Charlie. Allie and the gentle soldier.
Soldiers who doubt the UFO story.
Believable characters

Lisa miss Allie.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

A non-believing soldier always filmed from below.
Interesting view from inside a car doing 180�.
Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Very atmospheric. 7/10.
Character

7: God's equation

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

Present day.
Charlie Keys is out interviewing abductees.
Allie Clarke is a very wise child, and people like her - and she's careful not to flaunt her powers. Her mother, Lisa, attend a therapy group for abductees. And here Charlie surfaces too. Lisa and Charlie discover they know each other - and why. Now they have to decide whether they want to be a family.
Dr. Wakeman and Mary Crawford have developed a way to block the signal from an implant. An opportunity to kidnap Allie. Except she runs. Demonstrating the power to freeze time as she goes.
The therapy group is taken hostage by one of the members. Charlie is shot. Allie comes running in. Then FBI/Mary arrives.
Eric wants Allie without further bloodshed. Mary just wants Allie. Furthermore, Eric discovers the relationship between Mary and Wakeman, and fires him. So Mary kills her father.
Allie can also make people see things. She can read minds. She heals Charlie. She talks them out of the hostage situation. And then she chooses to go with Mary. After vanishing the therapy group.

Plot in short

Classic "give the gangster what he wants" feeling. Doesn't happen that often to me...
Love between Lisa and Charlie. Love between Mary and Wakeman. Hate between Mary and Eric.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

Allie is different. Like her parents, but also very different from them.
Believable characters

Touching characters

"Little girl, I like how your mind works." Double meaning.
Lines

Other

Music

The conception bit is shown a bit too much... (Yeah, porn!)
Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Exciting. 7/10.
Character

6: Charlie and Lisa

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

1980.
The aliens are still collecting evidence. But Eric Crawford still has the artifact. But the project seems to be over.
The star necklace passes from Jacob Clarke to Lisa.
Charlie Keys on the run. Taken.
1981.
Jacob dies.
1986.
Danny is Lisas new dad. And Nina her new friend. Lisa is taken.
Eric looks up Tom Clarke.
1992.
Eric back with dr. Wakeman. Somebody wants to revive the project. But so far Eric is more interested in the Clarkes, and shows up in person. Lisa runs. Tom, as always, helps.
Charlie Keys. Saying hello to his crazy, dying father. Taken at the same time as Lisa. Breeding.
A grown Mary Crawford.
Dr. Wakeman has built something, that can track all the inplants. And also Lisa. They try to take her in - but she is unsubtly protected.
1993.
Pregnant Lisa. And she knows there's something fishy about the father. The birth attracts a lof of UFOs. They save mother and child (Allie) from dying.
Mary sees the artifact. And starts a relationship with Wakeman.
1996.
Allie is already special.
The aliens are more visible, do bigger things.

Plot in short

A new Messiah?
Technology to watch every move of citizens.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

Dr. Wakeman is creepy. Even in the face of failure, he is amused.
Charlie fights against being taken, and is frustrated when it doesn't help.
Believable characters

I feel the fear of those taken.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

Stalkers with their faces in shadow - nice.
Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Important, nice development. 7/10.
Character

5: Maintenance

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

1970.
Eric Crawford gets into his late father's project.
1980.
Eric finally sees a live head-implant, thanks to a new cynical employee, dr. Wakeman.
Jacob Clarke comes home to say goodbye to his dying mother. He's married to Carol, with a daughter, Lisa. Jacob helps ease Sally's death, demonstrating his powers - and Tom turns 180�, from debunking.
Jesse Keys still gets taken. He has a son, Charlie.
Maybe his implant can be removed. Or maybe he can show up on the Crawford radar again... Eric also notices Toms new point of view, and contacts Becky. They end up kissing in front of a dead (almost) alien! Eric seems willing to begin a new life with Becky, but Becky is unwilling.
Wakeman discovers, that the implants give off signals. And wants to experiment on Jesse. Jesse escapes, fully, excreting the implant - but now little Charlie is on the run, from Crawford, and from aliens, who have taken him also.
Eric is in charge of moving the project across the country. En route the aliens choose to remove the evidence. And Tom is a witness.
The aliens are genetically close to us.

Plot in short

A chance to change ones life.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Why would they move the UFO over the trucks, when it would be safer to have 2 routes?
Goofs/nits

Characters

The Clarkes are loving, gentle, fragile. The Crawfords are intelligent and SOBs. The Keys' are hunted, insecure.
Believable characters

That moment where Eric waits for Becky.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Very good - great climax. 7/10.
Character

4: Acid tests

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

1970.
Owen Crawford and his son, Eric (married to Julie, expecting a baby), gets tricked by Tom Clarke. Owen gets fired, Marty is promoted.
Archaeology. A tomb with a body and alien writing. Sam Crawford goes there. The body disappears. People fear the woods. Lots of mystery and danger. Turns out there's two local versions of Jacob Clarke here. But not just good and gentle as him. Weirdlooking. Dangerous. And one of them annoying. One has already been killed by his neighbors. Now it's time to finish the job - and brave Sam buys it too. Just after Eric gets there.
Jesse Keys is a drug addict. In rehab he meets Amelia. He was the perfect soldier, that couldn't be hurt because the aliens protect him.
Erics daughter Mary is born. The news of Sams death kills Owen. Eric inherits the artifact.
The aliens protected Jesse.

Plot in short

Good Clarke's die early. Aliens are in danger. Rotten family.
While Jesse finally finds something nice.
Things that go bump in the night. Fear.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

Eric loves his father. Owen loves his son, Sam. Unfortunately, both loves are unrequieted.
Believable characters

Joy that Tom tricks Owen.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Feels like an episode from another series! One to keep - but only for the few arc bits. 7/10.
Character

3: High hopes

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

Jacob Clarke uses his powers - and suffers. An alien warns him against using them again. Jacob seems to know the alfabet on the artifact.
Jesse Keys is taken again. He proceeds to seek out Russell, who's sick. He has a thing in his head. They both have - oops.
Owen Crawford might be looking for Jacob again - who's disappeared by Tom again. Instead Owen's found by Jesse. Yeah, a new experiment! The thing is removed from Russells head - it's alive - and makes people go berserk. Interesting - so they hide Jesse away. Ah - but the aliens have other plans.
Jacob seems to have run out of powers.
Anne threatens to become a security risk - so Owen shoots her. Jeez.
The aliens seem protective. They now take people for hours - abductions.

Plot in short

The state changing people's lives - and not caring one bit.
Relevancy of plot

Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

Jacob Clarke is wise, and his brother and sister are good, loving people. Father and son Keys try to help each. While the family is mostly a burden to Owen Crawford, who's helped by Howard and Marty instead - telling.
Believable characters

It hurts to see Owen lie so much to Anne.
Touching characters

"[Don't] do nothing." And the soldier decides to help Jesse.
Lines

Other

Music

Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Quite a lot of blood and violence. But still, interesting. 7/10.
Character

2: Jacob and Jesse

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

1953.
Jesse Keys is taken.
1958.
The UFO is still a riddle to Owen Crawford. Experiment: try putting tele-whatever people inside it. And do it so Anne and the 2 sons, Sam and Eric, will get their Christmas day ruined... The son of Sally and "John", Jacob, has alien-like powers. Sally is a UFO believer, while Tom is a debunker.
Russell Keys on the move, trying to keep the aliens away from his son. But then he and Jesse are taken together. Russell then finds Jesse in the real world. Jesse is taken again, for days, while it's over for his father.
The experiment fails for Owen. To make it work, he goes looking for Jacob. Finds him. Leaves with him. But only because/while Jacob allows it. Even so, Jacob is sent away by Sally, for his protection. She gives him her ear ring.
The aliens experiment on humans.

Plot in short

Distant parents, affected children. Universal.
Relevancy of plot

The voice over adds another layer - I'll have to listen to it again.
Plot is thought provoking

Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

The Clarke family works. The Keys family is deeply hurt. And the Crawford family is just purely dysfunctional.
Believable characters

A joy to see Jacob scare Owen.
Anne Crawford, so alone.
Touching characters

Lines

Other

Music

Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

A keeper. 7/10.
Character

1: Beyond the sky

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200

Tags: Me, Review, Science fiction, Taken

Plot / themes

1944.
Russell Keys has an alien experience.
1947.
A UFO crashes near Owen Crawford, "John" is hurt in the accident. Owen goes inside the UFO. Then he starts hunting for "John".
Russell and Kate have a baby, Jesse. And Russell meets the aliens again. He obsesses, and leaves his family.
Sally Clarke, married to Fred, meets "John". She already has kids, Tom (hates "Jonn") and Becky (likes "John"). Sally gives "John" an ear ring, then he leaves.
Crawford arrives too late. But later he gets an artifact instead, with writing. And marries Anne.
Humans react to aliens; many die, but Russell and Sally seem immune. Aliens can trick our eyes.

Plot in short

How we react to the strange/alien. Love and hate/indifference. How we fight against force. All very human and relevant.
Relevancy of plot

What would I do in their shoes?
Nice sense of mystery.
Plot is thought provoking

Except for the alien bit, fine.
Realism in plot

Goofs/nits

Characters

Keys is haunted. Crawford is a charming a**hole. "John" is gentle.
Believable characters

Touching characters

"You are the sun and the moon to me."
The voice over of the wise little girl is spooky.
Lines

Other

Music

A nice montage, where Russell, Owen and Sally watch the sky.
Visuals

2nd time.
Mileage

Already look forward to seeing it again. 7/10.
Character