🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Olivier Megaton
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 6.0/10 (209K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 9%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Liam Neeson is wrongly accused of a crime and gets to destroy half of Los Angeles to prove his innocence, making the LAPD question their life choices and bagel preferences.
🍿 Taken 3: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Initial Setup and Lenore’s Murder
Bryan Mills is trying to reconnect with his daughter Kim, who is now pregnant. He’s also attempting to navigate his relationship with his ex-wife, Lenore, who is having marital issues with her current husband, Stuart. One day, Lenore asks to meet Bryan. When he arrives at his apartment, he finds her murdered.

Framed and On the Run
The police arrive at Bryan’s apartment, finding him at the scene of the crime, making him the prime suspect. Bryan escapes, determined to clear his name and find the real killer. He becomes a fugitive, pursued by the LAPD, led by Inspector Franck Dotzler, who begins to suspect there’s more to the story.

Investigating the Truth
Bryan uses his particular set of skills to investigate Lenore’s death, gathering evidence and tracking down leads while evading law enforcement. He discovers Lenore was involved with dangerous people through her husband Stuart’s shady dealings, particularly with a Russian gangster named Oleg Malankov. Bryan seeks help from his former colleagues to uncover the conspiracy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson): A former covert operative with a particular set of skills who is framed for the murder of his ex-wife and must clear his name while protecting his daughter.
- Frank Dotzler (Forest Whitaker): A smart and persistent LAPD Inspector who initially pursues Bryan Mills but begins to suspect he is being framed.
- Kim Mills (Maggie Grace): Bryan’s pregnant daughter, who is a target due to her father’s actions and becomes increasingly involved in the unfolding events.
- Lenore St. John (Famke Janssen): Bryan’s ex-wife whose murder sets off the film’s chain of events and exposes a web of betrayal and deceit.
- Stuart St. John (Dougray Scott): Lenore’s current husband who is revealed to be the mastermind behind her murder and framing Bryan.
- Oleg Malankov (Sam Spruell): A ruthless Russian mobster and former Spetznaz operative who is involved in Lenore’s murder plot.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bryan Mills: “My first priority is to protect the only one I have left.” – Bryan says this, highlighting his unwavering dedication to safeguarding his daughter, Kim.
- Frank Dotzler: “If you go down this road, the LAPD, the FBI, the CIA… they’re all gonna come for you. They’ll find you. And they’ll stop you.” – Dotzler warns Mills of the massive forces that will be arrayed against him if he continues on his path of vengeance.
- Bryan Mills: “Good luck.” – Bryan responds dismissively to Dotzler’s threat, showing his confidence in his abilities to evade capture.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $48,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $89,256,424
- Worldwide Gross: $326,479,141
💥 Taken 3 Reviews
Personal Review
I went into Taken 3 expecting more of the same Liam Neeson action, and while it delivered on that front, it felt different. The whole framed-for-murder plot felt like a generic action movie instead of something unique like the first one. Still, seeing Neeson kick butt is always a treat, and there were a few moments during the car chases that got my heart pumping. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it’s definitely the weakest of the trilogy. That airport scene was a bit over the top, though!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Liam Neeson action movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy action-thrillers with a revenge plot”
- “People who have followed the ‘Taken’ series”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Brief strong language”
- “Some disturbing images”
- “Mature themes (murder, crime)”
Professional Reviews
- Indiewire: “Taken 3 fails to live up to its predecessors, with excessive shaky cam and a convoluted plot that detracts from the core appeal of the franchise. Neeson’s presence is not enough to save this installment.
- ScreenRant: “Though not a critical darling, Taken 3 offers enough action to entertain fans of the series, even if it deviates significantly from the original’s premise. Forest Whitaker adds an interesting dynamic, but the film suffers from familiar action movie tropes.
Audience Reactions
The action sequences, while sometimes shaky, were still entertaining and kept me engaged.: Many viewers appreciated Liam Neeson’s performance and found the film enjoyable despite its flaws.
Forest Whitaker’s role as the detective added an interesting dynamic to the movie.: Some found the plot twists engaging, while others felt they were convoluted and unnecessary.
Overall Consensus: Taken 3 is a divisive film, with some fans enjoying the action and Neeson’s performance, while others find the plot convoluted and the shaky camera work distracting.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Reportedly, Liam Neeson stipulated to the movie’s producers that he would only do this third installment if ‘nobody gets taken.'”
- “The film was shot in Atlanta, Georgia, masquerading as Los Angeles to take advantage of tax incentives.”
- “Olivier Megaton, the director, also directed ‘Taken 2,’ making him the only director to helm more than one film in the ‘Taken’ series.”
🖥️ How to Watch Taken 3?
Taken 3 is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video (for purchase or rental), Apple TV, and possibly other streaming services that offer movie rentals or purchases. Check your local listings and preferred streaming providers to see if it’s currently included in their subscription offerings.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Taken 3, you might like these similar films:
- The Fugitive (1993): Features a wrongly accused man on the run from the law while trying to clear his name, similar to Bryan Mills’ situation.
- Man on Fire (2004): Another action film starring a protector avenging harm done to those he cares about.
- Unknown (2011): Stars Liam Neeson in a similar action-thriller role, involving mystery and suspense.
- The Equalizer (2014): Denzel Washington plays a former intelligence operative who uses his skills to protect the innocent and exact justice, similar to Bryan Mills.
🛒 Taken 3 Related Products
- Taken Trilogy [Blu-ray]: Own all three Taken films in stunning high definition. Relive the action and suspense with this complete collection.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills (Taken): A stylized collectible figure of Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, capturing his iconic look from the Taken movies.
- Taken Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the official Taken movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater or office.
- Taken Inspired T-Shirt – ‘Particular Set of Skills’: Show off your love for the Taken movies with this stylish t-shirt featuring the iconic quote ‘I have a very particular set of skills’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Taken 3 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The title is somewhat misleading as the main plot revolves around Lenore’s murder and Bryan being framed. The theme of ‘taking’ is more metaphorical, referring to Lenore being taken from Bryan and Kim. It is argued by some that Kim is taken hostage by her stepfather, and as such, the title still holds.
Initially, it seems like Oleg Malankov, the Russian gangster, is the main villain. However, the true mastermind behind Lenore’s murder and Bryan’s framing is Stuart St. John, Lenore’s husband.
No, Bryan Mills does not get arrested. Although he technically committed crimes while evading the police, Inspector Dotzler allows him to go free, acknowledging that Bryan was framed and brought the real killer to justice.
🔥 Bonus Content
When Your Girl Watched The Movie “Taken” 😂 #shorts
Check out this hilarious sketch that perfectly sums up what it’s like to have a girlfriend who’s been watching ‘Taken.’ It’s a funny take that will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to deal with an overly tough girlfriend.
Asian Parents when you get TAKEN! (3)
This sketch is a must-see for anyone who loves ‘Taken’ or has ever wondered how Asian parents would react in such a situation. It’s a clever and funny take on the movie that will leave you laughing.
Maggie Grace: ‘Liam Neeson Called My Ex-Boyfriend’ | TODAY
In this interview, Maggie Grace shares a heartwarming story about Liam Neeson’s protectiveness, both on and off-screen. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the real-life relationship between these two actors and the impact ‘Taken’ had on their lives.
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