I am STUNNED that this got a PG-13 rating. Offended and shocked, to be honest. My husband and I liked the movie but every time another terrifying event occurred (and there are plenty!!) we turned to each other and said: "PG-13?!!" The movie is violent and the subject matter is very upsetting for adults and especially for teens! I am now really questioning our movie rating system in this country.
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Taken
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Violent, disturbing rescue/revenge thriller isn't for kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Taken
Parents need to know that this "hard PG-13" thriller seems just a drop of blood or two away from an R rating. Not only is there a great deal of violence, but a disturbing subplot centers on young women being kidnapped into the seedy world of sex slavery. The themes of revenge, vigilantism, sex and drug trafficking, and international political corruption are too intense for young audiences. Language is moderate ("s--t," "a--hole"), but drug use is widespread (though not a lot of actual use is shown on camera), and characters also drink and smoke.
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what makes this PG-13-rated movie different from R-rated films. Is the violence less graphic or upsetting? Why or why not? What impact does seeing this kind of violence have on teens? Families can also discuss the ethical and moral lines that characters cross in the movie. Are Bryan's actions justified because he finds his daughter? Are Kim and her friend partially to blame for their perilous dilemma? What mistakes did they make? How are Americans portrayed in the film (versus Europeans)?
Our Members Say
See all 55 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
good movie 12 over
very good movie lost of killing and action truth is the drama is very intense 12 and over worth watching
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good Movie. Know your kid, at least 12.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's my favorite movie of all time! i highly recommend it. it kept you on the edge of your seat, and it never made me bored.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
real life stuff people!
the movie was amazing first of all. but the maturity level needs to be on the higher side. i was so heartbroken because this movie is an example of real life. every day mostly in europe, young women and children are kidnapped, drugged, sold,a dn so many become like prostitutes. this is not the way we are supposed to live peoples! make a difference and stop human trafficking.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Excellent movie, perfect for teens
Excellent movie. It had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Some of the content isn't for the kiddies, though. The whole plot centers on an underground slave trade that is definitely not for kids. This trade, however, and its proponents are the enemy throughout the film. Not only is it not age-appropriate for them, they just wouldn't get it. The violence is non-stop throughout, but there is very little blood and gore. Several references to drugs are made as well. Overall, great film for teens.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Eh...It was ok
This movie was pretty good but not great. I would have given the unrated version 4 stars, but the originally rated PG-13 one was kinda lame. the action scenes in the original were ok but the were edited a lot from the unrated. So if u wanna watch this movie get the DVD and watch the extended version.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A brilliant, fast-paced thrill ride with a message, for teens and up only
In Taken, a man named Brian unwillingly lets his daughter Kim go to France with a friend on some conditions. However, when Kim and her friend arrive in France, they are taken into prostitution just by talking to a guy they think is cute. Brian hears, through Kim's cell phone, the two girls being taken. He calls the sick men who are taking women such as his daughter and basically says, "If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." And so begins a crazy, awesome thriller that ponders this question multiple times...where do you draw the line when it comes to protecting your kids? Speaking of that, this film is only for people 13 and up (14 or 15 and up for the unrated cut). In terms of content, most of the film is about sex trafficking of women and prostitution, and there's a brief scene of prostitutes and their clients having sex (but it's not explicit, and they're wearing clothing). There's some bad language and a middle finger, but nothing too serious (compared to most PG-13 films these days, and the PG-rated movie Speed Racer had the middle finger gesture). There's a bit of alcohol use and smoking, but the most obvious drug content is the use of what might be heroin to make the women do their jobs. Finally, there is a lot of violence. However, there's a point to it; Brian will stop at nothing to save his daughter. There's a lot of punching, kicking, neck-breaking, and what have you, but the most violent part was the torture scene, especially in the unrated version. In the PG-13, Brian just shocks the guy. In the unrated version, Brian drives 2 large nails in the guy's legs, hooks up electrical cables to the nails, and shocks him multiple times to get information. Other than the extended torture scene and some bloodsplatter in the shoot outs, the unrated version is just about the same. That doesn't mean it's not good. Overall, Taken is a brilliant thriller that actually has a message: some people will stop at nothing to protect their kids.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Simple and meaningful.
Awesome movie packed with intense action. Love the character's fighting skills, much like Jason Bourne from the Bourne series. I believe the show movie touches on real life situation like women being exploited into the slave industry like backpackers or travelers. As much a traveling alone with a friend seems okay but we must also be wary when being in a foreign country. The father I believe takes up a responsible role in ensuring the safety of her daughter. As much as he seems protective; as if the daughter is immature, but he knows the facts of the real world. He's intelligent and I don't see why he should not be a good role model. There are was a scene of women who are drugged and forced to have sex with the workers, might be a little disturbing. It was kinda for me. Violence was quite intense esp. the punches and kicks but not really a lot of blood is seen. Overall ill like to say that apart from the violence, it showed the love of a father towards his daughter, how planned his act carefully. Ensuring her safety despite her life at stake. At times we gotta know that there is a reason why our parents deny us of somethings, not because they don't understand, it's because they want to protect us. Nothing is for sure. This movie maybe a fictional film but it does portray real world issues.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Action Trash
Plain and simple, this is R-rated stuff. The plot is dark and disturbing, but still fun to watch 'cause Liam Neeson is such a great actor. The action scenes are good, but it's a silly movie.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
Great movie but lots of violence
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
Awsome
This movie is one of my fav movies!! It includes very good messages on how to be careful!! The violence is pretty disturbing. I personally think it wasn't violent AT ALL!! I saw the unrated version so i don't know which is which!! THIS MOVIE IS VERY WELL MADE. Great acting, U SHOULD SOOOO C IT!!!
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Good movie with a way of showing you how the real world is.
Now, since everybody seems to be flipping out over this movie, I'll tell you more about it. Yes, a daughter is kidnapped and thrown into a grisly world of sex trafficking and drug addiction, but the message in this movie is how much her father loves her. He goes through complete and utter hell trying to get her back. People die, but they're the bad guys, the people who are involved with this sick business. There aren't any actual sex scenes, there are drugs involved, but nothing too graphic. Kids who are 14+ should already know there are sick people out there, and should be able to handle this movie. It had a great storyline, plot, etc, etc. I loved it. I couldn't look away throughout the whole thing.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
good for 12 and up
i saw this movie and thought that it was fine i didn't get scared the father kills a lot of people and the daughter is almost made a prostitute but i thought it was great and loved it sooo much.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
older kids
ok it was agreat movie im 11 and saw but im vry mature for my age and can see what ever i want but froma regular parents few this is not for younger kids
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Good movie for tweens and up
This movie is definitely PG-13 for thematic elements and violence. Some big concerns were how much violence the dad goes through to save his daughter and how they drug the teens and turn them into prostitutes. But I'm only 11 and I thought it was a very good movie
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
Intense and Action-Packed. Only for teens and up.
This is a top notch movie. One of the most intense movies you will ever see. But for anyone under 13 i would not recomend it. It has a lot of intense hand to hand combat, shooting, and a torture scene. The story may also be quite disturbing, even to teens. There is no explicit sexual content, but you can infer that there is sexual activity going on. However The language isn't very bad for a PG-13. This movie is great for anyone 13 and up. NOTE: on the dvd, there is an unrated version that would for sure be rated R. Instead of being tortured by holding onto the things that shock you, brian stabs metal stakes into the victums legs and attaches the shocking things onto the stakes. There is also other stuff like occasional bloody holes in shot victums. but only in the unrated version.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Taken(: MATURE 13 year olds would be BEST!
We thought this movie was prolly the best. Because, sure there was some sexual content but it was still good. Because the girls ARENT completely naked like they said up above. But, it too teaches a lesson. Because the dad learns to trust his daughter afterwards and the daughter learns to listen & obey her father.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give itMy concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
IT WAS GREAT
I HATE JACOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE EDWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO TEAM EDWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Not for tweens, but parents and older teens will enjoy the suspense.
Great, action packed movie. A lot of killing, so this is def. more of an adult movie.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 70% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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