Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of vigilante violence in lifeless, sludgy sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Taken 3
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the latest installment in the franchise has received mixed reviews, with some praising the action sequences and Liam Neeson's performance, while many others criticize the film's unoriginal story, lack of coherent editing, and overall inferior quality compared to its predecessors. While a segment enjoyed the mystery elements and considered it a decent conclusion to the series, the majority find it disappointing and suggest that it fails to capture the essence of the original films.
- mixed reviews
- lack of coherence
- strong action scenes
- disappointing story
- performance criticism
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Poor Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is in trouble again. He's getting along well with his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), and is slowly rebuilding a relationship with his ex-wife, Lenore (Famke Janssen). But then he receives a mysterious message from Lenore and arrives to find her murdered, with Bryan looking like the prime suspect. He must disappear, using his particular set of skills to find the real murderer -- and all the while a clever police detective (Forest Whitaker) is on his trail. Things get even worse when Bryan realizes that, in fact, Kim is in danger once again.
Is It Any Good?
Neeson appears to have grown comfortable with Bryan Mills, wearing the character like a broken-in old pair of shoes -- but only when he's relating to other humans. When TAKEN 3's action scenes kick in, as they do at an increasing rate, the movie becomes sludge. The movements, angles, and editing turn everything into a jumble, and poor Neeson can't accomplish much of anything.
A nice addition to the series is Oscar-winner Whitaker as wise, clever police detective Franck Dotzler (maybe the next sequel could be about him?). But many of the other cast members appear to be stuck in their roles, as if either unsure of what to do next without giving away the many feeble plot twists, or very simply bored. Olivier Megaton (Taken 2) directs again, and from the movie's flagging energy level, it appears as if he, too, is ready to retire this series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Taken 3's violence. How much is shown, and how much is kept off screen? How does that affect its impact? How does this installment compare to the other two in terms of violence?
How does the movie raise the stakes by placing Bryan's daughter in jeopardy? What's the emotional impact of that situation?
Talk about the ethical and moral lines that characters cross in the movie. Are Bryan's violent actions justified by the movie?
How are Europeans and Americans portrayed in the movie? Which characters are sympathetic? What are their goals?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 9, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : April 21, 2015
- Cast : Liam Neeson , Maggie Grace , Famke Janssen
- Director : Olivier Megaton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence and action, and for brief strong language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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