Taken: À la recherche de Sophie Parker

First, let's talk about the 'Inspired by a True Story'. It is something that I wish the movie industry would monitor. The simple fact is that just about anything could be based or inspired by a true story. The Brady Bunch could be based on a true story because somewhere out there (many places), somebody with children married somebody else with children.

Jaws was based on a True Story. So, was Shawshank Redemption, A Few Good Men, etc. etc. Only the degree to which these movies are based on a true story varies.

Regarding the movie, it was somewhat intriguing. I cannot say that I not found myself waiting for it to end, which means I liked it somewhat. I was kind of similar to the original 'Taken' with Liam Neison.

The factor I disliked the most was its political correctness. Some people may debate this, but you have a bad ass girl going into a foreign country (Russia, no less) and for the most part dictating to their police force how things were going to go down. I think it was part of the movies' message that thousands of women are trafficked every year, and "we are going to show the world that not only is that wrong, but we will also show them just how tough women can be."

It is certainly tragic what goes on with trafficking. I do not need to reminded through political innuendo that guys are the culprits (we all know that). The message of 'don't mess with women' was too much over the top.

Is this rubbish really based on a true story? Only if one redefines the words based and true. It is part fantasy - the type in which the women do the business - and part propaganda document. Does sex trafficking even exist? Sure it does, but rather than girls being kidnapped off the street and sold into slavery it consists overwhelmingly of women prostituting themselves. True, this sort of thing can get really sordid, especially when some of those involved are of a tender age, but let's not kid ourselves, there are not millions of women sold into slavery every year - this is the new narrative, one spun by the same sordid feminist mafia that tried to convince us that porn is rape.

So what does "Taken..." have to offer? Well, if you like seeing women outfighting, outkicking and outkilling men, all power to your elbow. It remains to be seen what it does for East-West relations in a post-Glastnost age, but if your teenage daughter goes out drinking or clubbing, worry about more mundane things, like someone stealing her mobile phone.

Geez! where should i start?I thought i was watching a soap opera or a romance developing in the beginning of this movie.Hard to believe the calm demeanor of these 2 parents that realized their girls were both kidnapped and missing.The mother barely showed any emotion other than flirting with both her partner and the ambassador which was ridiculous after finding out your daughter is missing,or possibly dead.I was in a state of LIKE SERIOUSLY? when both women decided to confront and chase after these dangerous kidnappers and mobsters on their own using their sexuality to approach more than one situation.I was already bored half way through it.Who in the world would believe that this one woman can go hunt down such dangerous people and investigate mostly on her own. The ambassador's daughter was taken along with her daughter and this one woman along with the security watch woman that usually watches the girls,but conveniently had the night off are suppose to somehow kick ass and find a way to trace the girls whereabouts.Totally delusional plot and story line.Again i will say,i have never seen a mother more at peace and relaxed about her daughter missing,then for some moments into the show the actual Russian police, who we all know would never allow a woman to call the shots,let alone have a gun running around seeking her own justice.I mean really?The police are usually corrupt and on the inside of these type of crimes,kidnappings and trafficking women for a monetary fee themselves to look the other way.Anyway,the police finally joins this woman to search while the other woman security assist her as well, to find the girls.These two women threw me off during time spent together with the almost sensual energy and chemistry between them both. Anyhow,they join forces to find the girls.She finds her daughter,then,if you can believe she still feels she needs to risk her life even more and decide to be in pursuit of the ambassador's daughter who was sold.I mean Get real! But like i said,the affection between these two women i did not at all understand it.They were both too cozy and comfortable with each other for having just met,so in my opinion,this was someone's dawg gawn fantasy.I barely call movies stupid,but it was NOT at all worth me watching.It was not realistic,but perhaps it was not made to be,but even worst,the actors simply can't act.It was poor acting,especially the lead actress.I wont even bother to mention the ending,because it's not even worthy of being mentioned.

This Lifetime movie is not one of their true life crime pictures, but rather a variation on Liam Neeson's own movie of the same name. There are parallels, as NYC cop Benz sees off her daughter and friend on a trip to Moscow. Despite trying to warn her about the dangers, its clear the airhead will soon be ignoring mom and looking for fun in a foreign land. When the inevitable happens and the girls are snatched by a sex trafficking gang, Benz snaps into action. She flies to Russia, takes no guff from the ineffective cops, and with help from an Embassy security officer, is soon gunning down Russkie gangsters as she hones in on the captives. The men here are hopeless, either obstructive, unhelpful or murderous. It makes a refreshing change to see a movie where two women take bold decisions. This is a great opportunity for the versatile Benz, who could have a whole new career if there only there was a demand for female action films . She continues to make interesting choices and it doesn't hurt that she is also insanely attractive

Entertaining female version of Taken set in Moscow. It's fun for fans to see the differences and similarities. Julie Benz is quite a likable police officer. Her daughter visits Moscow with her friend who is the daughter of the U.S. Ambassador to Russia. They go to a night club and get kidnapped for sex slavery.

Of course the high heels and long hair during chases are a little unrealistic but who cares. The Ambassador looks and behaves more like support staff. And it's not as exciting or well written as a big budget movie but for a lifetime movie it is better than expected. Nice team work at play - it's not so unrealistic that she could do it all herself.

Worth a watch especially if you are a fan of the Taken formula.