New on Netflix: The trilogy that changed Liam Neeson’s career

Until 2008, Liam Neeson was mostly recognized and admired for his roles in drama films and biopics, where he often played historical figures or complex characters. But against all odds, his career took a surprising turn, to say the least, with the release of Taken, an action thriller – scripted by Luc Besson – that literally transformed the actor into a true icon of the genre.

In Pierre Morell’s film, Liam Neeson plays Brian Mills, a former Secret Service agent who uses his skills to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The film surprised audiences and critics with its intensity and Neeson’s performance, which we never imagined could make such a transition to a 100% action role. The film was an instant success, with two sequels forming a profitable trilogy.

A before/after

The formula of Taken, combining a simple kidnapping plot with effective action scenes and the main character with unusual abilities, created a new niche for Liam Neeson, who had previously thought of Schindler’s List, the Star Wars prelogue or even Jean Valjean. In Les Misérables.

Since Taken, he’s been asked to do similar roles where his heroes use their extraordinary skills to kill scary, nasty villains! The Taken trilogy not only revived Neeson’s career by turning him into an action hero, but also influenced the genre, inspiring a series of films where older heroes become unexpected action heroes.

It didn’t stop there, Liam Neeson played a series of roles and could be seen in films like Non-Stop, The Territory of the Wolves and Night Run. In short, Taken was a turning point for Liam Neeson, who completely reinvented the second half of his career.

The Taken trilogy is now available on Netflix