Review of Taken (box set)

Introduction

Are we alone, or is there other life in the universe? If there is, what is it like? Taken asks the same driving question and takes an optimistic view of things. The series is based on what has been iterated time and again in countless conspiracy theories, but then it takes this and builds its own theory. This is based purely on being `taken` or abducted by aliens and coming up with a reason as to why it happens.

This is another of Spielberg`s forays into television. After the huge success of Band of Brothers, it was time to turn attentions to science fiction and the subject of alien abduction. Taken is a 10-part mini-series with each episode clocking in around 90-minutes. It spins a story spanning more than 50-years and four generations and tells of alien visitations, of abductions, and of experiments without giving us any real idea as to the purpose. We`re drip-fed theories as to the whys and wherefores of the aliens and we start to build contempt for them. We don`t understand what`s going on or why anymore than anyone else. Will it reveal itself?

All ten episodes are presented anamorphically on five discs and come with a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 EX or 2.0 soundtracks. The box carries a label warning about strobing light effects in episodes 6 and 9, so be warned and close your eyes, just in case.

Video

Taken is presented with a good 1.78:1 anamorphic video transfer. There is some grain, but it`s not a lot to complain about. The colours and style used throughout the series differed depending on the era. The 1940-50s period used more brown/green and muted tones. As we progress through the 70s, 80s and present day you can see a change in the look and feel. Couldn`t spot any glitches or other artefacts either.

Audio

There are two sound tracks to choose from. Choose from either Dolby Digital 5.1 EX or 2.0. This is a rarity in itself in that a television series gets a good soundtrack. Dialogue is clear from the centre and the sound here does make for a better watching/listening experience. Everything from the planes in battle, helicopters and UFOs use the rear surrounds when needed and does make Taken all the better for it. This is an ear opener for sure!

Features

This is presented in a big digipack. When you open up the box you`re presented with the family trees for all three families and all discs are labelled with the eras they represent. The sole extra is on disc 6.

• Inside Taken Documentary (42:42) - This is a glossy featurette, which makes for interesting watching the one time. While it doesn`t cover any particular topic in depth, you do get interviews with the cast, Spielberg, the writer Les Bohem and other crewmembers.

That`s it, just one featurette. I was disappointed that after all we get in the series there`s just one extra and one that doesn`t really scratch beyond the surface of the topics covered in the show. All episodes and the documentary carry English subtitles. Taken comes packaged in a digipack with a stiff outer box. Not sure how long it will be before this starts to show signs of wear and tear.

Conclusion

Taken follows four generations of three families from 1947 to the present day; one man represents the military, another is a former WW2 pilot and a survivor, the other is a neglected but compassionate mother. It starts in Roswell in the late 40s and it has the conspired cover ups involving weather balloons, alien captivity, and numerous UFO sightings. Nothing new there, except for more focus on the abductions with these family members with flashbacks to the events. It`s an interesting way to tell a story spanning over 50 years, and seems rather harrowing that it`s being passed on from generation to generation.

Starting in the 40s we`re introduced to the key characters. There`s ruthless Capt. Owen Crawford and his single-minded pursuit and control of the whole alien operation. Capt. Russell Keys, a fighter pilot with keen survival instincts who is `taken`, and Sally Clarke. Sally meets an alien in human form and forms a strong intimate bond, which results in her giving birth to a part alien, part human baby named Jacob. Cue lots of cover-up and conspiracy. Jacob grows to have extraordinary `gifts` and the military are in pursuit. Meanwhile Capt. Keys` son, Jesse, is the next target for alien abduction. At this point we`re none the wiser as to why Jesse is taken, but it does become clearer down the line. The pursuit for truth is still as strong a desire as ever.

We watch Jesse and Jacob growing up with their difficulties in coping with the abductions and abilities they have. Jesse is still trying to ward off the aliens and fights in vain. This is a key attribute.

They in turn start their own families. Capt. Crawford has a family too and as his children become of age, they take over the mantle in hunting down these aliens and the abductees. There are many entanglements between all three families through the years. Skip forward a few years and we meet the next generation, Jacob`s daughter Lisa and Jesse`s son Charlie. The pair met by chance in Seattle in the 90s while Charlie was researching other abductees. This is the first time that two members of the key family`s meet and find that they have much in common. Around this time we`re introduced to Lisa`s daughter, Allie, who plays an integral part in the whole puzzle. Allie also provides the voiceover we hear a lot of throughout the series.

The first two-thirds of the series seem to skip a lot of years and sometimes it can be a bit disconcerting seeing the timeline jump so rapidly. There are many events that take place in the episodes that make it worthwhile sticking with so it would be a shame to spoil things by detailing it all here!

What do the aliens want after all this trouble? That would be telling, but there are reasonable theories as to why they want to interbreed in the first place.

I did my best to stay away from the reviews of the TV series in the press/online and wherever else but this didn`t stop the rumblings of `average` or `nothing special` from seeping into my consciousness. Having missed it completely on television now was the time to sit and watch it. All 14 hours and 45 minutes worth. I`ll admit that I wasn`t overly keen on Allie`s voiceover narrating throughout the series as I thought it was some smart-alecky kid with no real bearing other than to irritate. However, as the series went on and I was introduced to her character I better understood her ramblings and appreciated them more. Some will like it, some won`t. The format of the series split into 90-minute episodes works well and there`s definitely a lot more scope here to tell the story than a 2-hour film.

The casting choice in Dakota Fanning as Allie is a real surprise. She certainly makes an impression for such a young actor in the part of a human/alien breed. The actors playing the unrelenting Crawford family are suitably cold and ruthless, sometimes a bit too unbelievable in the lengths that they`d go to in their single-minded pursuit. The others act fine with the older Charlie turning in a very good performance as a troubled young man.

There was just one episode near the middle, which seemed to slow things down somewhat, but the pace did pick up again after this. On the extras front there`s just the one extra, which is a shame since a big audience has enjoyed the series. The odd audio commentary and cast/crew bio might have been interesting. As would more factual content related to the topic of being `taken`. Don`t let this lack of extra content dissuade you however from getting the set; Taken is an enjoyable mini-series and one that I plan on watching again. Watching all the episodes back-to-back is very satisfying. Recommended.