JackedPack Blog - Epic Fitness & Nutrition Tips

Meathead Cinema: "TAKEN"

Posted on Oct 08, 2012. 1 comment

Movie Review of “Taken” 

by Evan Clark NSCA-CPT

Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Half of Albania

Rating: “Prime Cut”, MeatHead Classic 5/5

Liam Neeson has presence. He is one of those actors who makes every film he is in more powerful and grand. I’m not sure if it is the Irish accent and his 6’4” frame, or the fact that his pre-acting resume includes being an amateur boxer and a fork lift operator for Guinness. Not to mention, Liam is a 60 year-young meathead pumping out gnarlier action flicks than most spry young bucks in Hollywood.

At first, I was going to write a standard film review of “Taken” but decided against it. My mom liked “Taken” and she hates most action flicks. Instead, of reviewing “Taken” lets learn from it and apply those lessons in the gymnasium. If you have not seen “Taken”, lets get you up to speed. “Taken” was a radical tale of a vindictive father on a mission to save his daughter, played by Maggie Grace, from human trafficking Albanians and forced prostitution. Whether you think the movie was Oscar worthy or not (which it is for Most Bad-Ass Film of 2008), most people have thought about what they would do if someone harmed their family.

In this magnificent film, Liam’s character Bryan Mills travels to France and wrecks shop and wreaks havoc until he gets what he wants: his daughter. Like Bryan, let us travel to the gym and wreak havoc until we get what we want, a solid pump and personal records.

Sure the French Intelligence and international security details try to keep him under control, but good luck. Metaphorically, all sorts of French Police are going to try to keep you in control and stop you from succeeding: a bad day at work killing your mentality, lack of motivation, some jamoke taking up a bunch of equipment and not letting you work in. Do not let these minor hindrances stop you from getting that earth-shattering workout and progressing into a state of Liam Neeson Swagger.

Of couse, neither Neeson, or his on screen persona, Bryan Mills, would be able to have the time or money to roll through Europe, killing bad guys, and finding his kidnapped daughter, if he wasn't saving tons of money and time as member of JackedPack.  There are rumors floating around that he is a Custom box member, where he discovered SuperHD by Cellucor which gave him the razor sharp focus he needed for his meticulous rampage. We are expecting a shout out in Liam's Oscar acceptance speech. 

So, next time you are getting ready to head to the sanctuary (the gym) I want you to call up first. Most likely someone at the front desk will answer. Ask them to put the nearest squat rack on the phone and tell it this:

“Good luck”