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Dom Robinson reviews
- Cert:
- Cat.no: 8300102
- Running time: 885 minutes
- Year: 2002
- Pressing: 2003
- Region(s): 2, 4 (UK PAL)
- Chapters: 90 plus extras
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: English
- Widescreen: 1.78:1 (16:9)
- 16:9-enhanced: Yes
- Macrovision: Yes
- Disc Format: 5 * DVD 9, 1 * DVD 5
- Price: £49.99
- Extras:”Inside Taken” documentary
Directors:
- Breck Eisner, Felix Enriquez Alcala, John Fawcett, Tobe Hooper, Jeremy PaulKagan, Michael Katleman, Sergio Mirnica-Gezzan, Bryan Spicer, Jeff Woolnoughand Thomas J Wright
Producer:
- Richard Heus
Written and created by:
- Leslie Bohem
Original Music :
- Laura Karpman
Cast :
- Capt. Owen Crawford: Joel Gretsch
Anne Crawford: Tina Holmes
Capt. Russell Keys: Steve Burton
Kate Keys: Julie Benz
Sally Clarke: Catherine Dent
John: Eric Close
Jesse Keys (teen): James Kirk
Jesse Keys (adult): Desmond Harrington
Amelia Keys: Julie Ann Emery
Charlie Keys (adult): Adam Kaufman
Sam Crawford: Ryan Merriman
Julie Crawford: Emily Holmes
Eric Crawford (adult): Andy Powers
Mary Crawford (adult): Heather Donahue
Tom Clarke (adult): Ryan Hurst
Becky Clarke (adult): Chad Morgan
Jacob Clarke (child): Anton Yelchin
Jacob Clarke (adult): Chad Donella
Carol Clarke: Sadie Lawrence
Lisa Clarke (adult): Emily Bergl
Allie Keys: Dakota Fanning
Dr Chet Wakeman: Matt Frewer
When this series began on BBC2, I wasn’t quite “Taken” with it.This DVD release, so soon after the broadcast, is a chance to give it another goand this time it does seem a lot more intriguing. Perhaps that’s partly downto not having to endure a bright “BBC THREE” logo onscreen, or loudinterruptions as soon as the end credits begin, not to mention shrinking themup so they can barely be seen, such as the want of the so-called public servicebroadcaster.
Aliens have crash-landed in small-town America, largely populated bysmall-minded people and the only downside to this programme is that the uninvitedguests look just like we’ve come to expect from many a film that’s gone before,which is partly what put me off beforehand. It’s worth looking beyond that thoughas the plot transcends across three families and 50 years, from World War IIto the present, throughout the ten near-90-minute episodes.
Within even the first ten years of the plot, the US Army still haven’t figuredout what powered the alien craft, despite taking it apart. How do you controla device that doesn’t even have an engine? Due to an early encounter theybelieve it’s harnessed in the power of the mind, but just what sort of humancould achieve such a thing? Perhaps someone with psychic abilities but eventhat’s not a given. At the same time, selected members of the publicare disappearing briefly… they’re being ‘taken’ by the aliens to beexperimented upon before being put back. But for what purpose?
Taken is a series that’s much better than I originally gave it creditfor, but I think they should’ve shyed away from showing what the aliens looklike it they can’t make them look particularly original. Of course, it also doesget a bit moralistic at times, such as when some characters attempting tofight the prejudices of the time.
As for the actors, it’s a brave thing to film a series with an almost completelyunknown cast, but they work together and spar off each other well. It’s bestto start viewing without any preconceived ideas about any one character so Iwon’t go into any individual details. However, one thing I can make clear isthat it’s far from ‘Spielberg aliens for kids’ this time. It can get veryviolent and certainly earns its 15-certificate.
The disc is presented in the original 16:9 anamorphic widescreen ratio as wasbroadcast on TV – and even analogue BBC2 showed it in 16:9 letterbox – and theimage on view has no defects to be found. It can look a little soft at times,but that’s due to the way it was filmed.
On DVD you get the benefits of Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Most of the show usesit mainly for ambience, but when the need comes for split-surround action oran effect going from front to back and vice versa, it’s a clear and pleasingexperience.
This package contains the series on five discs, with two episodes to each disc,plus a sixth for the special features. Alas, despite all that space there’sjust a single piece of supplementary material – a 42-minute documentary aboutthe series, called “Inside Taken”. I found it rather unnaturalthe way those talking spoke to the camera looked directly on into it. Thisextra is presented in 16:9 letterbox, blending clips of the programme in thesame format.
The main menus have a small amount of animation and sound that’s repeated ina loop, Subtitles are in English and there are 10 chapters per episode, butthese aren’t quite evenly spread.
PICTURE QUALITY
SOUND QUALITY
EXTRAS
OVERALL
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.