Taken-Narrative Theory

In Taken the three Key notes- Character types by Propp, Equilibrium by Todorov and enigma and action codes Barthes are all included.

The trailer for Taken uses many narrative techniques typical for action movies. The protagonist also known as the hero is a strong determined american man who is unstoppable when it comes to his daughters safety. The antagonist also known as the villain are few people, a group of foreign Albanians that want money and drug young females. Their behaviour is what creates bravery in the hero's heart. The heroine is the young daughter who has been kidnapped by the villains she is reason for the action that takes place in the film.

There's a helper who checks how long the hero has to save his daughter, this puts a limit onto the hero which creates tension within the audience.The donor is forced to give clues as she is the ex of an individual villain.

Todorov:

In taken there's a beginning middle and end.

The Equilibrium is a happy family birthday party for the daughter as she is excited to get to see her dad after a very long time.

The disequilibrium is when she moves to Paris into a house and her friend is kidnapped so she quickly turns to her dad to for help and then is also kidnapped.

The new equilibrium is when the father goes into action to save his daughter and brings her back safely home.

Barthes:

An enigma code for taken is when the hero also known as the father is on the phone staring out while talking with emotion telling threats to the villain. This is an enigma code because as he talks in this way to the villain we all who are the audience are curious about what may happen next and what could actually happen between the dad and the villain.

An action code is when the daughter is in the house watching her friend being grabbed by these unknown people and so runs to another room crying explaining step by step what is going on to her father but then is taken too. This is action code because there's things happening which draws the audience into the film wondering why this is happening and what else is going on.

Taken representation

Taken

Throughout the trailer for Taken an american man is represented stereotypically aggressive and in a violent way alternatively  in Taken's case there's love and determination within the hero as he is on a mission to save his daughter. A lot like other actions film Liam Neeson who plays the lead-role there is a link within the way they are represented as they both come off to be very bold and vigorous. It suggests that there's a brave and tough sense in them. The females in Taken are not as powerful as the men as they seem to be more vulnerable and afraid. A female (the daughter) is being save by a man (the father) this is a strong daughter and father bond as he stops at nothing to keep his daughter safe. The girl is being rescued by the man mainly because in taken she's the daughter but also because she isn't as skilled and strong to be able to protect herself. The eastern-Europeans are represented daring. The beginning is typically represented as we are shown the love between the dad and daughter and a husband with a ex wife. The men are wild but mindful of their family. The human-traffickers in Taken are Albanian who are foreign and a couple of troubled men that need money and so kidnap and sell young females also because they are stereotyped because of their culture so its reinforced. At first when the American girl is visiting Europe she feels very excited as its the first time, the house seems quite nice. After a while we see Europe to be dangerous as its presented as a place where young people suffer and get kidnapped and so immediately we feel as if its unsafe.