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.