The Take - Take it or leave it

I was trying to work in a ‘Taken’ pun somewhere, but, try as I might, ‘The Take’ isn’t that much like Liam Neeson’s ‘Taken’ saga to warrant its inclusion.  If you want to know what ‘The Take’ is like then I’d describe it as one of those – oh-what-do-you-call-them – type films.  In other words, those films that fall into that middle-of-the-road category that you watch because you kind of like them, but probably won’t remember them in X amount of days.

The only thing that makes it less forgettable than the rest is the ever-reliable Idris Elba who plays a CIA agent based in a European city (which I think was Paris, however it’s been over a week since I watched the film, so details are already a little bit sketchy!).  Anyway, a young thief (played by Richard Madden who was best-known for his ‘Rob Stark’ in ‘Game of Thrones’) accidentally steals a handbag containing a terrorist’s bomb (see, kids?  Crime doesn’t pay!).  So, when it goes off, all the authorities think it’s him.  Luckily Mr Elba can see the thief through the smoke and picks him up first, allowing the pair of them a little time to clear the thief’s name, bring the real culprits to justice and also stop another attack on the capital.  All in a day’s work for Idris.

So, expect the shoot-outs, expect the car chases and expect a reasonable amount of banter between the straight-laced Idris and the anti-hero Madden.  I know I’m being a little flippant when I’m describing it, but it’s a decent enough affair.  It has everything you’ll want from a thriller, with the possible exception of originality.  It’s nothing you haven’t seen before (sometimes better, sometimes worse).  The two leads play off each other well enough to at least make this worth a watch.  How many times you’ll want to watch it afterwards may be another matter.

If you’re a fan of either of the two main leads, or just can’t get enough of those films that – sort of – feel a bit like the ‘Bourne’ franchise (i.e. chases across European cities pursued by rogue agents) then you may get more than most out of this flick.  Otherwise, it’s basically one of those ‘rent-before-you-buy’ type films.  If it’s on Netflix or Amazon Instant video – it should fill a gap in your viewing schedule.

6/10 Should probably keep you awake if Freddy Krueger was haunting your nights