It's hard to believe that, a decade ago, Liam Neeson was better known for prestige Oscar dramas than high-octane action blockbusters. The Academy Award nominee spent the first 30 years of his career making his name in films such as "Kinsey" (2004), "Rob Roy" (1995) and Steven Spielberg's celebrated "Schindler's List" (1993), only briefly flirting with the world of blockbusters in George Lucas' "Star Wars" prequels. In his mid-50s, however, he launched a second career of sorts with "Taken," the 2008 smash hit that reinvented the actor and spawned a new trend in older action stars.
Meeting Neeson, now 62, it's easy to see what producer Luc Besson saw in him all those years ago. With a towering stature and deep, authoritative voice, there's an unmistakable air of toughness about him, which is what probably drew millions to see "Taken" and every Neeson-starring action film since.
The third installment of the "Taken" franchise sees Neeson's character, ex-government operative Bryan Mills, on the run himself — accused of a crime he didn't commit and forced to draw upon a "special set of skills" one last time to clear his name.