‘Taken’ takes its time coming ashore

Movie: "Taken"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace

Director: Pierre Morel

The story: An ex-CIA agent returns to action to save his estranged daughter, who has been kidnapped by human traffickers during a visit to Paris.

The buzz: Co-written and produced by French action specialist Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Professional"), directed by cinematographer-turned-director Morel ("District B13"), this action thriller reversed the usual trend of opening in the United States and then going overseas. Instead, it opened around the world in 2008, debuting almost a year ago in France before playing in theaters from Israel to Australia. After it opens Friday in the United States, there's one more territory to conquer: Germany, on Feb. 19.