Summary of "Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken - This set will be Taken your money": There are a ton of sci-fi actors in this mini-series. In alphabetical order: Julie Benz (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel), Eric Close (Dark Skies, Now and Again), Chad Donella (Disturbing Behavior, guest role on Smallville), Matt Frewer (Max Headroom, Psi Factor), Willie Garson (Mars Attacks!, guest role on Stargate SG-1), Adam Kaufman (guest role on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer), Max Martini (Harsh Realm), Ryan Merriman (The Pretender) and Michael Moriarty (Psi Factor, The Dead Zone - unaired pilot).
While the first episodes dragged on and on, the show picked up and the ending was impressive. I wouldn't recommend watching this in a short period of time, but watching it over a week or so makes it more bearable.
This set carries a hefty price tag, and I wonder what justifies it. It's an all right mini-series that runs for 14.75 hours and hardly contains any bonus material. I think Dreamworks is trying to pull a fast one on consumers. Here's a quote from the press release:
Available to own for the first time, the highly collectible Taken DVD boxed set includes the complete 10-episode series on five discs, along with a special sixth disc featuring hours of intriguing bonus programming. Offering viewers insight into every aspect of Taken, the DVD special features include never-before-seen footage, an insightful "Making of Taken," featurette revealing a behind-the-scenes look at this gripping action-packed epic, plus cast and crew bios, and more.
I found very little insightful material in the featurette on the discs. It's also under 40 minutes, and there aren't any cast and crew bios....and no "more" could be found on the disc either. If you've ever wondered why I insist on putting times beside every special feature, now you know. No wonder they don't list the special features on the box. Oh yes...try to avoid looking at the inside packaging with the pictures of the families; it contains a huge spoiler.
With a hefty price tag and few special features, I don't think I can recommend buying this set. A rental, sure, but not a purchase. (read entire review)
We just wanted to let you know about a Taken contest that Universal is having. Head over to http://www.electricartists.com/taken/contest.html and enter for your chance to win. Your odds of winning are... (read entire news item)
5/20/2003
More 'Taken' Information
DVD Exclusive magazine, a Variety publication, reveals more information about the upcoming DVD release of Steven Spielberg's Taken:
The 10-episode series is on five discs, with a sixth disc filled with... (read entire news item)
5/14/2003
This Fall, prepare to be 'Taken'
Dreamworks Home Entertainment, with help from distributor Universal Home Video, is set to have you Taken away this October 21st.
Steven Spielberg's tale of alien abduction, which aired on the Sci-Fi... (read entire news item)
