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Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 35 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

  • Starring: Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland
  • Summary: FBI profiler Special Agent Illeana Scott (Jolie) suddenly finds herself on a twisted and terrifying journey, surrounded by suspects in a case that has become chillingly personal. (Warner Bros.)
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 35
  2. Negative: 13 out of 35
  1. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    A somber, absorbing thriller that treads familiar psycho serial killer terrain with style. Elegantly made and comparatively restrained in cramming sick and grisly stuff down the audience's throat.
  2. From a technical standpoint, Taking Lives is competent and sometimes even impressive. It is cleanly edited and nicely shot -- at times as cool and rich as a York Peppermint Pattie. Beyond that, there is not much to say.
  3. Clearly, much care and intelligence have been lavished on discouraging, routine material.
  4. 38
    Even though Taking Lives is not very good, it does contain a) a cool car chase and b) a sex scene in which Jolie goes topless. For some, this will be enough entertainment.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. Dan
    9
    Definitely underrated. I thought the characters were amazing. The back and forth between Hawke and Jolie was very well done. I thought Jolie's character was well developed for this type of film. Her quirks and oddities are intriguing at the very least. She is not portrayed as a weak willed woman who can't defend herself. But on the other hand she isn't some unrealistic beauty who can handle everything herself in a really tight dress and finish the scene with a witty line. Bottom line: Jolie plays her character with flaws, oddities, and REALISM! It works! Sutherland's important, yet brief, role helped tie the two parts of the story very well. I thought the plot was well thought out.... It made sense, and was not corny. Not going to talk much about it because I do not want to spoil anything. And the filmwork was probably the best I've seen recently. The focus on the eyes was really interesting because it highlighted everything. It allowed the audience to get in the head of the characters, particularly Jolie. The angles were interesting and beautiful. It gave off the feal of a dark, brooding noir, yet having some extra character. The colors were brought out in interesting ways, particularly in driving sequences, like when Hawke is being escorted back to his apartment by Jolie. Overall an impressive film. Expand
  2. Abby
    6
    This movie was actually not bad. The out of place sex scene, the elevator, the hidden room, the cops who weren't really doing their job there were a lot of things wrong but it's worth seeing. Expand
  3. NickA.
    4
    D.J. Caruso
  4. It's punctuated by a beautiful, passionate sex scene that's both wild and graceful. The thing is, it's supposed to be a thriller, and it lacks both plot and characters of any interest. Expand

See all 18 User Reviews

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