Narrative Theory

Propp's Character Types The trailer for Taken uses many narrative techniques typical for a Hollywood movies. Using Propp's character theory, Liam Neeson plays the protagonist in the character Bryan. He clearly fits the hero character role as he slowly figures out where is daughter is kept and tries to rescue her from the sex traffickers in Paris. Maggie Grace who is kidnapped by foreigners plays the heroine or victim in the film. Maggie Grace, Kim in the movie Taken, fits perfectly as the heroine character since she needs saving form the protagonist, the father. Leland Orser plays Sam. the helper, in taken. He plays the role of the donor who gives information to Bryan to help save the heroine.

Todorov's Equilibrium Theory
The film's narrative is clearly presented in the trailer and follows Todorov's theory on equilibrium. The state of balance starts of with the character Kim having a birthday where everything seems peaceful and perfectly normal. The disequilibrium is when Bryan unwillingly agrees in sending Kim to Paris where she sex traffickers kidnap her . Bryan uses violence and fighting to find where his daughter has been kept. There is no new equilibrium in taken because they did not want to spoil the movie for the audience and it was for marketing supposes so more people could watch the movie. 

Barthes Enigma and Action codes
In the trailer Taken, is full of Barthe's enigma and action codes. They are designed to the draw the audience and encourage them to watch the whole film since they will be left wondering why it happened and whats gonna happen next. By watching the the film it will resolve their questions. The main enigmas which the audience would want resolve by watching the movie would be the question: whats going to happen to Amanda and Kim after being kidnapped?, are they going to be used as entertainment for the sex traffickers?, will Bryan be able to save his daughter?, In the process of rescuing, will it resort to Bryan dying? Lots of the action codes are used in crime, thriller genre. In Taken, most action codes are used at the end of the film where hes breaking through windows, battling through Marko's (villain) army just to rescue is daughter. This suggests that there will be moments of tension and suspense and the only way to see these resolved and fill is to see the whole movie.