Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins in "Abduction"; photo courtesy of Lionsgate

“Abduction” (Lionsgate Films)

Taylor Lautner of “Twilight” fame gets his first starring role in a major motion picture in “Abduction.” In the “Twilight” series he has always been the other guy in the love triangle. Here he is front and center for the entire film. Unfortunately he is not yet at that level in his career where he can carry a movie. “Abduction” is made weaker by Lautner’s weak lead performance.

When the film starts Nathan (Lautner) is just a regular high school kid. He has a crush on his next door neighbor who is a girl named Karen (Lily Collins). It is to her he turns when he discovers his face on a missing persons website. This knowledge brings Nathan and Karen to the attention of an evil group who wants to kidnap Nathan. They go on the run and that makes up most of the movie.

The issue is who can they trust. Is the CIA Agent (Alfred Molina) their friend or someone who wants them dead? What about the woman who was Nathan’s counselor (Sigourney Weaver)? She gives them good advice and leads them in the direction of Nathan’s father. But every time they think they have found the right person it turns out wrong.

Both Lautner and Collins are weak in this film in the acting department. Lautner seems to think staring blankly shows intensity. Collins just whispers words of support. They don’t even have a large amount of chemistry between them. Lautner however is up to the action requirements of the role. His clashes with the bad guys are completely believable.

The supporting cast is loaded with big names including Molina, Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Maria Bello and Denzel Whitaker. None of them are used to their maximum advantage and they become just passing sights on Lautner’s flight.

The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity & violence.

Taylor Lautner does have a certain charisma about him but it needs to be developed. He also has a huge fan base and they should help make mediocre movies like “Abduction” successful.

I scored “Abduction” a taken 5 out of 10.