Sci-Fi’s epic ‘Taken’ an addictive story powered by human nature

As the miniseries “Taken” begins, pilot Russell Keys (Steve Burton) gets shot during a World War II fight above France. Suddenly, a mysterious blue light envelops his plane, saving him and his crew of nine men from sure death.

One thing is clear: We’re in for a wild ride.

The 10-part, 20-hour epic from executive producer Steven Spielberg, shown Monday through Friday this week and next at 9 p.m. on the Sci-Fi Channel, weaves the extraordinary stories of three ordinary families through several generations of alien encounters and government conspiracy. The digital effects can be dazzling, but what makes “Taken” special is Leslie Bohem’s script, which uses the bizarre history of UFO lore as the backbone for an addictive tale of deception, faith and loneliness in postwar America.

Tonight’s opener, directed with gusto by Tobe Hooper of “Poltergeist” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” introduces the three families -- the Keys, the Crawfords and the Clarkes -- whose destinies will eventually collide as the secrets of decades are revealed. Hooper is one of 10 directors used in the project.

After the war, intense nightmares and headaches prevent Keys from returning to normal life. Meanwhile, unscrupulous Army Capt. Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch) leads a search into a UFO crash in the desert near his base in Roswell, N.M., in 1947. And in nearby Texas, lonely mother Sally Clarke (Catherine Dent) meets a mysterious stranger (Eric Close) who is gentle, handsome -- and not what he seems.

Through voice-over, we also meet Allie Keys (Dakota Fanning from “I Am Sam”), the modern-day 10-year-old girl whose journey unifies “Taken.” Fanning heads a strong cast that also includes supporting players like Michael Moriarty as a truth-averse military officer and Willie Garson as a spooky scientist.

This sprawling tale requires attention and a leap of faith, but you will soon be swept along. For a hint at where it’s headed, listen tonight as Allie makes an observation about human nature: “Nobody wants to be alone.”