Taken 2

The director of this jamboree is appropriately named Olivier Megaton.

Moviegoers who liked Taken and want more of the same will get precisely that.

Just a mediocre action franchise with a solid actor at the head and a travelogue in its heart.

A movie with no surprises at all, a streamlined chase flick that is running on the fumes from recycled fuel.

Taken 2 has a plot that could have been written by a GPS program, and contains all the technical charm that conjures up.

Some of the basic pleasures of the original remain intact (nobody shoots up a small room of bearded Eastern European men like Neeson), but ultimately the film feels compromised.

A cynical film which has only been made, apparently, to squeeze the pockets of anyone who enjoyed the first movie. Why give them the satisfaction?

If you enjoyed Taken you will enjoy this, too. Good casting, good action, good film. As mush as Neeson's character wants to take charge, it is nice to see him learn to train and then defer to others.

Taken 2 brings back Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, and while it does not hit the same level of intensity as the first movie, it delivers a solid follow-up with a revenge-driven plot. This time around, the villains have more depth, making the conflict feel more personal and engaging. The story does a good job of tying up loose ends from the first film while keeping the stakes high. There are a few moments that feel a little too convenient, but overall, the pacing keeps things moving, even if the first act stretches a bit longer than necessary. The directing is decent, keeping the action tight and the tension high, though some of the editing choices make certain scenes feel choppy. The cinematography captures the atmosphere of Istanbul well, adding a fresh backdrop that sets it apart from the first movie. The action sequences are well-executed, especially the car chase, which stands out as one of the film’s more exciting moments. There are a few moments where logic takes a backseat, but that is expected in this kind of action film. Liam Neeson once again delivers as the no-nonsense ex-CIA operative, bringing the same presence that made him so great in the first movie. Maggie Grace gets more to do this time around, which adds some nice character growth, while Famke Janssen provides solid support. The villains are more developed compared to the first film, which adds a nice layer of tension. The script has its moments, especially with a few well-placed lines that add depth to the characters, but there are also some awkward or forced moments that do not quite land. The score does its job, keeping the tension in check and elevating the action scenes, but it is not particularly memorable. Sound design plays an important role in the film’s atmosphere, especially during key sequences like the chase scenes and fights. Overall, Taken 2 does not surpass the original, but it is still an enjoyable watch with plenty of action, a solid revenge story, and a few good character moments. If you liked the first one, you will probably have a good time with this one too.

If you like Neeson you'll enjoy this second film, which is more of the same.

Öncelikle abimiz madem bu kadar tecrübeli, öldürdüğü adamların intikamını almaya gelecek birileri olduğunu tahmin edebilmeliydi. Hadi tamam bu neyse de, ya hiç mi araştırmadınız bu Türkiye nasıl bir yer. Allah'ım Ya Rabbim. Film güzel olsa bunlara göz yumabilirim ama maalesef...

'Taken 2' is more than just a disappointing sequel, while it has its fair share of great action movie moments, it is unbalanced and horrendously manufactured. I was mildly underwhelmed by the predecessor, 'Taken' (2008) also had great moments of action galore and made Liam Neeson the action star he is. Here, he once again proves why he should be the front man of any action movie, but unfortunately the screenplay allows for some silly moments aplenty. Bryan Mills (Neeson) is back, and treats his family, Lenore (Famke Jannsen) and Kim (Maggie Grace) to a holiday in Istanbul, meanwhile, the fathers of the kidnappers who Bryan killed in the previous film seek out revenge. They manage to track Bryan in his holiday destination, and both Bryan and Lenore end up getting kidnapped, leaving Kim to try and do everything to make sure they get out alive. Bryan manages to instruct Kim on what to do, and they both have to try and find Lenore before it's too late. The sequel does what it promises with its premise, seeing our main hero getting kidnapped by those who want revenge was pretty much all this had going for it. Unfortunately, there's not enough to keep you interested as most of what goes on is rather ludicrous and at times, laughable. The cast do a good job carrying the movie, but the direction by Olivier Megaton is rather uninspired, most of the action scenes are not visible as it is hard to track what is going on. Too many edits is an eyesore. This is a sequel that should remain neglected.