Four years ago, the action/thriller "Taken" became a worldwide hit and showed that world that Liam Neeson can be a death dealing action star, the same as Matt Damon did with the "Bourne" series. So naturally, as Hollywood always does when lots of money can be made, a sequel to "Taken" was created with a catchy, original title..."Taken 2."
Now I know what you're thinking, "Is the girl just going to get taken again?" Well, you'll have to see for yourself, and it will be worth seeing too. "Taken 2" is not just the same-old plot recycled from the last film (although there is lots of similar elements obviously) and it will be sure to entertain and action or Liam Neeson fans.
Bryan Mills (Neeson) killed a lot of people to get his daughter back in the first movie, and the relatives of those people are not very happy. The film opens with the family members of these men attending a funeral as Murad Krasniqi (Rade Serbedzija) vows for vengeance upon Mills and his family.
Krasniqi and his brothers/sons get their shot at Mills while he is traveling in Istanbul with his daughter (Maggie Grace) and ex-wife (Famke Janssen). What started as a birthday surprise for his daughter quickly turns into another nightmare as Mills has to once again use his "certain set of skills" to save both his daughter and her mother from the wrath of those who seek to make him suffer.
The plot, much like the first film, is a simple one. All is well until someone is taken resulting in a killing spree/rescue mission with lots of guns and fists. I can say this, this pattern is just as entertaining as it was four years ago. Suspense is still a plenty and entertainment is not lost in the sequel. The good thing about the plot is that the film makers didn't want to make the exact same film over again. Instead they said, "What did we not work with in the first film that we can work with in this one?"
For example, instead of having the daughter just happen to be taken again, it's the family of baddies from the first film out for revenge. Instead of just making the film about a man saving his daughter, let's create a stronger emotional dynamic between the husband, ex-wife, and daughter. Also, let's see what would happen if the dad gets taken and the daughter has to try to find him (with his help of course). All of these plot elements help give the film a plot of it's own, even though the very base of the story line is the same.
And the action is in an even greater supply this time around. Car chases, gun fights, and slick hand-to-hand combat fill the movie with adrenaline in a very Jason Bourne-esque way (and that's a good thing). But the cinematography in "Taken 2" has improved in terms of action sequences. In the first film the filming was very clean-cut and had a flow to it. But I believe to make action scenes real and gritty, a different style is needed. In this new film the shots and camera angles are quick, choppy, and up close to the actors (again very Jason Bourne-esque) and it definitely improved the action style from the first film. And whoever is Liam Neeson's fight choreographer is incredible, because watching him beat down guy after guy is just incredibly satisfying.
Will you see similarities between "Taken" and "Taken 2"? Yes, several in fact. But there is more than just old ideas being brought into this new film, and enough of it to continue to keep the viewer interested. Add that to everything that made the first film such a great action movie and what more can you ask for? Liam Neeson has once again provided a great piece of action movie eye-candy that will be sure to please. I give it three stars out of four.
"Taken 2" has a running time of 90 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action and some sensuality.
