Taken 2

I enjoyed this movie as a no-brainer action/thriller flick. Sure, it has a bunch of illogical and idiotic elements in but I have seen a lot worse. The movie certainly do not deserve the ridiculously low ratings that some people have given it.

It is perhaps not as good as the first movie, mostly due to the silly bits and pieces, but as a plain vanilla action/thriller it is certainly passable. I generally do like Liam Neeson. I did like him in the first Taken movie and I do like him in this one. The other actors with the possible exception of his wife and daughter are mostly there to fill up the scenes.

After a semi-dull beginning which is pretty much just setting up a reason for them all being in Istanbul, Bryan and his wife is, surprise, surprise, taken and that is pretty much when the action starts and from there on it is pretty much action all the way.

As have been mentioned, there are a lot of stupid things happening in the movie. Dropping grenades in the middle of Istanbul seemingly without anyone really reacting for instance. Bryan’s daughter have failed to take a drivers licence in the states several times but still, when thrown into a car with a manual gear stick, she handles the car like a stunt driver. Then we have a violin player that sits in the same spot all the time? Not to mention crashing into the embassy while being fired upon by the embassy marine guards and then they can just sit there in the wrecked car, in front of the embassy, while Bryan calls for help from some guy playing golf in the states.

It is clear that the Luc Besson didn’t really put realism very high on his agenda for this movie. But then this wouldn’t be the first time for him. Overlook the silliness and you have a decent enough action/thriller flick. At least I enjoyed it and I am normally not too forgiving when it comes to stupid and unrealistic stuff in movies.

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.