Like most attempts at a franchise movie, Taken 2, fails miserably and at best is a grade C video movie.
Former special-ops guy Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) appears to be a kinder, gentler, one man killing machine who spends more time with his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) and ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen). When Lenore informs Brian that her new husband is a creep, Brian invites them to meet him in Istanbul where he is finishing up some work. (Who invites people to Istanbul for a family get together?) Unfortunately for Brian, the father (Rade Serbedzija) of one the sex traffickers that he whacked while seeking revenge for the kidnapping of his daughter in Paris (Taken) has tracked him down and wants to kill his wife, daughter, and then Brian himself.
The crooks now have taken Brian’s wife and we go through a whole series of hand-to-hand encounters, car chases, and military assault weapons blasts, as we did in Taken; except this time it is boring and predictable. French action producer Luc Benson needs to think of a new story line. What’s next? Will they take Brian’s dog in Taken 3?
Taken 2 does offer up some action for those of you who are adrenaline junkies, but you can catch the same rush by trying to dodge cars on the expressway. The best advice that I can give you is that if you know someone like Brian, please do not go on any vacations or family reunions with him at exotic locations. I hope you didn’t pay to watch this at the theaters.
Reviewer’s Note: Brian’s daughter Kim has failed the driver’s license test two times in the movie which hypothetically should put her in the 16-18 year-old bracket. If that is the case, then why does she look like a 25 year-old stripper?
My Rating: 2 out of 5 Please Don’t Take Anyone, Anymore, Again, Points.
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