In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.

Directed: Olivier Megaton

Stars: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen

What we think: Taken was one of the sleeper hits of 2008 so there was no surprise when it was announced that Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) would be back in the thick of it once again.

However, one wondered exactly how the film would pan out in terms of plot and just who would be ‘taken’ this time?

Pierre Morel was not coming back for the sequel and so the directorial reigns were handed over to Olivier Megaton (Transporter 3).

It’s all about revenge as the families of the victims Mills dispatched with ease last time want retribution for him and his family.

Set in Istanbul Mills takes his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) and ex-wife (Famke Janssen) whose having her own marital problems, to Turkey for some bonding after he completes a little job.

He’s tracked down fairly easily and within minutes he’s rushing through the streets and back alleys cracking heads and breaking limbs.

Unable to avoid capture both he and his ex-wife are taken and it’s up to young Kim to become the expert tactical genius who in a matter of minutes can map read, handle a gun and drive a car like Kimi Raikkonen.

I’m all for non-believable action but Taken 2 really pushes the boundaries and leaves plot holes scattered behind it.

First off and I’m sure everyone pointed it out, was Kim’s sudden driving skills. At the start of the film she’s failed her test already and is under the strict coaching of Daddy.

Fast forward to the escape in Istanbul and she’s flying around corners and reverse hand braking like a pro, now am I the only one who found this completely absurd. That and the unique way Mills gets her to discover his location using a few grenades.

It’s a film that you cannot take seriously for a second, the bad guys are about as villainous as Mr Tumble and the script is weak, it almost takes any credibility the first one had away.

The gritty nature the first film had is lost, and it feels rushed and disjointed, sad to say it’s laughable and not in a good way.

The fight choreography though is exceptional still and the shades of action are well put together, but the rest that is draped around it should long be forgotten.

There begs the question whether or not there is any legs left in this franchise for one more outing, I firmly believe that Neeson can do the job and do it well. But there would need to be a better script and certainly an 18 rating.

View the trailer

Visit the IMDb page for Taken 2

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