Awesome content, but without substance.

Rating: 6/10 (12 October 2012)

When i sat down in the cinema i knew exactly what i was going in to. I had seen the trailers for Taken 2 several times beforehand, as well as having watched the first movie the night before. So it wasn't to my surprise when the plot revolved around the main characters (Excellently portrayed by Liam Neeson, as always) daughter, and this time also ex- wife, getting kidnapped. This being an interesting concept to return to for the sequel, sadly ends up being a somewhat lackluster experience on some points.
I have two main issues with the movie:
First of all is the main villains motivation. In the first movie the villains son is, and one of many, killed by our main character in his pursuit of his daughter. The movie opens up with a scene, also seen in the trailer, where the villain stands by the graves of his sons and others, securing his folks on how they're going to get their revenge, which is what the movie is all about. The guy just wants revenge, and does so by (suprise) this time kidnapping our main character and his family. This ends up with our hero breaking free as the first, where after most of the movie is about him getting him, his daughter and ex- wife together in one place. It is really hard to believe in the villain of this movie, when his only train of thought is a caveman-like mentality of simple revenge.
And my second issue: There is no real climax, although there is many points where it feels like the movie is leading up to one, but every time without any satisfying outcome, but just more pursuing of his family. It feels like an endless chase decorated with cool moves, fights and car chases. And those the movie do good, nonetheless, but i can't help but feeling that in the end they're pointless.
I left the cinema with some awesome laughs of great fighting and stunt scenes along with some clever James Bond-like tricks. However, it all ends up just feeling like awesome icing on a not as awesome cake. Still a good movie, but not as good as the first at all.