Taken 2

Rating: 3/10 (18 June 2014)

In my thoughts, the stylish cinematography was mastered well by Romain Lacourbas. He used different range of colours like a Japanese production. My eyes captured the wonderful Los Angeles, Instanbul, Alabanian and Paris landscape without an ugly rush like some other fast pace action films. The visual was like staring into a painting. The technical challenges such as the quick camera shots was fantastic for the genre of the title. It made the film feel more action packed and tense.
To add, the electronic and acoustic soundtrack was beautiful to listen to because the notes were were written and played very well by the orchestra and computer. The soundtrack fitted well in a blockbuster action packed thriller. The sound was absolutely emotive.
In addition, the plot was supremely tense and gripping to the extent when I could not keep on track with my heart beats. Luc Beeson and Robert.M Kamen's imaginative script was definitely outside the box. The summary for the film: Bryan Mills reunites with his ex-wife and daughter on their holiday trip to Istanbul. All of a sudden, the family are stalked and hailed at serious danger by the Albanian Mafia who seek revenge. What makes me love 'Taken 2' is the fact that it related to the first movie but the only difference was that Kim Mills played by (Maggie Grace) had to return the favour by saving her father from dangerous Albanian mobsters who hailed him and his wife hostage in a secret location. It was horrifying to know the fact that Bryan and his wife Lenore were kidnapped and hailed hostage in a warehouse by the Albanian criminals. Not only that but 'Taken 2' was more brutal and less sensitive like 'Taken 1'. It soaked the movie with the thrill of tense bloody violent sequences like foot and car chases, massive shoot outs and explosions. The screenplay sucked in the theme family values and how the Albanians and the Mills' fought for their honour and survival. In my interpretation, Istanbul was a great place to shoot an action movie because of the Islamic culture, caved buildings, narrow alley ways and other Islamic elements which connects with architecture and culture.
As a conclusion, I will give Oliver Megaton's directed picture an 8/10.