Excellent Film - A joy to watch

Rating: 10/10 (4 October 2012)

This film was fantastic.
I loved the first film and it was a surprise breakout hit of the year. So when I heard a sequel was coming, I was there for the first showing in my local cinema.
As a sequel - it did have a problem of trying to put these ordinary characters into an impossible situation yet again. The first time you could imagine the circumstances behind the kidnapping and relate to the idea that this happens in the real world and it was spot-lighting a true tragedy in the world today. As a sequel, it couldn't repeat any of that without it looking copied or forced into the plot. The writers had to find a way of bringing the same cast back while tying it into the events of the last film somehow. While they did this superbly, it has to be said that the 'this might happen to your daughter' angle that the first film gave is not present in this film. This is more of an action driven showcase which is about the world these characters have created for themselves, not one they have been thrust into.
I was fine with this as it's a sequel - but some of the other reviewers on this site appear to have wanted a complete remake of the original - which this is most definitely not. It takes the elements that made the original outstanding and tries to build something new with them - which I applaud tremendously.
The use of intelligent spy work is still present. The mixed fighting styles, gun fights, car chases etc all still there making this a great film. The only thing really missing was the tying up of the mum / dad getting back together storyline that they started at the beginning but abandoned when it could have been acknowledged with a simply kiss at the very end of the film.
Because the first film showed us a new form of crime on the big screen that had not been explored before, and a whole criminal empire with a brand new action super spy to play with, it will forever be the best in the series - no matter how many sequels they make. But this film stands firmly up there with it as one of the best films of its year and you can be sure I will be first in line for the third film also when they undoubtedly make that also.
This film is already in my top 10 of favourite films of all time and I thank everyone who had a hand in making it a success.