Not as good as 1st movie, but acceptable if you don't mind the flaws

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2014)

I read some reviews and many of them have a problem with how Istanbul was not show as the real city. I bet they are right on that criticism, but in my case I was (and still am) ignorant on how the real Turkey is. so that don't bother me. When you don't expect something, you don't get bother for inconsistency with reality. For example, an airline pilot would hate a unrealistic plane movie, when a regular person would not mind.
Back to Taken 2, the action was very good. Is true that in some situations was like "too good to be true". Things like guards not looking to prisoners, so they have a chance to escape. This happens in so many movies. Sometimes we forgive this, some other times we don't. Didn't bother me that much, but might be an issue for you if you expect Taken 2 be as realistic as Taken 1.
Maybe a reason I like it is because I didn't watch Taken 1 before I watch Taken 2. I mean, I watch Taken 2 first, and later I watch Taken 1. For that reason I watch Taken 2 without comparing to the previous movie. Work for me.
If you don't mind the Hollywood surrealism, and the fact that is not as good as the 1st movie, is enjoyable.
Actors great; action great; story great; visual effects great. Realism not so great; a few clichés are there about bad guys vs good guys.
If you plan to watch it, please don't try to compare it to the 1st movie. Also, you might want to leave real world political and cultural situation out of the window. Maybe a little of common sense too.
Worst movie? Incredible that some people say that so often about so many movies. Taken 2 have its flaws, but there are good things too that make the bad things not that bad.