About what you'd expect from a routine sequel with the number 2 in the title.

Rating: 7/10 (17 October 2012)

'TAKEN 2': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
The now iconic Liam Neeson returns to the role that made him an action star in this sequel to the 2008 surprise hit. The film is once again produced and co-written by action master Luc Besson. It's also co-written by Besson's usual writing partner Robert Mark Kamen (who also co-wrote the original). It was directed this time around by Olivier Megaton, who also directed the Besson and Kamen scripted action films 'TRANSPORTER 3' and 'COLOMBIANA'. Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser and Jon Gries reprise their roles from the first film and Rade Serbedzija joins the cast as the movie's main villain. If you liked the first film and just enjoy watching Liam Neeson kick some major ass you should enjoy this sequel but it has absolutely nothing fresh or new to offer.
Neeson reprises his role as Bryan Mills, the unstoppable CIA badass. This time he's on assignment in Istanbul and has invited his ex-wife Lenore (Janssen) and daughter Kim (Grace) along with him. Just as Kim is starting a relationship with a young man (Luke Grimes), Bryan is suspicious of, Lenore is now having relationship troubles with her second husband. The trip gives Bryan a chance to rekindle his lost romance with his ex-wife, much to the delight of his daughter. Bad guys of course have to interrupt things though. The family of the men Bryan killed in the first film (while rescuing his kidnapped daughter) now want revenge and have tracked Mills to Istanbul. They're lead by Murad Krasniqi (Serbedzija), who especially wants revenge for the death of his son (who Mills electrocuted to death in the original film). They kidnap Bryan and Lenore but Bryan is able to warn his daughter in time for her to flee her captors. Kim then aids in the rescue of her parents this time around, by following the advice of her knowledgeable father.
The movie is extremely fast paced and the bulk of it's action takes place over a matter of hours. The action is stylishly directed and exhilarating with Neeson once again showing what a cool badass he can be. Neeson has reached legendary status in film now and rivals any Hollywood tough guy (even at age 60). Janssen and Grace are beautiful but no acting is really required and Grace is getting way too old to play the sweet young daughter role. The movie, like all of Besson's films, is weak on dialogue and cheesy when it's mellow but when the action is roaring it's one hell of a ride. Nothing new or original at all but about what you'd expect from a routine sequel with the number 2 in the title.
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