Taken Too Far...or Not Far Enough???

Rating: Null/10 (8 October 2012)

This movie made me feel confused, not from the plot but from the purpose of it.
The first movie was a great little thriller, introduced us to a world of sex traders who kidnap ex special agent Liam Neeson's daughter. This set up the thrilling and entertaining story that ensued. The first film also gave us a gritty view of beautiful Paris. The story and characters had substance, a purpose and we cared for them.
Therefore, did Taken 2 tarnish the reputation of the decent first installment and take the story too far? Should it have left it alone or should it have tried harder and taken it even further to dazzle us???
The theme for the second one is revenge. The relatives of all the people Liam killed in the first one are out for blood and want to kidnap Liam, Famke and Maggie this time, and bury them in their local town.
So they go to all the trouble (or no trouble at all - about three scenes worth of tracking) and eventually catch up with Liam and Family in Istanbul (whilst the over-protective Liam is on a security job for a rich Arab...hmm, not quite the smart, over-protective father after all!)
Anyway, they easily kidnap Liam and Famke, but leave him tied to a pipe with cable ties and a mobile phone (which they forgot to frisk him for!)
So, the clichéd inevitable happens and Liam breaks free, right after having a lengthy phone call to his daughter and give her directions to find him and give him a gun!!!
Liam then 'relatively safely' gets his daughter to the US embassy and goes back for his wife and easily takes out these 'useless bad guys'.
He even tries to reason with the bad guy and gives him a chance to stop hunting for him. But the bad guy tries to kill Liam so he manages to stick his head in a coat hanger. (Oh yeah, before that the bad guy mentions he also has two sons who will also want revenge too!!!)
Let me guess Taken 3????? I hope not, lets just remember the first one for its greatness and with the second one, you can take it or leave it, I would suggest the latter!!!