Review : Taken 2 (2012)

Bad sequel?

Some time after the incidents in the first movie, Bryan has been posted in Istanbul for some work. His ex-wife Lenore is now separating from her second husband and going through a tough phase. So Bryan invites her and Kim to Istanbul for a holiday unaware of the fact that the Albanians have arrived to avenge the death of their brothers and sons at the hands of Bryan .......


Critically panned. Utterly destroyed by the critics. People just didn't buy into the story anymore. Many glaring loopholes were pointed out everywhere. And that compounded the matter. The first movie with its simplicity and great action scenes won many hearts but sadly this story was simple and a little dumb and so couldn't replicate the first movie's success. Although I didn't hate it as some of my good friends do, but I didn't expect such a downturn. The first now resembles a classic, i must say. But to be fair if you just let all the logicality balckholes go, you can enjoy this too. Not as much but trust me you won't hate it. It takes some harsh political stands maybe unintentionally and that's never good for any commercial movie. Multiple helicopter shot of a mosque from which the call for prayers emanated and then somebody is getting shot at. You can join the dots and cry foul or just let it be and say that it wasn't meant to hurt the sentiments. But Islamic countries arent good but it isn't what Hollywood says them to be. Such baseless depictions plus some over sight in the script means that there are message boards and more message boards dedicated to the "Loopholes". But forget it ever exists and enjoy it just as a time pass popcorn action entertainer. Guaranteed your opinion of it will improve. I never take such movies seriously and thank god i had a nice time watching it. Drop the baggage and go have a watch.......


Luc Besson had written the first one perfectly. Just the right amount of action and exposition and length. So even if there were errors we chose to ignore it cos it was such a fast ride. But this has a lot more setup and very less action. And as I already said, errors abound. Besson and co=writer Robert Kamen do a nice job but it isn't good enough. Yes a simple popcorn entertainer need not be too deep. But it doesn't mean it can get away with too much. And it does have too much. Plus not so good director Olivier Megatron(Transporter 3) doesnt get the same level of enthusiasm in it as Pierre Morel. Some nice helicopter shots of the magnificient city of Istanbul but sadly the fight and action are less and not as good. Plus the setup is so good and the payback just so sad that it feels like a wasted premise. Hell it could been a all guns blazing action thriller but sadly it peters down to some stray moments of goodness from Liam. Just not good enough a sequel. Expectations of many people truly hurt and shattered. I didnt expect much and I enjoyed it a little bit more than most. Thats the way you watch such movies. Don't read between the lines and just let the hell go of everything...... and ENJOY!!

What bad luck??

Acting was pretty decent in the first. And it was an all Liam thing. But not here. Maggie Grace joins the fun as she throws grenade, drives like a pro and helps her Dad escape from the rogue Albanians. But her acting left many things to be desired. As a damsel in distress she did fine but in an extended role she doesnt do the same magic. Also she struggles a play a girl when she's a beautiful women of around 26. And it makes matter worse when Liam too doesnt do it right. He says the lines not as menanacingly but more mechanically. But he's a fine actor and sails through it decently. Famke Jenson is a stuck up as the wife who leaves a good but busy husband for someone wealthy and then is seen coming back to square one. Not much to do except cry out for help. The villains are more scary in this one and atleast the first 20-30 minutes go very well. Alas all that set up gets destroyed as the climax is not something they can be proud of. A sermon , a cliche and The End. Not  a great ending considering the first ended with a great shootout. Rade Serbedzija as the father of one of the slain kidnappers in the first movie excels and maybe outdoes Liam. And with a hero who is not gonna be scratched we sadly have no tension to look forward too. Just decent work from everybody which means this remains mediocre even on the acting front......

Great!! I am gonna shoot the Director...

Camerawork is decent. Some nice swooping shots of Istanbul and the Bazaar. Plus the great background in some scenes. Its a beautiful city captured with some great lights. Editing isn't as good. The background music is decent. All in all the crew tries their best but the writing and direction let this movie down.


HighTension Verdict: If xenophobic nations make a movie on a Muslim nation this is what they will come up with. And for those not looking for too much meaning but more Masala then this is for you. 

 HighTension Meter: 6.5/10

BEST Quote:

Murad: I have come to take you to Tropoje to face you to the people whose lives you have ruined. To give them justice.
Bryan Mills: You mean to give them revenge.
Murad: If it gives us peace call it anything you wish.