Taken 2 - C-

Rated PG-13, 91 minutes

Neeson's back in unoriginal, predictable "Taken 2"


Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson emerged as a smart, cool action hero a few years ago with the hit film “Taken,” about a man out to save his kidnapped daughter.  Neeson is still cool and smart, even if the sequel “Taken 2” is as unoriginal and lazy as its title. A year after the events in Paris, on a trip to Istanbul, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) gets a surprise visit from his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), and his ex-wife, Lenore (Famke Janssen). The happy reunion turns sour when Lenore is taken by people working for Murad Hoxha (Rade Šerbedžija), whose son was killed by Bryan in Paris and responsible for the kidnapping of numerous women. With Lenore held hostage and Kim on the run, Mills must utilize all his lethal skills to rescue them and eliminate any who are seeking revenge against him. An unnecessary sequel if there ever was one, “Taken 2” is predictable and far-fetched, peppered with a few entertaining moments provided by the rugged Neeson.  Produced by Luc Besson and directed by Oliver Megaton (“Columbiana”), it’s a lazy dumb setup that you know where it’s going and how it will end even within the first frame of the film. Neeson is by far the best thing about the film, who lends class to a film that is in great need of it. It also leaves it wide open for a “Taken 3,” but let’s hope they choose somewhere more exciting than Istanbul, which looks so drab here. “Taken 2” is a by-the-numbers thriller that should still please Neeson’s fans.

Wes's Grade: C-