Taken 2 (2012)
In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.
Details
Budget
$45,000,000
Rating
6/10 (6730 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
EuropaCorp, Grive Productions, M6 Films, 20th Century Fox, Karma Film Prod, Taken 2, Dune Entertainment
About Taken 2
Set in Istanbul, "Taken 2" revisits retired CIA operative Bryan Mills as he and his wife become targets of a kidnapper's father seeking revenge. This action-thriller continues the themes of family protection and intense pursuit seen in its predecessor. The film follows Mills' efforts to protect his family and escape their captors, placing his daughter in a more active role in the rescue.
While maintaining a focus on action and crime, the sequel introduces a change of scenery and expands on the consequences of Mills' past actions. The narrative ties into the events of the first film, with the antagonist directly motivated by Mills' previous confrontation. The film's 91-minute runtime keeps the pace brisk, characteristic of the genre.
Why you might be searching for Taken 2
People search for "Taken 2" often in relation to its predecessor, focusing on the revenge plotline from the father of the original kidnapper. Searches also include the Istanbul setting, Liam Neeson's continued role as Bryan Mills, and the sequence of events that lead to his family being targeted again.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer found the action sequences to be improved and faster than the first film, despite acknowledging that the sequel might not reach the same overall quality.
Read the full reviewA viewer enjoyed the movie as an undemanding action-thriller, noting that while it had some illogical moments, it was still a passable entry in the genre, especially appreciating Liam Neeson's performance.
Read the full reviewA review described the film as serviceable but a definite step down from the initial installment, suggesting that even the first film was somewhat overvalued.
Read the full reviewOne critic observed that the movie, while not matching the intensity of the original, offered a solid follow-up with a revenge-driven plot and a more engaging antagonist, despite some convenient plot points and choppy editing.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "Taken 2" on Netflix. It is also available to rent or buy on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and Fandango At Home. Additionally, you can purchase the movie on DVD or Blu-ray.
No, "Taken 2" is not based on a true story. It is a fictional action-thriller film.
At the end of "Taken 2," Bryan Mills tracks down Murad, the Albanian mafia head seeking revenge. Bryan offers Murad a chance to walk away if he gives up his vendetta, but Murad reneges on the deal and tries to shoot Bryan. However, Bryan had discreetly unloaded Murad's weapon, and then kills Murad by impaling him. The film concludes three weeks later with the Mills family celebrating Kim passing her driving test, where Kim's boyfriend Jamie joins them, and Kim jokingly tells her father not to "shoot this one."
"Taken 2" received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting an approval rating of 22% and Metacritic giving it a score of 45 out of 100. Some viewers found it to be a serviceable action flick with good suspense, while others felt it lacked the thrills of the original and descended into clichés.