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
In "Taken 2," Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative, finds himself embroiled in another perilous situation in Istanbul. This time, he and his wife are targeted by the father of a previous kidnapper he killed, leading to a hunt for revenge. The film, released in 2012, leans heavily into its action and thriller genres, with a plot centered on themes of kidnapping and retribution.
The narrative maintains a fast pace as Mills, played by Liam Neeson, navigates the unfamiliar city to protect his family and confront his adversaries. While critics offered mixed reactions, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 22% and a Metacritic score of 45/100, the film resonated with some viewers as a straightforward action experience. It builds on the established character dynamics, particularly the ex-husband and ex-wife relationship, while introducing new elements such as the U.S. Embassy and a police chase through Istanbul.
Why you might be searching for Taken 2
People search for "Taken 2" often to find details about the sequel to the popular action film, particularly regarding the plot where Bryan Mills and his family are targeted in Istanbul, continuing the aggressive and furious tone of the original movie. Common searches might include the setting of Turkey, the role of his teenage daughter, or specific action sequences like stealing a car or the police chase.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that while not as strong as its predecessor, the sequel still offers a solid story with improved and faster action sequences, despite some weaker performances from supporting cast members.
Read the full reviewA viewer found the movie enjoyable as a pure action/thriller, acknowledging its illogical elements but arguing it doesn't deserve excessively low ratings. They appreciated Liam Neeson's dependable performance, even if the plotting had some silly parts.
Read the full reviewAnother review described the film as a step down from the first, calling it serviceable but ultimately not as good, and rated it as having aspects that appealed but didn't come together strongly.
Read the full reviewOne reviewer mentioned that the film, while not reaching the same intensity as the first, provides a strong follow-up with a revenge-driven plot. They highlighted the increased depth of the villains and the effective cinematography in capturing Istanbul's atmosphere.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can watch "Taken 2" on Netflix, rent or buy it on Prime Video, or stream it with a YouTube TV subscription. It was released in 2012 and stars Liam Neeson.
No, "Taken 2" is not based on a true story. It is a fictional action-thriller film.
In the end of "Taken 2", Bryan Mills confronts Murad, who had kidnapped him and his ex-wife for revenge. Bryan gives Murad a chance to walk away unharmed if he promises to stop seeking vengeance. Although Murad initially agrees, he immediately tries to shoot Bryan. However, Bryan had already removed the bullet from Murad's gun and then kills Murad by impaling him on a towel hook. The film concludes three weeks later with Bryan, Lenore, and Kim celebrating Kim passing her driving test, with Kim jokingly telling Bryan not to "shoot" her new boyfriend.
Critics generally gave "Taken 2" mixed to negative reviews. While it was a financial success, earning over $376 million globally, many critics felt it lacked the excitement and originality of the first film.