Curator Watchlist
A serviceable but noticeably weaker sequel that mostly replays the first film’s hostage-revenge formula with less tension, sloppier action, and more accidental comedy than suspense. It can work as undemanding late-night noise if you enjoy Liam Neeson’s stern-dad mode, but it’s hard to recommend as a standout action… Read more
Where to watch: Buy
Thu · 1h 31m
Director: Olivier Megaton
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
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.
Olivier Megaton
Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
A serviceable but noticeably weaker sequel that mostly replays the first film’s hostage-revenge formula with less tension, sloppier action, and more accidental comedy than suspense. It can work as undemanding late-night noise if you enjoy Liam Neeson’s stern-dad mode, but it’s hard to recommend as a standout action thriller.
Taken 2 is the rare sequel that makes the original look sharper by comparison. It keeps the same basic machinery—family in danger, phone calls, improvised violence, relentless pursuit—but stretches it thinner, with action scenes that often feel more clumsy than thrilling. The Istanbul setting gives it some visual variety, but not enough to disguise how recycled the story feels.
What it does have is a kind of shameless momentum. Liam Neeson still sells the role with absolute conviction, and the movie’s absurd logistics can become part of the appeal if you’re willing to laugh at it rather than with it. Several set pieces play less like suspense and more like a running joke about how badly things can escalate.
As a straight action thriller, it’s a downgrade. As a piece of glossy, overconfident sequel cinema, it’s at least watchable in a “how did this get made?” sense. If you want polished thrills, there are much better options; if you want a familiar franchise rerun with a few accidental laughs, this will do.
adambolt (2.5★) · 1754 likes
Kim, listen to me very carefully. I need you to build LEGO Minecraft 21155 The Creeper Mine and follow my instructions very closely. First, open the box. You need to take all of the bags and open them, and then sort all the pieces together. Bring the phone closer so I can hear you do it. Now, open the instruction manual and complete the first step, following what it says very carefully. Kim we don't have much time so I
Jay (2★) · 620 likes
Trailer Six Things I Learned from Taken 2: 1. Randomly chucking grenades around in a crowded city is the best way of gauging someone’s location.2. American citizens are free to kill random, innocent police officers provided one of their mates has contacts at the American Embassy.3. Typing “US Embassy” into the GPS works every time.4. Slamming the gearstick of a taxi down will make it go faster.5. Albanians speak English in their own country but speak… more
grace (3.5★) · 610 likes
this family really needs to stop taking vacations
matt lynch (1.5★) · 332 likes
this would be fine except god dammit come on i mean how the fuck hard is it to SHOOT A FUCKING ACTION SCENE. asshole
theo (3★) · 278 likes
at this point they all just gotta stay home
A much tighter man-on-the-run thriller with real momentum, clean storytelling, and escalating stakes.
Shares the revenge-driven protector energy, but with far more style, emotion, and intensity.
Another Liam Neeson crime thriller that leans into grim momentum and family protection with better pacing.
For viewers who want chase-driven espionage with sharper action design and more credible tension.
The original version of this premise is leaner, meaner, and far more effective.
A sleek urban thriller with strong atmosphere and a more controlled sense of danger.
Delivers the same wish-fulfillment protector fantasy with cleaner action and a stronger sense of craft.
If the appeal is efficient retaliation, this is the modern gold standard for stylish action choreography.
A pulpy, propulsive action thriller that embraces its own mechanics more confidently.
A high-concept pressure-cooker thriller that keeps its momentum and geography crystal clear.
Offers surveillance paranoia and nonstop pursuit with much better suspense construction.
For a spouse-in-peril rescue story with more procedural tension and emotional stakes.
family under threat, revenge, kidnapping, pursuit, urban action, sequel fatigue, survival, international setting
action thriller, crime, revenge, kidnapping, sequel, Istanbul, family danger, pulp, late-night watch, 2000s-style action