Iffy for 13+
Less violent, more sympathetic sequel delivers the thrills.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Taken 2 is the sequel to the 2009's hit thriller Taken, but it's less mean and vicious than the original, with more sympathetic characters and a more anti-revenge stance. Still, there are plenty of fights, chases, and shootouts, as well as torture scenes, though most of the really brutal stuff occurs off screen. A teen girl is shown making out with her boyfriend, with the boyfriend working at the buttons on her dress, but they're interrupted. Another kiss is shown, as well as the girl wearing a bikini. Language is very infrequent but includes about four uses of "s--t" (three of them during an intense chase scene).
- Families can talk about Taken 2's violence. How much is shown, and how much is kept off screen? How does that affect its impact? Is the movie still thrilling?
- Is revenge considered a wise and appropriate thing to do in this story, or is it frowned upon? How does that compare to the original movie?
- Talk about the ethical and moral lines that characters cross in the movie. Are Bryan's actions justified?
The good stuff
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Messages: Compared to the first movie, Taken 2 has a more anti-revenge stance. The main character takes the law into his own hands, but he's also a supreme problem-solver, using his head and the resources at his disposal. During this process, he learns how to better communicate with and trust his daughter, and they work together well. Additionally, through patience and understanding, he re-connects with his ex-wife. Love of family is a powerful theme.
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Role models: The main character is resourceful, tough, brave, kind, and a problem-solver. He resorts to violence, but mainly as a last resort. Though divorced, he tries his best to be involved in being a good role model for his daughter. She, likewise, demonstrates bravery and strength over the course of the movie, though she's not as cool and collected as her father.
What to watch for
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Violence: Lots of shooting, fighting, chasing, and explosions, though much of the blood and death occurs off screen. The main character's ex-wife is kidnapped and tortured, though not extensively or gruesomely. (Potential spoiler alert: The bad guys cut a slit in her throat and hang her upside down so that she'll die slowly, but this gives the hero plenty of time to rescue her.) Other medium-level torture scenes (some in flashback); stabbing with scissors takes place off screen. One villain makes a vague threat of rape in regards to the daughter ("Your daughter will be abused by so many men, she will be like a piece of meat").
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Sex: Kim is shown making out with her boyfriend on a couch. He fumbles with the buttons of her dress, but they're interrupted. She's later shown wearing a bikini. (The actress playing Kim is 29, but it's suggested that the character could be as young as 17 or 18.) Otherwise, an ex-husband and wife appear to be considering getting back together. The ex-wife kisses the husband in one scene.
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Language: Infrequent language includes a few uses of of "s--t," plus "bastard," "goddamn," and a couple of uses of "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Many Mercedes-Benz vehicles are seen, particularly in a key chase scene.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character and his ex-wife share a glass of wine in one scene. The bad guys drink and smoke.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Taken 2 DVD by Darkola
If you liked the first movie alot, then chances are you will like this one because to me it is pretty much the same movie again. I actually re-watched the first movie last night to remember it as this one continues where that one left off. There was alot of action in this movie, so you wont be left bored, and I am a fan of Liam Neeson, but I'm finding when he has to show emotion, he fails because I just dont see it in his acting, causing me not to feel it either. The story is the same as the first, the bad guy is out to get revenge from the first movie, family member is kidnapped, he uses his special skills to hunt them down .. yadda yadda yadda, same old thing, and to make matters worst, there is a hint at the end that this whole story can be done all over again for a part 3 ... lets hope not. I would wait for the DVD myself at this point, as there are a few better movies to spend your money on at the show, anyways, I would only give this 2 out of 4 stars myself, Enjoy :)
4
A Sequel Taken 2 Almost the Same Heights by Reel Reviewer
As an avid fan of the original Taken I still have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A half-hearted attempt at furthering the depths of the characters was made, I think, only because they didn't want you to feel like this was a continuation of the first but that it is its own film. If so, they succeeded, but if it was supposed to make you care more for anyone then I guess Luc Besson and Co. forgot that we, the audience, are actually rooting for the kidnapping so that we can watch Liam Neeson "do what [he does] best." The adrenaline was there, the butt-kicking was there and they even added a little side-kick action. If you loved or liked the original, then you'll like this one, but I doubt too many people will love this one. It's all the nuts and bolts of Taken minus the torture and interrogation needed to track where his next move was to be. All that said, it is definitely worth a trip to the big screen and a rewatch of the original Taken.
5
Dave White is a blowhard by clerk8952
First of all Dave White is an idiot for saying its too unrealistic to be believable. REALLY? Which part of the original made it believable? It must have been when Neeson has 36 hours to find his daughter in Paris, France before she disapears forever. Hard to believe this guy can write reviews on movies when he uses terms like "unrealistic". He really must have hated Finding Nemo.
Taken 2 was pretty sweet. It has good action and doesnt take itself too seriously. It has the same pace as the original with some new twists for Neeson. Its honestly pretty funny in some pas because Neeson is such a machine. If you liked the original you will like this one. One of the few sequels I would see again.
5
Taken 2 by lelesmom
Loved this movie. It was just as good as the first one. Liam Neeson is an incredible actor. Have been a long time fan. Highly recommend this movie.
4
Taken 2 by Ms. Nicolette
I am a huge fan of Liam Neeson, so when we went to see this we were expecting something more. It was great, but, it seemed to be missing something. I guess because he is getting older he doesn't move like he used to. You want action, go see it--those parts of the movie are great!! Also, I have to agree with one of the viewers that it was the same of nothing special. They should have done something special with how and why they were coming after them. And what happened to the ex-wife's marriage? They seemed to be so in-love?!?!
4
Actions have consequences by mattsdomicile
This is a well thought out movie. I really enjoyed that the actions Liam Neeson's character took in the first film actually reverberated into the sequel. The stakes are made higher when his entire family in brought into play. In particular, the use of the daughter was refreshing and really fun to watch. My only complaints are that the danger factor never seems quite high enough and some of the action scenes suffer from some choppy editing. If you enjoyed the first film you should check this one out.
5
This is not a Horror Film by ZiggyZeegs
It's a good movie. The plot moves along at a good pace and never lags. This was an expertly done film. Considering that I did not see Taken first, the second installment didn't leave me lost. If you go to see this film, you will enjoy it!
5
Intense! by zfundora
Great movie to see. It's suspenseful, no exposure of women in any wrong way, amazing crash scenes, camera shoots were great and so was the acting.
MUST SEE!
5
Another great Liam Neeson movie by jwbnah
The first Taken was great and I always worry about sequels. This movies was great. It was exciting, fast moving and classic Liam Neeson. Critics do not like movies that are just good entertainment, which this one is.
5
Relatively Excellent by BigJon5050
If the original Taken was one of your all time favorite movies and you counted the days until the premier of Taken 2 then like me you will be impressed but not swept off your feet - as was the case with Taken 1. The action was good but it just lacked something that the original had in spades; not sure what that something was. All in all, this was a great movie and I would go see it again. My complaints stem from my perfectionism and you should definitely go see it. Top 2 movies I've seen this year (Batman was #1).