Taken 2: Same Shit, Different Country

I wanted to see Taken 2 because the first one was incredibly well done, and Liam Neeson is the fucking man. This movie reunites Neeson with Kim "Kimmy" played by Maggie Grace, & Lenore "Lenny" played by Famke Janssen. This one if WAYYY more rushed, and is only about 90 minutes long. Neeson is in Istanbul on some private security detail, his family "surprises" him with a visit since Janssen's marriage (2nd marriage) is in total shambles, so she has some spare time. Neeson and Janssen are attacked in the Bazaar by the father of one of the many Marco from Trepoje who were killed in the first Taken. He has a bunch of Eastern European looking guys who attack Neeson and get beat the fuck up, but eventually kidnap Janssen and Neeson. Kim is by the pool and unscathed, and after a phone call from Neeson's Bond gadget phone, she's OK to aid in their escape. You know what's coming, and this one has less character development and less of everything good about the first one. It's ridiculous at times, which is to be expected, but it's just stupid to watch Kim, who can't pass her driver's test, whipping around Turkey like Jason Bourne. Neeson is also noticeably slower in the fight/running scenes in this one. Bottom Line: 6.2 out of 10. Don't pay money to see this, but if you like watching Neeson smack around and shoot Eastern Europeans, I'd make time for it when it's on TV soon enough.