Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- propulsive
- tense
- heightened
- action movie night
- franchise marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a competently made but repetitive and formula-bound sequel that lacked the original's kinetic thrills and surprises.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bryan Mills personally confronts the Albanian trafficking gang after he and Lenore are abducted, framing violence as family protection.
The film returns to kidnapping, international pursuit, improvised intelligence, and rapid revenge action after the first film's premise.
Istanbul's streets, rooftops, tunnels, and embassy-adjacent spaces become the terrain for abduction, escape, and pursuit.
Bryan, his separated ex-wife Lenore, and teenage daughter Kim are brought together by the kidnapping crisis and rescue effort.
Films like Taken 2, and why
Taken
shared vigilante action, family-in-peril premise, international crime conspiracy, and determined older male protagonist
Man on Fire
shared family rescue stakes, relentless pursuit, close-quarters combat, and international action-thriller structure
The Equalizer
shared hostage rescue, urban pursuit sequences, vigilantism, and high-arousal action pacing
Die Hard with a Vengeance
shared kidnapping plot, police chases, family protection themes, and formula-driven action entertainment
Movie Details
- Director
- Olivier Megaton
- Release Date
- 2012-09-27
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (7285)
Cast
- Liam Neeson
- Maggie Grace
- Famke Janssen
- Leland Orser
- D. B. Sweeney
- Jon Gries
- Rade Šerbedžija
- Luke Grimes
- Kevork Malikyan
- Alain Figlarz
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Taken 2 about?
- A retired CIA operative and his daughter turn an Istanbul kidnapping into a furious family rescue mission against an Albanian crime syndicate.
- What is Taken 2 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Taken 2 as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Taken 2 violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Taken 2 as moderate.
- What did critics think of Taken 2?
- Critics broadly found the film a competently made but repetitive and formula-bound sequel that lacked the original's kinetic thrills and surprises.
- Which films are like Taken 2?
- Films with a similar feel include Taken, Man on Fire, The Equalizer, and Die Hard with a Vengeance.
- How long is Taken 2?
- Taken 2 runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Taken 2?
- In United States, Taken 2 streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
