TAKEN 2
RYAN: Here’s the thing – I remember we both semi-enjoyed Taken. We gave it a Rent It rating but I never really thought it warranted a sequel.
CAROLINE: I was surprised when it was announced as well. How was it?
RYAN: Not as good as the first.
CAROLINE: Shocking.
RYAN: Exactly. It’s like The Hangover Part 2. It’s the same movie as the first one but in a different city.
CAROLINE: So unoriginal.
RYAN: I understand they wanted to replicate a formula that “works” but this didn’t work again so much.
CAROLINE: Yeah that can be the challenge.
RYAN: This time it’s about one man’s revenge for what Liam did in the first movie but his wife is in danger instead of his daughter.
CAROLINE: How are Famke Janssen and Maggie Grace?
RYAN: Fine but not really getting work aside from this movie, LBH.
CAROLINE: Totally. What about Liam?
RYAN: He’s still good but I actually cringed a few times. I felt embarrassed for him with some of the dialogue. It was so cheesy that people in the screening audience was inappropriately laughing appropriately.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ I know what you mean.
RYAN: Some of the action was suspenseful but not all the well articulated. Much of it was just quick editing in closeups where you couldn’t really sink your teeth into what was going on.
CAROLINE: That’s disappointing.
RYAN: The first film was a January release in 2009. And this one really could have been an early-year film as well. It’s not among the good crop that’s out now or coming up in the next couple months. If you must see this rent it, but certainly don’t waste your time in the theater.
— RATING —
TM October 26, 2012
How can a girl who doesn't have her license drive a MANUAL transmission car at high speeds and pull evasive maneuvers through the narrow streets and alleys of Istanbul while automatic weapon fire rains through her windows?