Taken 2

Taken 2, the 2012 action-thriller film and the sequel to the hit film Taken, introduces audiences to the consequences of Bryan Mills' actions in the first installment. As the story unfolds, Mills, played by Liam Neeson, is shown to be living a peaceful life in Istanbul with his wife, Lenore (Famke Janssen), and their young family. However, Mills' tranquility is short-lived, as he soon finds himself in the crosshairs of Murad Krasniqi (Rade Serbedzija), the ruthless and vengeful father of a Albanian kidnapper Mills killed in the first film. Krasniqi, a former Albanian underworld figure, holds a grudge against Mills and sets his sights on revenge. In a tense and meticulously planned attack, Krasniqi orchestrates a plot to take Mills and his family hostage. On a warm summer evening, as the sun sets over the bustling city of Istanbul, Mills and his family - consisting of Lenore and their daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace) - are lured into a trap by Krasniqi's accomplices. The initially serene atmosphere is shattered as the family is ambushed in their own car and taken captive. Mills, ever the skilled operative, springs into action, putting his training and instincts to use to protect his loved ones. However, he soon realizes that this time, he's not alone - he has his wife fighting alongside him. Together, Mills and Lenore find themselves on a cat-and-mouse game with Krasniqi's ruthless henchmen, navigating the narrow streets and bustling markets of Istanbul. As the stakes rise, Mills faces the daunting task of outsmarting and outmaneuvering his foes, all while trying to keep his family safe. The film's stakes are elevated by the fact that Mills is faced not only with the consequences of his past actions but also the unforeseen repercussions of not being able to fully protect those closest to him. As he navigates the treacherous landscape of Istanbul's underworld, Mills begins to question whether his past deeds have inadvertently endangered those he cares most about. One of the most notable aspects of Taken 2 is its commitment to the action genre, amplified by the capable presence of Liam Neeson, who solidifies his reputation as a silver-screen brawler, taking on the film's high-octane fight choreography with effortless ease and precision. In addition, the film's supporting cast shines, particularly the versatile and accomplished Maggie Grace and the fiery and captivating Olivier Rabourdin. However, the plot has been questioned on how plausibly it could be produced. This coupled by the somewhat illogical character actions such as whether or not would Lenore simply agree for any man to be beaten like the male character experiencing quite some graphic violence which, ultimately results in his death.