"Taken 2" is really, really goofy -- it's even goofier because it thinks it's about the futility of vengeance -- but Liam Neeson almost makes you buy it.

| Feb 12, 2013

A meta-American movie, a Godardian spoof of the whole genre, an attempt to see how stupid and insulting a motion picture can be and still be a big hit.

| Oct 7, 2012

So lazily put together that it relies on flashbacks from its predecessor for the majority of its character development.

| Oct 5, 2012

Neeson, despite having turned 60 in June, looks spritely enough in the role, and more than capable of another go-round should Taken 2 match its predecessor's success.

| Oct 5, 2012

As much as this picture is action driven, its greatest delights are grounded in personality, in the fun of having a protagonist who combines homespun values with velociraptor functionality.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 5, 2012

Utter nonsense, a film that plays like a cross between Seth MacFarlane spoofing the first film on Family Guy and MacGyver fan fiction (although nowhere NEAR as much fun as that might make it sound).

| Original Score: 1.0/5.0 | Oct 5, 2012

Neeson is once again the stalwart center of this giddy, entirely improbable and improbably enjoyable escapade.

| Original Score: B | Oct 5, 2012

At least the bruised and battered Neeson takes our minds off the perfunctory screenplay.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 5, 2012

A sequel every bit as clumsy, ham-handed, outlandish and laughable as the original was sleek, tough and efficient.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Oct 5, 2012

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot at stake in a movie where you can crash your way through the armed barricades at the American embassy with a stolen taxicab and survive without a scratch.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Oct 5, 2012

The one thing that comes across is Neeson's character really likes fighting Albanians.

| Original Score: D | Oct 5, 2012

"Taken 2" is nearly all nonsense, with villains so inept and slow-moving that there's little satisfaction in watching Mills take them out.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 5, 2012

Just a mediocre action franchise with a solid actor at the head and a travelogue in its heart.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 5, 2012

The fight moves are so brief and contained that Angela Lansbury could manage them without risk of hernia.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 5, 2012

The first thing to be kidnapped is logic, as the action moves to Istanbul from Paris and Liam Neeson ridiculously reprises his role of avenging ex-CIA dad Bryan Mills.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 4, 2012

The ludicrous plot and laughable dialogue are all in service of some very subpar action.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Oct 4, 2012

As they might say in the advertising department, it's an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride. But it could have been much more.

Full Review | Oct 4, 2012

[Neeson's] acting makes him seem human and even vulnerable, someone we can't help but worry over even though it's those feckless Albanians we should be nervous about.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 4, 2012

Seems like a nonstop car and foot chase, with Albanian after Albanian falling victim to Bryan's remarkable aim and hand-fighting skills.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 4, 2012

Rigorously formulaic and far-fetched ...

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 4, 2012