The film also lacks the efficiency and relentlessness of the original.

This, it seems, is what Neeson does now, and his return to his Taken role offers few surprises. Neeson continued to explore the action world in films that are striking (The Grey), dull (Unknown), or perfunctory (The A-Team). (Kind of like a Henry James novel, but with a lot more forced prostitution.) The rest of its appeal comes from the unapologetic simplicity of its plot, its propulsive pace, and the way Neeson took to both, bringing unsmiling gravity to what could have been a dull role. Part of what makes Taken so entertaining, albeit sometimes unintentionally, is the way it portrays Europe as a pit of sin filled with snares for unsuspecting American innocents abroad. Neeson was the last person most would think to cast as a pitiless killing machine, but there he was, carving his way through the Paris underworld in search of his suspiciously mature-looking teenage daughter (Maggie Grace), who’d been abducted by the sex slavers who apparently run rampant in the City Of Light. The shock came from the star doing the Eurothrilling: Liam Neeson, an actor of the first order, known for exuding introspective gentleness. Executive producer and co-writer Luc Besson had already spent a couple of decades turning out serviceable-or-better Eurothrillers made in the model he helped create with films like La Femme Nikita. Not that its content looked particularly novel. Executive producer and co-writer Luc Besson had already spent a couple of decades turning out serviceable-or-better Eurothrillers made in the model he helped create with When Taken hit screens in 2008, it benefitted from the shock of the new. When Taken hit screens in 2008, it benefitted from the shock of the new. I wouldn't say it improves on the original, but is just as good. It's one of those films where you lean forward if you know what I mean.

Taken 2 has action, it has suspense and it genuinely delivers a very intense 89 minutes. But to be honest, it's not always a bad thing. Sure, there's nothing out of the ordinary or new or surprising. The thing about Taken and Taken 2 is how they take a very basic background and make it come to life. No, it's not a Bourne film nor is it trying to be. But make no mistake despite being a carbon copy of just about everything, it still delivers. If someone asked 'What is the definition of a standard American movie?' it would be this. No, it's not a Bourne film nor is Cliché, predictable, short and simple.

Taken 2 movie credits