Film: Taken 2 (12a)

Director: Olivier Megaton

You know how they say that for every action there are repercussions? It’s not something that tends to be considered in your average action flick, on the whole. If you’re fighting a bad guy to rescue your daughter it’s not usually the time for stopping and reflecting on the possibility that the injury you are inflicting upon him could also be upsetting someone else. It’s more of a ‘punch-ow!’ combo.

So here’s the premise for this sequel that’s such a sequel it’s not even got a subtitle: ex-CIA agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper he killed last time when rescuing his daughter. Fallout time.

Inverting the idea of the original, Mills and the Mrs are in captivity while his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace from Taken and Lost) is at liberty, and directed by his special forces knowledge to help them break free. They’ve obviously bonded over his huge efforts to rescue her back in Paris and now it’s her turn in Istanbul. It’s a wonder this family will ever go on holiday again if this is what happens when they set foot on non-American soil.

Already grabbing enthusiastic reviews from action fans across the internet, and with a script from Luc Besson, who also penned the original as well as a teen-friendly certification, Taken 2 promises to further cement Liam Neeson’s new career as an action hero.

Released Thursday 4 October
Showing at Odeon and Cineworld