TAKEN 2

Taken 2 has a clear moral center: Bryan Mills will do whatever is necessary to defend his family. The action is exciting and intense, and the family relationships give the film more heart than its thin story might otherwise provide.

But this is an unnecessary sequel with little substance. The story becomes silly at points, while the violence is heavy and Bryan violently kills bad guys to protect the people he loves. The film also includes seven light obscenities and seven profanities, along with other content detailed below.

If you are a discerning adult who can handle the violence and language, Taken 2 offers a fairly entertaining action thriller. For children and young teens, choose something else.

Bryan Mills is trying to make up for the years he was absent from his family. His daughter Kim is preparing to retake her driving test, while his ex-wife Lenore is struggling with her current marriage.

When Lenore’s vacation plans fall apart, Bryan invites her and Kim to join him in Istanbul, where he has finished a security job. But Albanian criminals are watching the family, and Bryan soon realizes that they are in danger.

Three stars means Taken 2 is entertaining and exciting, even though its story is not especially strong. The action grows more intense, and the movie remains fairly entertaining for much of its 90-minute running time.

The sequel is unnecessary, however, and has little story or substance. Some moments are plain silly. Its moral family-defense theme gives the action weight, but the thin plot keeps the film from being more than a solid thriller.

The film’s worldview is very moral in its central concern: a father defending his family. Bryan does not like killing people, but he believes he has to do so to protect his loved ones. That creates a clear pro-family center, even as the heavy violence complicates the film’s moral message.

The story also shows Bryan trying to repair his relationships with his daughter and ex-wife. He wants to spend time with them and protect them, though he still has trouble allowing Kim to make adult choices. The film’s moral focus is therefore family loyalty and protection, not a broader spiritual message.

The desire to provide for and protect one’s family connects with Scripture’s call to care for relatives: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8).

Taken 2 delivers exciting action and a strong family-defense theme, but its story is thin and its violence and language are substantial. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For younger viewers, choose another film.