'Taken 2' may have held onto the top spot at the box office, but that doesn't mean there weren't other winners this weekend. Actually, most of the new releases opened well and the overall top ten is significantly stronger than it was last week. With a few exceptions, it was a good showing for all involved.
How many times can someone get taken before Liam Neeson is like, "I'm tired. Just sort this mess out amongst yourselves"? Maybe the third time's the charm -- at least that's what we're hearing from the writer of 'Taken 2' in a new interview.
'Taken' was the surprise hit of 2009, a January dump that inexplicably made nearly $150 million in the United States and transformed Liam Neeson into an instant action star. Three years later, 'Taken 2' has arrived in theaters on a primo release date and with an advertising campaign that probably cost more than the entire first movie. Well, it looks like the hype was worth it. The first film may have been a sleeper, but the second adventure of Liam Neeson's kidnap-prone family has opened like a true blockbuster.
Inhuman monsters who kidnap young women for the purposes of human trafficking have families too. And, it turns out, they're just as inhuman and monstrous. In 'Taken 2,' the father of one of the many (MANY!) men Liam Neeson killed in the pursuit of his daughter in 'Taken' swears vengeance. "I don't care what he did," he tells Neeson's Brian Mills when they finally meet. "I'll never see his face again, or hear his voice again." Yes, that sweet angelic voice, no doubt cooing something about how he wants that new sex slaves' manacles tightened before she tries to escape again.
'Taken 2' is in theaters next weekend but if that film gets you excited for yet another movie chock full of Liam Neeson kicking butt, don't get too excited. 'Taken 3' isn't happening any time soon says Neeson himself.
October is upon us, which means we've got some delightfully scary movies hitting theaters, but it also means we're approaching awards season. So there's some serious contenders getting releases as well, like Ben Affleck's 'Argo' and the Wachowski's 'Cloud Atlas.' Scary or serious this month? Why not both? Treat yourselves!
Wasn't Liam Neeson a badass in 'Taken'? And doesn't he look like he's going to be even more of one in 'Taken 2'? Well, guess what -- that's not always him doing those badass things up there on the screen.
Gotta love a trailer that opens with Liam Neeson threatening to kick your ass if you don't watch it. But by now you pretty much know what you're going to get in an ad for 'Taken 2': Liam Neeson making a threat, then carrying out said threat with his fists. It's any wonder this new "internet exclusive" trailer doesn't end with your face being punched in.
It's amazing that Liam Neeson - at the age of sixty - has become one of cinema's most reliable asskickers. You'd think he'd be worried about social security or his knees or back, but no. And in 'Taken 2' he has to do the same things he did in the first film (exact revenge for a kidnapping), except this time it's his ex-wife, and there's a grudge involved. Neeson talks about his character in this new featurette.
Liam Neeson is back playing one of the most overly protective (and badass) fathers out in cinema in 'Taken 2.' Don't believe us? Then that means you haven't seen the trailers, and if that's the case then shame on you.
