By: R. D. Riley

R. D. Riley — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:41:14 +0000

I agree that the movie could have had more of the elements the reviewer has covered. There were no memorializing moments or statements from Liam Neeson’s character which parallel Taken 1. I do not believe that anyone was looking for Taken 1 to be topped in this matter, however; perhaps a phrase or monologue which would do the “I will find you…..” statement justice. There were none. We can reasonably assume, however; cannot be sure that Jean-Claude or his family were killed. This should have also been communicated to Neeson somehow in the movie, to provide closure for last time Jean-Claude and Neeson met, as it was evident that until then they shared a trusting and warm friendship. For example, in the end, the family could have returned to Paris for happier times, and Neeson could have paid his respects to Jean Claude’s family if still alive; this would have brought some closure.
However; I emphatically disagree with the reviewers thoughts that Neeson’s wife and daughter should have been cast more in the role of the heroine. I believe the reviewer has imposed her own value system on these characters, which would have only made the movie worse. It is because Neeson’s wife and daughter performed in the manner that they did, that the movie had a more realistic fee, illustrating both women’s vulnerability. Again to try to create a G.I. Jane effect out of them, would have been disastrous, giving the movie goer another overplayed version of Hollywood going PC, and creating a movie no one would care to see. Other than this, I agree with the reviewers other comments, and believe them to be spot-on.

Comments on: ‘Taken 2′ Disappoints in Every Way: A Review

By: R. D. Riley