When You Hear The Explosion...Start Counting

You got to admit, this works. I think they managed to instill 'Taken 2' with enough spikey moments to hook an audience and boost word-of-mouth. Should do well into its 3rd and 4th weekends.

Remarkably, Neeson sells this. The guy flat delivers. Had not thought much of this until this clip

Nicely written, nicely executed. Fun, engaging -- you can't ask for much more from a movie like this.

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3rd International Trailer for 'Taken 2'

The best yet. This is working. This stands a chance of drawing a huge audience. Neeson has come off well in these trailers but here he looks monumental.




















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Latest International 'Taken 2' Trailer Switches to "Your Mother and I are Going to be Taken"

In early US trailers Neeson said, "Your mother and I are going to be taken."

Then, in international trailers he said, "Your mother is going to be taken."

Then, in the US trailer that came out 2 days ago he switched to the line from international trailers saying, "Your mother is going to be taken."

In this new international trailer he switches back to 'Your mother and I are...'.

Interesting.



















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New Trailer for 'Taken 2'

Sticks with "Your mother is going to be taken" rather than the old line which was, "Your mother and I are going to be taken."

Nice visuals and soundtrack. The line "Take one of the guns and two grenades" said by Neeson's character to his daughter has a certain sparkle. People should like that kind of thing. Also, the empowerment of a teenage (or is it early 20s) female character should round out the demographic appeal nicely

Have to admit, this is more impressive than I had thought, and looking fresh for a sequel. Really, this has the energy and feel of the first movie (in a franchise). I'm thinking box office will be good.

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2 Different Versions of the 'Taken 2' Trailer: One for Sensitive Understanding (Wimpy) Americans, and one Swarthy (I Kill You Now?) Europeans

Wha?

In the domestic version of the trailer for 'Taken 2' Liam Neeson clearly says, "Listen to me carefully, Kim. Your mother and I are going to be taken."

And, that was always my understanding about the plot -- both Neeson's character and (AND) his wife are abducted. Both. Not one, both -- two of them.

Happens at :37 seconds.



However. In the international trailer Neeson says, "Listen to me carefully, Kim. Your mother is going to be taken." Neeson does not say he will be taken as well. Just 'your mother'. "Your mother (is)" not "Your mother and I (are)." In this trailer only mom gets nabbed.

I know what you're saying: Dude. No way. You're hearing things. Check it out -- at 1:11.



So. Is this an(other) example of foreign machismo? Is the notion a male protagonist could be taken hostage, or allow himself to be taken, so unpalatable in other countries they need to gloss over (read: flat out lie about) such plot details in trailers meant for international markets?

Will there be two versions of the movie? I can just see it. There will be one edit in which only the wife is abducted made for swaggering sweating always drinking and smoking European men (and such) who would never allow themselves to be taken hostage -- (no fucking way I kill you now asshole), and another in which both the husband and wife are taken made for touchy-feely oh so politically correct forward-thinking Americans who know that a man can be kidnapped at gunpoint just as easily as a woman and that absolutely is not a reflection on one's manliness -- (pardon me whilst I avert my eyes in a demure manner and take a sip of my double low-fat vanilla latte made with organic milk and fair-trade coffee [not too hot or I'll complain to the manager!!!] topped with whipped cream from a can, thank you very much).

This is just like the Spanish poster for 'The Expendables 2'. Their title: 'Los Indestructibles 2'. No. No sir. Our guys aren't 'expendable' -- that would be too, what's the word?, limp. Our guys are INDESTRUCTIBLE! They can't freaking be destroyed. Your wimpy American men, they are expendable. Disposable. Nobody cares if they live or die. Our guys: tough, can't be killed or injured -- reeeeeaaaaaaal men. In-goddam-destructible.

Machismo. Alien to us, heartfelt to them.

Gotta say, very interesting indeed. Really... That says a lot. But, what do I think of it? Do I appreciate how Euro-man can't deal with the concept that he might be victimized and how he lives a direct and effective life not taking shit from anybody? Or, do I hold Euro-guy in contempt for being a narrow-minded ass?

Do I applaud American liberalism or do I think we're a country of toe-the-line girly boys who strive not to offend?

I don't know. A little of both? How typically American of me.

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International Trailer for 'Taken 2' -- or -- Liam Neeson: God of Movies

They may have done it. They may have a sequel that's not only as good as the original but will be more popular.

And, when did Liam Neeson become God of Movies? Really, you see him and it's like, "Oh, good. Liam's in this. Everything will be okay."

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Poster for 'Liam Neeson Shoots All The Bad Guys' aka 'Taken 2'

"First they took his daughter now they're coming for him." Will they never learn?

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SPOILER-Filled Preview/Trailer for 'Taken 2'

I'm going out on a limb -- this won't be the hit 'Taken' was.

Remember -- loaded with SPOILERS

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