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Kim Hollis: I'll echo the group sentiment here to say that this result is simply outstanding. This was a very low risk/high reward project for Fox, and we can see that it's already paid off in a big way. It's not going to match the numbers of the original, but I think we all have to remember how ridiculous the total was for that film when you consider what it was and how it had unexpected longevity at the box office.

I don't really feel that this was a needless sequel, because they had a crafty idea for how to frame Taken 2. I mean, yes, it is more of the same, but I like that they put the lead character in a situation where family members of the dudes he killed in the first film want their vengeance. Even bad guys have feelings, people.

David Mumpower: The third largest opening ever for October is obviously spectacular. $50 million is tremendous for any point in the schedule for most projects, especially when the previous movie debuted to half that total. What I take from this is that we once again have evidence that the quality of the previous film directly impacts the opening weekend of the sequel. In this case, Taken is much beloved. I believe that its successor probably does qualify as unnecessary. Still, the concept is good enough that I have been anticipating its release. This is in stark contrast to Ghost Rider 2, The Hangover II, Wrath of the Titans and Journey 2, all of whom were shameless money grabs. The producers of Taken 2 at least disguise their motives a bit.

Reagen Sulewski: The precise level of the opening might be a bit surprising, but there's nothing too surprising about the fact that this sequel broke out. I compared it to The Hangover in my weekend writeup, and that's about the level of improvement this saw versus the original. This reflects how with surprise hits like the first, the box office isn't the total story about what its sequel might do

More to the point, who's going to be the next old guy action star?

Kim Hollis: Do you think this is the end of the line for Liam Neeson as an action star, or do you think the performance of Taken 2 reinforces the fact that he has a lot of life left as a 60-year-old badass?

Felix Quinonez: I actually find this question a bit puzzling. The movie opened to $50 million domestic and over $60 million overseas, why on earth would it be the end of his career as an action star? If it had flopped, maybe, but right now that's definitely not a concern. I think what we should be asking is who will get TAKEN in the next one or what animals Neeson will tame next. I can't speak of his performance in Taken 2 because I haven't seen it yet. But the movie's opening weekend numbers DEFINITELY show that he has life left as an action star.

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