Taken 2 (2012)

 

Taken 2 (2012) Basic Hero's Journey Elements

Taken2.pdf

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Ordinary World

The Ordinary World in TAKEN 2 (2012) is the USA and specifically Lenore's home, Bryan at home with his buddies and Kim at home with her new boyfriend.

 

Call To Adventure

The physical Call to Adventure is the encouragement to come to Istanbul, which is leaving the Ordinary World.

Each archetype has a psychological Call To Adventure, for example:

Bryan's psychological Call to Adventure is to let Kim go, give her space, let her grow up.

Kim's psychological Call to Adventure is to grow up, a metaphor for which is the driving lessons.

Lenore's psychological Call to Adventure is to leave her old attachment behind (forget about the ex-husband) and get back together with Bryan.

 

Supernatural Aid / Meeting The Mentor

The supernatural aid / mentor in TAKEN 2 (2012) is Bryan instructing his daughter on the boat about the old and new worlds (Asia and Europe).

And then later on the Road of Trials, teaching her how to throw explosives and race across the city to find him.

 

Crossing of the First Threshold

The Crossing of the First Threshold in TAKEN 2 (2012) is the old world bazaar, which Bryan and Lenore drive across the bridge to get into.

Psychologically, it's the border of change, which is the conversation they're having in the car at that point in the story.

 

Belly of the Whale

The Belly of the Whale in Taken 2 (2012) is demonstrated by the containment / lock-in of

a) Bryan in the back of the car while he's counting,

b) Kim in the closet

 

Road of Trials

The Road of Trials in Taken 2 (2012) is Kim following Bryan's instructions, leaving the hotel, running across the city, learning to throw explosives, finding her father, getting a gun to him etc...

For Bryan, the Road of Trials stages involve him getting free from the chains before his wife drowns in her own blood.

For Lenore, the provocation of having her throat cut and left to drown in her own blood etc will result in her later readiness.

Psychologically, all archetypes are pulling away from their Ordinary Selves.

 

Meeting with the Goddess

The Meeting with the Goddess stage in Taken 2 (2012) is Bryan's rescue of his daughter on the rooftop, moments before she is to be assassinated.

You can equate this directly with Star Wars (1977), where Luke enters the detention centre to rescue Leia, who is scheduled to be assassinated.

 

Woman as Temptress

The Woman as Temptress stage in Taken 2 (2012) is where Kim drives the car and they get away from their pursuers, crossing the railway line.

These sequences encompass the Near Death Experience and the emergence of the New Self - Kim changes from an innocent girl who couldn't drive to the more grown up girl who..."you can do it!"

 

Apotheosis

The apotheosis in Taken 2 (2012) is the exit from the older state of danger - Kim will be safe at the US Embassy.

It's also encompassed by Bryan being able now, unrestricted, to "do what he does best."

These sequences cross over with the Ultimate Boon.

 

Ultimate Boon

The ultimate boon here is readiness.

When Bryan and Lenore crossed into the First Threshold, he asked her if she was ready. She wasn't.

Now, after all the provocations, she is ready, as is demonstrated by her response, "at least my daughter's safe!"

 

Refusal of the Return

Outer challenge-wise, after Bryan safely delivers Kim to the US Embassy, he has to go back to find his wife and ensure these people never bother them again. He cannot go home yet.

Inner challenge-wise, these are the limitations which prevent him and Kim returning home - having to rescue Lenore.

 

Magic Flight

Outer challenge-wise, the magic flight is Bryan recalling his way back to where he was held captive.

His memory or ability to do this is a form of magical gift.

 

Rescue from Without

Inner challenge-wise, the rescue from without is,

a) the overcoming of limitations to finding Lenore.

b) finding Lenore before she is murdered (dastardly deed function).

 

Crossing of the Return Threshold

Physically, this is Bryan giving the antagonist father archetype (Murad) a chance to let go and live a peaceful life and then turning his back on him.

Unfortunately, the Id needs to be repressed before the complete return is possible, so Murad goes back on his word and has to be killed.

 

Master of Two Worlds

This is the conquest of monsters / letting go of limitations, which represented the old self.

Kim passes her driving test and Bryan accepts her new boyfriend at the table.

 

Freedom to Live

Where archetypes are no longer bound by their older innermost fears.

Bryan is no longer afraid to let Kim go, is no longer afraid of who her new boyfriend may be or what may happen etc.

Kim is no longer afraid of what her father may say etc.

Lenore is no longer afraid Bryan may not be able to change etc.

 

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by Kal Bashir