'Taken 2' and 'Frankenweenie': Weekend Movie Trailer & Reviews

You have quite a few choices at the movie theater this weekend, not all of them equal. While you have a good shot at enjoying "Pitch Perfect" (76% on Rotten Tomatoes) now that it has opened up in a wider release, you might not have as good a time with the politically charged "Butter" (35%) or the disturbing "The Paperboy" (41%). This weekend's two big releases are a tale of two movies as well.

"Taken 2"

Rated PG-13, 1 hr 30 mins

RT Rating: 18%

When we last left Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), he had rescued his daughter (Maggie Grace) from sex slavery (yes, really) by murdering pretty much every bad guy in sight. This movie picks up after those events, as now Bryan has won back the love of his ex-wife (Famke Janssen), only to see her taken from him in Istanbul by the associates of the men he killed.

So basically, what we have here is a recipe that is the same but slightly different from the first movie, and really all of it is just an excuse for Liam Neeson to go on a killing spree as he tracks down his family members. Unfortunately, it seems that the same magic is lacking from this sequel, as critics are rating it far below the original (which had a 58% on Rotten Tomatoes).

"Frankenweenie"

Rated PG, 1 hr 30 mins

RT Rating: 86%

Tim Burton helms this adaptation of the story of Victor, a boy who loses his beloved dog, Sparky, and decides to use science to bring him back to life. Unfortunately, re-animating animals and tinkering with nature has its consequences, as Victor soon learns when things in his neighborhood start getting weird.

To add to the Frankenstein-ness of it all, Burton animated this stop-motion film in black and white, giving it the look of a classic monster movie while keeping it stylized and modern (especially with the 3D). Critics have almost nothing but praise for the movie thus far, and it should provide entertainment for both kids and adults.