Neeson's Taken sequel No 1 in US

Liam Neeson's Taken sequel has topped the US box office.

The film took 50 million dollars in America over its opening weekend to become number one, according to studio estimates.

That was double the haul for the original movie, which raked in 24.7 million in its US debut in early 2009.

The follow up sees the actor return as a retired CIA agent using his expert espionage and killing skills to take on a gang of thugs out for revenge against him and his family.

The previous weekend's number one movie at the US box office, Adam Sandler's animated hit Hotel Transylvania, dropped to second place with 26.3 million dollars. The Sony release raised its total in America to 76 million, and it has taken in 29.3 million overseas for a worldwide haul of 105.3 million.

Expanding into nationwide release after a limited debut a week earlier, music tale Pitch Perfect moved up to third place with 14.7 million dollars. The movie stars Anna Kendrick as a college freshman spicing things up for her a cappella singing squad.

Sci-fi thriller Looper, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, fell from second place to fourth with 12.2 million.

Tim Burton's animated monster tale Frankenweenie had a slow start, taking in 11.5 million dollars to round out the top-five. T