CONNOR BURTON
Special to The Leader
Ever since Liam Neeson delivered the now iconic threat to his daughter’s kidnappers in “Taken,” he has been on a streak of action movies that center on a troubled, but likeable, character with a specific set of skills. There is a pattern to his roles that has become apparent, yet still remains effective. He is either lost or has alienated himself from those around him, and when trouble comes, he uses his skills to dispose of the bad guys and save the day. While it’s become a predictable formula, if you’ve enjoyed those films thus far, then “Run All Night” will prove an entertaining enough time.
“Run All Night” is Neeson’s third collaboration with director Jaume Collet-Serra, who previously directed Neeson in “Unknown” and “Non-Stop.” If you’ve seen any of Neeson’s previous action films or have seen the trailer, “Run All Night” is a fairly predictable affair, but an entertaining one, nonetheless. It doesn’t break the mold, but rather fits in securely as one of Neeson’s better outings in recent years.
The thriller follows Neeson as a former mob hit-man who is haunted by his past actions and those he has driven away. His only friend is the mob boss, played by Ed Harris. After killing his boss’ son to save his own estranged son, played by Joel Kinnaman, the two must go on the run in New York City as cops and criminals chase them.
The plot is fairly formulaic and hits all the expected beats, but it never seems to drag or get boring. The violence is entertaining and, thankfully, not choppily edited like “Taken 3.” With an R rating, there’s a decent amount of bloodshed but nothing graphic or exploitative. Collet-Serra shoots the action effectively and knows how to showcase Neeson’s set of skills.
“Run All Night” ranks higher up on the list of Neeson’s action films. It would rank somewhere behind the first “Taken” and “The Grey.” Neeson’s best work, arguably to date, has been “The Grey.” He’s always been a great and reliable actor, but his work in “The Grey” was heartbreaking and incredible.
“Run All Night” features a solid supporting cast with the likes of Joel Kinnaman, who some might recognize from the recent “Robocop” movie, Ed Harris, Boyd Holbrook, Vincent D’Onofrio and Common The best scenes are between Neeson and Harris. The characters have a long history, and when these two veteran actors share the screen, it’s great watching them feed off each other. Despite still caring about one another, a score must be settled, and only blood for blood will do.
Liam Neeson’s latest outing is enough to make up for the lackluster “Taken 3.” If you’ve enjoyed his films in recent years, then “Run All Night” will be an entertaining action thriller with no surprises. It’s gritty, fast-paced and consistently action-packed. There’s enough heart in it to go with the action, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking. What it does deliver is a familiar, but entertaining and thrilling, action movie with a solid redemption story that is elevated by Liam Neeson and Ed Harris.