Run All Night

I came to a startling revelation recently that Liam Neeson is probably the MOST represented actor on Rath's Reviews. 

Since I started this several years ago, I've reviewed five Neeson-kicks-ass action films, and I know I missed a couple along the way. On the surface, that doesn't sound like many, but it's definitely one of the most prominent film types on the site and I would argue that the Neeson action caper is practically a Hollywood genre at this point (proof provided by the nearly identical The Gunman with Sean Penn coming later this month)

There is certainly a spectrum developing from Neeson's films ranging from the awfully disappointing and crappy, Taken 2 to the fan favorite, film-I-can't-praise-enough, The Grey. Then you have those that lie somewhere in the middle like last year's A Walk Among the Tombstones (in the middle of the pack), Non-Stop (nearer to The Grey in quality), and Tak3n (very near to the "quality" of Taken 2). 

This spectrum begs the question: what makes a good Liam Neeson action film? Why does he have films, that are essentially derivatives of each other, that range in score from 4.5 to 9? For starters, when you remove Olivier Megaton from directing, that's a step in the right direction. More than that though, Neeson's best movies are the uncomplicated ones -- ones where everything is pretty straightforward and it's Neeson getting from Point A to Point B. They also have to feature some well filmed, brutal action, and his best films have some heart, maybe even a deeper meaning.

Run All Night comes very quickly after one of Neeson's weakest outings in Tak3n and the trailers didn't do much to encourage me that this would be anything special in the world of Neeson. I did some research though and it comes from director Jaume Collet-Serra who worked with Neeson on a few other films, including last year's really fun, Non-Stop. So there was room for hope that the pairing would work out again, and truthfully it does work out pretty well this time, although I'd argue not as well as it did with Non-Stop. 

Sooner or later Neeson is going to need some reading/shooting glasses.

"Point and shoot, son! It's not that hard!"

Run All Night gains some *small* bonus points for being unique in the sense that this is a film mostly about fathers, sons, and the sins that follow from one generation to the next. Neeson's Jimmy is a former killer that is wasting away in his pity and alcoholism, while his son Mike (Joel Kinnaman) stays far away from him. Jimmy ends up killing long time friend/business partner Shawn's (Ed Harris) son, Danny, who is a punk and was going to shoot Mike. Long story short: one father protects his son from the son of his friend. His friend seeks revenge and Jimmy must defend his son. On paper it seems a bit more complicated than it is and the film does a good job at making it straight forward, like most Neeson flicks. It's not groundbreaking in its originality, but rather a bit Shakespearean, leading to a few heartfelt moments. Throughout the film the plot is smart most of the time, although there are two specific "choices" that I thought were stupid and ill explained, Danny choosing to attempt to kill Mike being one of them. 

The films starts off as a bit of a slow burner but quickly gets into its action, which, truth be told, is a bit mundane as well at this stage of Neeson's career. It's filmed MUCH, MUCH better than Tak3n's (Dear Lord, so much better...) because it's not over edited to the point of nausea. But we've seen it all before: car chases, gun fights, foot chases, etc. It's decent action, it just doesn't bring anything new to the table. Strangely in a Neeson film, I found myself more interested in the drama unfolding rather than the action presented, but I was happily enjoying both. 

Trust me...the laser doesn't help his aim at all

"Don't you feel a little under dressed, Neeson?"

I was also really impressed with the principal cast, who all deliver good performances. Neeson both is and isn't his typical self here. He's a foul mouthed alcoholic who makes more than a couple d**k jokes, but is the typical badass we are used to. Kinnaman was a strong choice as his son and I was really able to believe in their father and son bond, as well as the age-old friendship Neeson had with Ed Harris. Common is interesting here as a hitman, it's just too bad his hitman was both unnecessary and also terrible. I realize it's an action film but his aim was so bad it made a stormtrooper look like a regular American Sniper. It almost begs for a side comedy film of the silly escapades of Common's assassin and how he escapes situations based on dumb luck rather than his complete lack of skill with a firearm. 

Make no mistake, Run All Night is no perfect film, nor is it one that I see anyone remembering at the end of the year as one of their "favorites". But as far as Liam Neeson films go, it's one of his stronger outings, and as far as action films are concerned it's about as good as an "average" film can get without crossing that territory into greatness. 

As I pretty much always say with Neeson films, you could do a lot worse than this film, or you could just watch The Grey again.

CONS:

• Some of the plot decisions are poor and aren't backed with much justification
• Nothing new with regards to the action presented
• Common's assassin is not necessary to the film. Remove him completely and the film would barely change. Also, worst aim ever
• Takes a little while to get into the action

PROS:

• Well orchestrated, Shakespearean plot, that really helps to give the film some emotional beats and driving force
• A strong principal cast who pretty much all do the best with what they are given
• Well filmed action
• Decent original score
• Despite my somewhat low expectations, I was pleasantly surprised by this one and enjoyed it overall

Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10