"Run All Night" Review

I'd be remiss to talk about "Run All Night" without making the comparison to "Taken 3", 2015's first Liam-Neeson-shoots-bad-guys-to-save-his-family film. "Taken 3", through incomprehensible action and ho-hum characters, neuters the house its predecessor built; but this is where "Run All Night" comes in.

"Run All Night" is the better offering from Neeson this year, but not solely from the benefit of lowered expectations. It sticks to the formula, and works within its confines. With inspired action and strong performances from the likes of Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent D'Onofrio and Neeson, "Run All Night" delivers a solidly entertaining 90's-tinted revenge thriller.   

Neeson plays mob stooge Jimmy Conlon, working for the Maguire family, led by childhood friend Shawn (Harris) and his son, Danny (Boyd Holbrook). When the aftermath of Danny's bad business deal ropes in Jimmy's estranged son, Michael (Kinnaman), Jimmy confronts Shawn, the police, and his own past to save Michael and his family.

Where "Run All Night" differs from others in the Neeson catalog is in its characterization. The movie is a crossroads between corruption and redemption, scumbags and honest businessmen. Throughout, a tension brews as Jimmy tries to redeem (or at least, come to grips with) his murderous past, Michael fights to avoid becoming like his father, and Shawn reluctantly slides back into his old, violent ways. The film takes the time to let these performances create empathy and involve us into not only the bulk of the story, but its emotional undercurrents.

However, don't make this to be a dialogue drama; any movie involving Liam Neeson in a gunfight with Common (who oddly resembles both Clark Kent and the T-1000 as Shawn's hit man) laughs at such an accusation. Director Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop, Orphan) crafts impressive action, most notably an early car chase that's in-your-face without blowing up every fire hydrant and fruit stand on the sides of the streets. Whether it be a fistfight or a chase, Collet-Serra plots each scene with purpose, raising the stakes and stacking the odds against the protagonists.

My main issue with "Run All Night" is its attempts to be stylish or artsy, with indulgent cinematography and CGI transitions. While they do give the film character, I find these elements to distract from the action, something Collet-Serra ironically mentions in a DP/30 interview. With such a dirty, realistic tone, these pieces don't fit.

Barring this nitpick, I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this film. Fun performances across the board, inspired dialogue and character development, well-constructed action: it all makes for a thriller that when stacked up against others in the Neeson genre, stands as a solid contender for one of the best. If you're looking for a hard-boiled action flick with a classic feel, this is a good choice for an afternoon matinee.

Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without A Plan, signing off.