Non-Stop

Rating: 7/10 (8 March 2014)

Bada$$....The word thats become synonymous with Liam Neeson since his unpredictable action hero turn in 2008 with the now cult favorite "Taken". I often ask myself how Neeson arrived at this status but that kind of ruins a bit of the fun for me if I over think it.
The action hero is a bit of an endangered species in todays Hollywood. I mean, action films are still getting made but there aren't many good ones and if there are some solid action films being made, we aren't seeing the same one actor appear in them and that is what has separated Neeson from the rest. When you think about it, Neeson and Tom Cruise (50 years old himself) are the only consistent "action heroes" that are constantly churning out action films that are actually quite entertaining (except for Jack Reacher...take a mulligan on that one Tom).
Non-Stop is the perfect cure for the post-Oscars theater blues as for the most part during the first month or two after awards season we are treated to a major garbage-fest. Non-Stop has that familiar Liam Neeson "Taken" feel to it and it keeps us alert and entertained throughout the whole ride. These films are not only good for us to watch Neeson kick a$$, but these films also serve as opportunities for somewhat unknown actors to showcase their skills and get their faces out there (Corey Stoll from "House of Cards", Scoot McNairy (12 Years a Slave, Killing them Softly, and Lupita N'Yongo fresh off her Oscar win in "Slave"). These actors are hoping to use films like these as a jump start and to hopefully go from unknown to not necessarily star but at least get to the point of being recognized as "that guy from that thing".
Julianne Moore was kind of pointless here. She is (was?) a star and a 4- time Oscar nominee but her role could have been played by an unknown. It was almost distracting seeing someone of her caliber just kind of randomly thrown in this role as she wasn't even promoted with the film. You just see her and it's like, "Oh crap, that's Julianne Moore I didn't know she was in this". Then again, would knowing she was in it beforehand make you want to see a movie like "Non-Stop" even more?...probably not.
What makes Neeson so great in these roles, besides his a$$ kicking prowess and the fact that he is bound to have a classic "corny" action line ("Your arrogance offends me" from Taken is still my all time favorite action line), is that he knows how to utilize his voice and facial expressions to make these characters who seem unstoppable also display a sense of vulnerability and inner turmoil that makes us care about them.
In the end, Non-Stop" doesn't take itself too seriously. It is a fun movie that entertains from start to finish and that alone warrants the ticket price.