Revisit The Grey instead.

Rating: 5/10 (4 March 2014)

The next movie in Liam Neeson's badass phase, Non-Stop is the sort of flick that becomes worse, and stupider, the more you think about it. Set aboard a mid-flight airliner where a concealed passenger threatens to kill somebody every 20 minutes unless paid $150m, it initially appears clever and ripe with opportunity. However when the ludicrous third-act twist comes along, it becomes evident just how dumb the plot really is, subsequently making what came before it harder to swallow. Which is a shame because for the first hour or so it's a decent thriller. The claustrophobic setting offers a few splices of tension, the occasional sudden change in the plane's elevation allows director Jaume Collet-Serra to include some choice slow-mo moments and the rare fight sequences – a bathroom brawl a standout – are effective. Neeson gives good gruff as the U.S. Air Marshall attempting to save the day and Michelle Dockery excels as an experienced air hostess conflicted when Neeson's Marshall is posed by the media as a hijacker, however Corey Stoll is dire as a dogged NYPD cop aboard the flight and Julianne Moore seems embarrassed to be there as a frequent flyer and potential love interest. If it weren't for the drivel in the final 30 minutes Non-Stop would be passable cinema fodder, as it is if you're looking for an exciting, interesting and smart Neeson-thriller you should revisit The Grey instead.