10/10 for shotgun editing style!

Rating: 7/10 (15 October 2008)

Yeah - I read the other reviews where people are getting pedantic about the formulaic nature of the film or lack of moral/social commentary.
However, I disagree and although thought the same within the first 10 minutes - washed-up father, dedicated his life to the job, loses family, ex-wife finds someone richer & better blah..blah. However, if you ignore the minor details - the first half-hour is the set-up and then it is straight into high-speed car chases, a bit of parkour, close contact combat, gunfights, drugs, trafficking, immigration, spying, almost no nudity(yes, you read that right) moral dilemma of being a parent etc. and then some more...
I like Liam Neeson as an actor and was not fazed by his lack of distinct American accent - neither should you. He is no J. Bourne/Bond and he is not intended to be, no mystery - but his single-minded goal provides immense entertainment till the end and there is almost no let-up. There are plenty of languages thrown into the mix with the Paris backdrop, which no good euro-Besson flick would be complete without! A lot of action; if you had time to think - you are thinking waay too much.
A really good movie to get your blood flowing. Personally, I feel the movie does have an ethical side - but, no need to get tetchy about the politics - as you don't even have to leave home, read the papers or possess a connection for that these days, it will come at you faster than you can say Frantic!