An excellent mystery action thriller all round that I'm glad came to be known.

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2011)

Unknown stars Liam Neeson as Dr. Martin Harris who arrives in Berlin Germany with his wife Elizabeth (January Jones) for a conference. At the hotel they are staying at he remembers he left one of his briefcases at the airport and catches a cab to go back and get it. But on the way he and the cab driver, a woman Gina (Diane Kruger) are in an accident and crash off a low bridge where during the plunge Martin hits his head on the window.
He wakes up four days later from a coma in hospital and finds he has amnesia as his memory is fragmented. He remembers his wife at the hotel and goes to her but she claims she's not married to him and produces her husband Martin Harris (2). Martin claims number two stole his identity and despite trying to persuade people no one will believe him as he finds people he knows do not recognise him as the real Martin Harris, so he enlists the help of Gina and investigator Ernst Jurgen (Bruno Ganz) to help him find out the truth. Is "Martin" losing his mind? Is it the amnesia? Or is there something more sinister going on?
Well watch and find out for yourself. The film keeps you cleverly guessing from the start to the end with a cracking twist I didn't see coming. The action sequences are exciting with a one in particular breathtaking car chase with some great stunts, the story is strong for a Hollywood thriller and interesting, unfolding at a brisk pace with plenty of suspense and tension. Liam Neeson gives a terrific performance and is establishing himself as the new ageing hero of Hollywood like Harrison Ford and others previously. He is really convincing of a man being lost with no identity and makes you care for his character. Bruno Ganz as Jurgen gives a solid supporting performance. It is also superbly shot and edited by director Jaume Collet-Serra.
What stopped short for me of giving this a ten is the fact there are some plot holes (though they are not too bad) and the supporting actresses are not memorable. Diane Kruger and January Jones give poor plain performances and do not really convince in their roles. Also the script isn't really that good and feels very run of the mill and there is little characterisation of Neeson's character, which could have rounded off the plot better. But despite these gripes it didn't bother me too much and I was highly relieved this was a great film after watching the terrible I am Number Four at the cinema only two days previously. Unknown is a excellent mystery thriller overall which I thought was even better than Taken. If you like Liam Neeson or want a great action and mystery thriller, Unknown is for you.