An absolutely amazing Popcorn flick!! Best release of the year thus far!!

Rating: 9/10 (21 February 2011)

I think Liam Neeson gained a whole new following with the release of mainstream action flick Taken. Unknown is most definitely marketed and presented with Taken in mind and as good as Taken was Unknown buries it!! This is the true heart of popcorn theatre flicks. If the sole purpose of movies is to entertain this one smashes it out of the park. Unknown is the perfect blend of the Bourne films, and Taken with a great story, solid thrills, great car chases, European scenery and a terrific mystery that ties up all the loose hands with an outstanding twist at the end. For the most part I kept thinking that the solution to the mystery would be anti-climatic or leave gaping plot holes and imagine my surprise and happiness when I was wrong and the ending was fantastic! It isn't the best acting, it isn't a brilliant artsy piece but it is the most entertaining movie I have seen in 2011 and there is nothing wrong with that!!
One of the hardest working men in Hollywood Liam Neeson is becoming an enormous star force. He is very versatile and it turns out he is a great action star. Best of all he always seems very down to earth and makes a great underdog who always comes out swinging. Neeson is almost the same character from Taken but that's okay too because he is easy to watch and his intensity is perfect. Diane Kruger is Neeson's unwilling partner in the mystery and she is good too. They have good chemistry although it is never a romantic feeling chemistry. She has the intensity required in her role to keep up with Neeson and that's no easy task. January Jones is an old fashion Hollywood beauty but that doesn't make for a good actress. I'm not saying she's bad in her role but she certainly doesn't have the same level of quality as some of the other cast members. Her and Neeson look silly together as a couple, Neeson is bordering on being one of those old actors they always put with much younger hotter women. Maybe its Jones' character that doesn't give her a lot of depth but either way she isn't the best part of the cast. Aidan Quinn has a small but vital role that is quite good as the mystery man who takes Neeson's identity. The fight between the two of them at the end if downright excellent. Frank Langella has a very small cameo role but his presence is well received. Swiss actor Bruno Ganz is also very good in a quiet subtle role as Private Investigator Ernst Jürgen.
Jaume Collet-Serra seems to be a studio director and hasn't had a lot of experience to his name. However, he did direct the absolutely outstanding horror flick Orphan and now this. Normally I purposely point to the lack of experience in a film making team but this one is a big exception. Collet-Serra, and the writing team of Stephen Cornwell, and Oliver Butcher have very few credits to their name but they pull this one off flawlessly and this should do great things for their mainstream careers. Whether you love action, mystery or thriller this film should not be missed!! This is one to have in your permanent collection and will impress anyone who simply loves movies!! 9.5/10