Director Jaume Collet-Serra structures and times his picture much like a jigsaw puzzle, appropriate given the plot scenario

Rating: 8/10 (10 March 2011)

For a man who is almost in his sixties, Liam Neeson is sure keeping himself, and his career, in shape. He was immortalized for playing Oskar Schindler, the man who saved 1100 people during Nazi Germany, in Steven Spielberg's masterpiece "Schindler's List" but as of recently, has taken a nose-dive into the action/thriller genre. Since "Batman Begins" in 2005, he's been keeping our blood pumping with one terrific thriller after another. His latest pulse-raiser is "Unknown" which follows in the tradition of the Jason Bourne movies.
In the picture, Mr. Neeson plays Dr. Martin Harris, a scientist visiting Germany with his wife (January Jones) for a medical convention. Mr. Neeson is severely injured in a car accident, wakes up from a coma, only to find that nobody, not even his wife, has a clue of who he is. Without giving too much away, I will say that the plot of "Unknown" becomes bewilderingly preposterous and if you think about it for more than thirty seconds, you will pass it off as nonsense, which it is. However, the movie keeps on going and it's not until it's over that you start thinking about how ridiculously twist-stricken it was. During its 106-minute running time, against your better judgment, you buy it. Willingly.
"Unknown" is the second Liam Neeson thriller in three years to place him in Europe. The former was "Taken." Both movies are similar in a lot of regards. And while "Unknown" does not have the heart of "Taken" it does have the same fast-cut pacing, earsplitting sound effects, and knowledge of how to stimulate the audience. Director Jaume Collet-Serra structures and times his picture much like a jigsaw puzzle, appropriate given the plot scenario. Mr. Neeson, almost always on-camera, delves into the mystery as do we. Had a lesser actor been placed in the lead role, "Unknown" might have spiraled away from conviction despite its other accolades. But because Mr. Neeson, one of our finest actors, is a master of staying in character and manufacturing characters that the audience goes for, he helps us really stay wrapped in what is happening.
There is not much else I can say about "Unknown" without giving away too much plot detail. And I don't want to do that, because that will spoil the fun and might deter you from going to see the movie. But this is one terrific thrill ride with a tremendously charismatic cast and some truly riveting action sequences.
In regards to the supporting cast -- Miss Jones as the leery wife, given her limited screen time, is believable regardless of what twists the plot throws her way. As the taxi driver who saves Mr. Neeson's life, Diane Kruger is her usual, in-character and charismatic self. (There is no love affair between them, I'm thankful to say -- tired old cliché). As the impostor, Aiden Quinn is sharp and venomous, Bruno Ganz is superb as the world-weary private eye, and Frank Langella shells out a marvelous performance as we near the third act.