Another Exciting Neeson Caper in Europe

Rating: 6/10 (3 March 2011)

"Unknown" has Liam Neeson as botanist Dr. Martin Harris who was to be presenting at a biotechnology conference in Berlin. He figured in a bad car accident which put him into a four-day coma. When he woke up, he had no ID on him. No one knows him, not even his own wife! Some random guy has taken his identity, his life and wife. The plot thickens further when a goon repeatedly tried to kill him. He has to quickly figure out what was going on, as an assassination plot is afoot and he seems to be involved in it!
Liam Neeson is one of those actors, like Nicolas Cage, who have a long thriving career in much smaller films after their splashy debuts in Oscar-caliber movies. Two years ago, he came out with a sleeper hit called "Taken." You will definitely think of "Taken" when you watch "Unknown". Both of them have Liam Neeson in a European country with fights and car chases. With the success of "Unknown," I won't be surprised if he turns up in another European capital with another caper.
The set-up of the situation Neeson gets into happens within the first 15 minutes or so. You will really feel Neeson's frustration as he desperately tries to prove his identity, with everything and everyone else going against him. You really have to suspend your disbelief as you watch. There were too many coincidences. There were too many unrealistic stunts. There were scenes that seemed inconsistent with the harsh Berlin winter setting. This movie would also have us believe that Neeson's character was born in 1966, which I felt was its biggest stretch. Anyway, don't think too hard. Just sit back and enjoy the non- stop action.