Think you've seen this kind of story before; bet you haven't

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2011)

The one thing successful starring actors have in common is their ability to turn down project they don't have to do and pick the ones they instinctively know will satisfy them on an artistic level. This is not something I'm making up; James Lipton, host of 'Inside The Actors Studio', usually asks that to his guests in one way or another. The answers most often replied are along the lines of this review's first sentence. Liam Neeson is one of those actors who knows how to pick' em. Just glance at his filmography; it speaks volume. I decided to watch this movie solely on the basis of him having a starring role; I have not yet been disappointed by any of the projects he's been a part of.
Furthermore, Neeson varies his roles. Carl Anderson, the deaf-mute accused man in "Suspect", Peyton Westlake /Darkman in "Darkman", Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List", Dr. Jerome Lovell in "Nell", Valjean in "Les Misérables", Alfred Kinsey in "Kinsey", Carver in "Seraphin Falls", Hannibal Smith in "The A-Team" and Bryan Mills in "Taken", to name just a few of the diverse characters he's played in his 84 movies (in 32 years).
I enjoyed the movie because it was a thriller like thrillers ought to be; the pace is sometimes fast, sometimes slower with a new twist as the changes in pace occur. Anyone who claims the story is predictable, speaks of a different movie and has sniffed too much crazy glue. Key to a good thriller like this one is that you think the hero is screwed but he's not; twenty minutes later, he's screwed again, but he's not. Then, when you think he's about to get himself unscrewed one more time, he falls deeper into trouble; oh yeah he's fu##d for sure this time You get my point.
The movie also has a supporting cast that would make any lead proud; a star shines more brightly with the likes of Diane Kruger, Aidan Quinn and Frank Langella. The director's previous project is one that I watched on a movie channel in recent months; I had not bothered to look up who it was but I think I'll remember Jaume Collet-Serra from now on.