Dark, with genuine suspense. Visceral and scary. Probably the best adaption of one of Lawrence Block's novels. Very well done. Causes me to have high hopes if we ever get a Travis McGee movie.
Liam Neeson, Tom Cruise, Idris Elba, Denzel Washington, and Fassbender Are the only actors that I trust enough to go into a movie with no knowledge about it and know that I will get at least a decent movie.
YOYOdaMOOSE Neeson and Cruise haven't made crappy movies!?! Come on, man! I did these guys, but your on some kinda nutsack tip if you think they ain't made some whack flicks.
This would make for a nice matinee. It's a little bit overlong and convoluted, but it's also nicely atmospheric and has a very good final act. The performances are good and I appreciate Neeson's more vulnerable turn here as opposed to be a full-on action hero, and Brian "Astro" Bradley as his sort of teen sidekick is great. He's the real standout. This is a dark movie, but it has some humor which actually works because it's realistic. While there are some sequences that don't work, there are others that work really well, and despite its occasional pacing issues, it warrants being checked out. That's all I have to say. Shortest review ever. 7/10, good, one thumb up, above average, etc.
People expected Taken and this ridiculous Liam Neeson-like action flick. They didn't get it. They actually got a good movie. So what do they do? They shit on it. I think 7 is a perfect rating for this movie. Good, old school, straight-forward, dark detective thriller. Good stuff.
Exactly, it's a high 6 if not 7 out of 10 movie for me. It's a really underrated movie that's part of the Liam Neeson action genre. In fact, it's my second favorite of the Liam Neeson action films behind The Grey.
Haha, Ben's comment at the end about two similiar movies coming out at the same time and the second one suffering.....that wouldn't have anything to do with Ben having a small role in White House Down, would it?
Good movie. Grim is right. I'm surprised that these guys didn't mention an obvious tip of the hat to David Fincher's "Zodiac" that happens in the movie. I won't spoil it.
It's been out for a little while now, so why not? The scene where the bad guys are scoping out the little girl while sitting in their van, they played a Donovan song, "Atlantis". In Zodiac they played Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" during the first murder of the kids in the car. I guess it's less obvious if you don't know Donovan's songs, but it was a nice touch I thought.
I am with Ben with regard to the extremely violent scenes of any movie. I had to stop watching movies like Bullhead and The Lives of Others when there are extreme scenes of violence or rape.
Many young actors make the mistake of taking on an action franchise, banking on its success to take them to fame and greater opportunities. Unfortunately, they often get typecasted as being too handsome or not good enough an actor and their careers stall and it takes a long time to build back up. They should look to Liam Neeson for their careers, make serious dramas, try to win an Oscar earlier in your career, than take the bad ass action roles when you are older. At which point producers will be throwing their scripts at you to get on board, and they too, like Neeson can choose, not only to do big dumb action movies (although this doesn't appear to be another Bresson-like movie), but GOOD big dumb action movies.
Good for Neeson, but bad for us fans who wont be able to see Neeson play Matt Scudder many more times as he will finally get too old. (Although the film didnt make enough money for a sequel anyway).
From what I understand the novel featured a much darker, devastating sort of ending that the filmmakers shied away from here. Which is odd considering all I'm hearing/ reading about it being a hard R, and very gritty and raw-that they chickened out at the end and tacked on an easy finish is disappointing.
I think it can be looked at in a another way too. Liam played a hard cop..and cared about justice. Even wanted to bring the guy's in. I think this showed more character then if he were to torture them. Even though they were sick fucks.
Demention94 Interesting take. And to be clear I haven't yet read the book. I did see the film last night and for the most part enjoyed it. Wasn't as hard of an R as I was expecting frankly. But I do agree with Christie and Matt that I think The Drop is the better film.
City Unseen Wasn't as hard of an R as you were expecting. Hmm..Were you expecting something a little darker like 8MM maybe? And I haven't seen the drop yet..but I have heard it is good. Just looked a little boring to me..alot of good actors though.
Demention94 8MM wow that takes me back. Truth told I'm not the biggest Schumacher fan. I think that I've seen so many truly horrific foreign films that when I see an American "hard R" it feels tame by comparison. That sounds wicked pretentious I know. But still I liked this more than I thought I would. I recommend The Drop, also a surprisingly good film. And Gandolfini's last role
@City Unseen Not pretencious at all..I would have to agree..foriegn films can be very grotesque in that way. I avoid those ..though some deserve credit. I am looking forward to the drop now.
Neeson . . . as dependable as 007. Recently watched Non-Stop (the airplane thriller). And was surprised how bored I got half way thru. Luckily I recorded so I could fast-forward to discover the villian. Yawn.
Dark, with genuine suspense. Visceral and scary. Probably the best adaption of one of Lawrence Block's novels. Very well done. Causes me to have high hopes if we ever get a Travis McGee movie.
"I've done this before". Yes, you have Liam Neeson... Yes you have
Liam Neeson, Tom Cruise, Idris Elba, Denzel Washington, and Fassbender Are the only actors that I trust enough to go into a movie with no knowledge about it and know that I will get at least a decent movie.
Bruce Willis used to be on that list for me.
Ex0dus111 Was it Die hard 5 that broke that for you?
killerbee256 Yeah and the Kevin Smith stuff.
I'd take Idris and Denzel off that list they are both great but neither are really in consistently good films
YOYOdaMOOSE Neeson and Cruise haven't made crappy movies!?! Come on, man! I did these guys, but your on some kinda nutsack tip if you think they ain't made some whack flicks.
I like Liam Neeson movies . He has got really a majestic voice . Great review folks . Thanks
It's not a 'hard R' movie. It's 14A in Canada.
When are you guys gonna do the guest
i hope there's a review on Tusk... your missing major filmes this year...
Where can i get Matt's T-shirt?
It looks fabulous...
Wow better than I expected
Also, you should review Tusk. It's horrible, and I'd love to hear Ben's thoughts on it. It's like the Movie 43 of A24's filmography.
This would make for a nice matinee. It's a little bit overlong and convoluted, but it's also nicely atmospheric and has a very good final act. The performances are good and I appreciate Neeson's more vulnerable turn here as opposed to be a full-on action hero, and Brian "Astro" Bradley as his sort of teen sidekick is great. He's the real standout. This is a dark movie, but it has some humor which actually works because it's realistic. While there are some sequences that don't work, there are others that work really well, and despite its occasional pacing issues, it warrants being checked out. That's all I have to say. Shortest review ever. 7/10, good, one thumb up, above average, etc.
Hey Ben, I spotted you in a video category on Jeopardy yesterday. That was really cool of you!
Totally agree with Christy about The Lookout.
Thanks guys. I was compelled to see this based on your review and I wasn't disappointed. Definitely my favourite Liam Neeson movie of recent years!
People expected Taken and this ridiculous Liam Neeson-like action flick. They didn't get it. They actually got a good movie. So what do they do? They shit on it. I think 7 is a perfect rating for this movie. Good, old school, straight-forward, dark detective thriller. Good stuff.
Exactly, it's a high 6 if not 7 out of 10 movie for me. It's a really underrated movie that's part of the Liam Neeson action genre. In fact, it's my second favorite of the Liam Neeson action films behind The Grey.
nero12345789 I agree with all of that.
I love Alonso's Cannon T-shirt.
Haha, Ben's comment at the end about two similiar movies coming out at the same time and the second one suffering.....that wouldn't have anything to do with Ben having a small role in White House Down, would it?
When I first seen this trailer I was thinking "is this taken 3?"
Good movie. Grim is right. I'm surprised that these guys didn't mention an obvious tip of the hat to David Fincher's "Zodiac" that happens in the movie. I won't spoil it.
just watched it... curious as to where that was?
It's been out for a little while now, so why not? The scene where the bad guys are scoping out the little girl while sitting in their van, they played a Donovan song, "Atlantis". In Zodiac they played Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" during the first murder of the kids in the car. I guess it's less obvious if you don't know Donovan's songs, but it was a nice touch I thought.
Larry Lachmann you my friend are a movie makers ideal watcher!!!
BlkUnk Thanks! lol
If you guys could just start these videos with the trailer, I'd be so happy.
I'll be surprised if this is better than The Grey, which is easily the best of these late career Liam Neeson movies.
just finished watching this movie, i liked it.
Do the movie fed up please.
Pass. After 'Taken 2,' I'm never seeing anything else with Neeson in it.
This seems a lot closer to the Equalizer than the coming Denzel Washington movie....
I am with Ben with regard to the extremely violent scenes of any movie. I had to stop watching movies like Bullhead and The Lives of Others when there are extreme scenes of violence or rape.
What is it with you Guys an Idris Elba? The wire? Cause the films he's been in have been kind of shitty. And mostly in supporting roles.
Is Out of Sight Jennifer Lopez's only good film, I'm with Ben I absolutely love that movie.
Not to defend jennifer lopez because I basically totally dislike her. But I can name other films she was in that was good - like the cell.
Many young actors make the mistake of taking on an action franchise, banking on its success to take them to fame and greater opportunities. Unfortunately, they often get typecasted as being too handsome or not good enough an actor and their careers stall and it takes a long time to build back up. They should look to Liam Neeson for their careers, make serious dramas, try to win an Oscar earlier in your career, than take the bad ass action roles when you are older. At which point producers will be throwing their scripts at you to get on board, and they too, like Neeson can choose, not only to do big dumb action movies (although this doesn't appear to be another Bresson-like movie), but GOOD big dumb action movies.
Good for Neeson, but bad for us fans who wont be able to see Neeson play Matt Scudder many more times as he will finally get too old. (Although the film didnt make enough money for a sequel anyway).
Whether it's gratuitous or not I don't want to watch torture scenes. I don't want to watch scenes that justify torture.
From what I understand the novel featured a much darker, devastating sort of ending that the filmmakers shied away from here. Which is odd considering all I'm hearing/ reading about it being a hard R, and very gritty and raw-that they chickened out at the end and tacked on an easy finish is disappointing.
I think it can be looked at in a another way too. Liam played a hard cop..and cared about justice. Even wanted to bring the guy's in. I think this showed more character then if he were to torture them. Even though they were sick fucks.
Demention94 Interesting take. And to be clear I haven't yet read the book. I did see the film last night and for the most part enjoyed it. Wasn't as hard of an R as I was expecting frankly. But I do agree with Christie and Matt that I think The Drop is the better film.
City Unseen Wasn't as hard of an R as you were expecting. Hmm..Were you expecting something a little darker like 8MM maybe? And I haven't seen the drop yet..but I have heard it is good. Just looked a little boring to me..alot of good actors though.
Demention94
8MM wow that takes me back. Truth told I'm not the biggest Schumacher fan. I think that I've seen so many truly horrific foreign films that when I see an American "hard R" it feels tame by comparison. That sounds wicked pretentious I know. But still I liked this more than I thought I would. I recommend The Drop, also a surprisingly good film. And Gandolfini's last role
@City Unseen Not pretencious at all..I would have to agree..foriegn films can be very grotesque in that way. I avoid those ..though some deserve credit. I am looking forward to the drop now.
Liam Neeson is god in a show I watched once.
Neeson . . . as dependable as 007. Recently watched Non-Stop (the airplane thriller). And was surprised how bored I got half way thru. Luckily I recorded so I could fast-forward to discover the villian. Yawn.
sound like a good movie
Vr mais um pdacinho d um dos tantos filmes d Liam é bom dmais
Nice Review!
Boyfriend and I were a bit bored by it. Taken movies are better. It was slow and kind of campy.
Ben is cool and everything but he's not really a critic kinda guy. Things he says sometimes.
Yawn. Bring on the "Wolves vs Neeson 2" instead.
I give up. What does "TYT" mean. Take your time?
Far superior to that crap trap The Equalizer.
Not as good as Se7en.
Horrible review
That women is annoying.
Taken 6
oh, look, another taken movie
Completely different film than Taken, and better than Taken.