Liam Neeson, 70-year-old action hero.
Among film consumers, grammar constructions in the style of “a Liam Neeson” or “typical Liam Neeson film” are already very common. The actor, who has just turned 70, has since been able to build a sub-genre under his own name. Relentless research (Taken) took over the world more than ten years ago. Today it shines on Netflix with Ice Road and The Protectorto give just two examples.
The event is exceptional.. Which actor or actress made a career change for him as pronounced as him? Who reinvented themselves this way in their fifties with a melting pot of incredible films behind them? The fascination with Neeson is relatively serious and is reflected in the tickets sold.
Since being Bryan Mills in Relentless Pursuit, the Schindler’s List and Star Wars actor has starred in 12 action movies. Films that quietly, once the titan retires from the genre, could be collected in a special pack of records or, directly, compose a retrospective at the Mar del Plata festival.
Neeson at the premiere of Non-Stop. Photo: REUTERS
All of his films give Neeson an expert in something and always – or almost – fighting on the side of good, of good. As much as his character walks in strange things, like in recent times an honest thiefin one way or another it is on our side.
Neither boasts an intellectual script or prodigious performance. Nothing of the kind. In them, i action choreography, poignant dialogues and the artist’s innate charisma.
Unfortunately, we have little left of Neeson dealing shots and running away with stolen cars. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Northern Irish actor said he is thinking of ditching the genre.
Neeson in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List.
“There are a couple more films that I will make this year, if the coronavirus allows it, some in talks, and it will probably be up to par,” he slipped.
Therefore, taking into account the arrival of The Protector (The Marksman) on Netflix Latin America, we will a short tour of Liam’s action films after Relentless Pursuit which you can find on the most popular platforms.
Clarification: taking into account that in one day to survive (The Gray) Neeson fights against nature, we will tell it as an adventure film and not as a Taken-style action production.
The protector
Netflix
In The Protector he plays Jim.
In this one of 2021, the protagonist of the note you are reading plays an Arizona border farmer who unexpectedly becomes the protector of a Mexican boy on the run from a cartel. Nothing very flashy, but it conforms.
Relentless pursuit 1, 2 and 3
Disney Plus
In Taken 1, 2 and 3 is Bryan Mills. The movies have a prequel series.
Neeson’s adventure among the bullets began when a group of mobsters kidnapped her fictional daughter Kim in France. On Disney Plus there are the three films in the franchise.
In them it does Bryan Mills, a retired special agent who has things very clear. He is able to follow the path of a car blindfolded or take down an army of fighters on his own. A mix of MacGyver and John McClane that dazzles those with eyes.
The level of the films goes from the highest to the lowest. The first movie gets Bryan’s daughter into trouble, his second daughter, his wife and him, and the third … the same. In all, the main concept is revengeof both Mills and the bad guys.
In all three Relentless Quests, the action style is elegant and dynamic. The mind-boggling scenes are varied and entertainment is almost guaranteed. It begins to falter when you notice that the formula may run out.
revenge below zero
First video
In Vengeance under zero is Nelson Coxman.
The strangest, so to speak, of those on this list. Quite risky, but not that effective. It is a patchy remake of a much-vaunted Norwegian film called One After Another.
In it, Neeson plays a father whose son is murdered and wants revenge. So far nothing very different from him, but the matter becomes increasingly rarefied when a network of heterogeneous characters enters the scene who are gradually gaining as much prominence as the anti-hero.
Despite his intentions to break out of the rule, to escape the cliché, Vengeance under zero is carried away by some announced twists and somewhat clunky resolutions that aren’t quite as revolutionary as his manager probably imagined. Strange, considering that the director of the film is the one who made the original. A question of cultures?
Unknown
hbo max
In Unknown he is Martin Harris.
Neeson’s first incredible collaboration with the director Jaume Collet-Serra it is a success. A hug to the Taken fans.
Once again playing a character who stands alone in front of the world, Liam promotes his concept of a veteran action hero by playing Martin Harrisa doctor who after having suffered an accident wakes up and realizes that his identity has been stolen.
A long and amusing European journey of the protagonist in search not of a daughter, but of a truth that makes him face strange people who do not want to see him move the pieces of a seemingly perfect table.
Non stop
First video
In Non-Stop it’s Bill Marks.
The second meeting of Neeson and Collet-Serra. Here we have Liam aboard a plane trying to save the lives of passengers from a mysterious messenger who threatens him over the phone.
Non-Stop, as the title indicates, does not give up. The action and suspense at the top devour the scene from the first minute and Neeson is in good company: Julianne Moore and Lupita Nyong’o follow him in the cast.
One night to survive
hbo max
In A Night to Survive it is Jimmy Conlon.
One of the actors as an antihero. In a new comedy starring Jaume Collet-Serra, Neeson plays a veteran mercenary who is obsessed with his past and must once again sort out his son’s affairs.
Nicola Mancini
Source: Clarin
