MOVIE REVIEW: Unknown
By Megan Carroll
Once again, Liam Neeson is kicking ass and taking names in Unknown. Neeson’s strong-willed, seemingly honorable character goes up against unknown forces who are threatening him and a loved one. Wow, I feel like I could be writing a review for his 2008 film, Taken. Modify the plot a bit, sprinkle in some pretty new blonde actresses and make a slight change in location and you have Unknown, starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger and the snooze fest that is January Jones.
As expected, we begin with Neeson playing the everyday man who is soon goaded into the one-man army that is Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson). Pursuing both his own identity and his wife, Harris awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that is wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn’t recognize him, and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Harris finds himself alone being pursued by unknown assassins, but he is soon aided by an unlikely ally (Diane Kruger). Harris plunges head first into a lethal mystery that will force him to question everything.
As we watch the ever-endearing Neeson, we are quickly and unknowingly hooked. As an audience member you are right there with him, ready for revenge and compassionate to his cause. This golden film formula has worked on audience members before and no matter how many times it happens to me, I find myself on the edge of my seat!
Unknown is not a perfect film, but with a veteran actor at the helm you find yourself enjoying the surprisingly well-directed film. Rather unknown himself, director Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan) creates a thrill ride that closely resembles the pace of an old Hitchcock film. Not as brilliantly done as Polanski with Ghost Writer, but still commendable. Weaving in frenetic car chases in downtown Berlin with stylish chess-like cat and mouse moves in an art gallery, Collet-Serra’s affection for everything Hitchcock is undeniable.
Even though the plot asks you to ignore a lot of holes, Unknown is still an edge-of-your-seat nail-bitter. The almost two hour run time feels like nothing at all so sit back, don’t think to much and let the charming Neeson whisk you away to a world of deception, murder and mystery.
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