“Unknown” (2011)

place and thatmystifying ambiance disintegrates quickly. And once the plot twistreveals itself, it’s officially time to shut your brain off andrealize that the movie has become just another generic action flickwith little regard for details. That’s what separates an AlfredHitchcock from a Jaume Collet-Serra, the ability to have every momentof the film have some sort of significance and for the viewer to puton their detective caps and feel like they are solving the mysteryalong with the protagonist.“I suppose if I had suggested Liam Neeson Day, you’d all be patting meon the back,” -  George Costanza 1994. When you’re being mentioned onSeinfeld, and there is a talk of having a promotional event at YankeeStadium named after you, you know you’re a big deal. However this is2011 and that big deal status has come and gone for Liam Neeson.Nowadays the hulking, middle-aged, Neeson resembles more of a RobertBarone with better hair and a cooler accent.  Yet don’t tell that tothe casting directors of “Unknown”, because apparently they stillthink it’s the 90’s and Neeson is still king. However, “Unknown” showsus that this is not the case. Watching Liam Neeson in “Unknown” waslike watching Brett Favre with the Vikings this past season. Bothlooked like past their prime stars who were just trying to dosomething that just wasn’t working anymore. Neeson was trying toregain that magic that worked so well for him in “Taken”, but it wasnot to be found. Instead of being inspired by our “Unknown”protagonist, we couldn’t help but to pity Neeson for trying to playthis superhero, do-it-all man. Neeson’s performance lacks thecaptivating suaveness of a Cary Grant and the reassuring poise of aJimmy Stewart. He tackles this role with a 24/7 sense of urgency thatjust makes it look to the audience like he’s trying too hard.Aside from Neeson’s subpar performance, January Jones is probably thebiggest disappointment that this film has to offer. She has very fewlines and the lines she does have, just aren’t performed very well.The “Mad Men” star leaves much to be desired and one has to wonderwhether she has what it takes to reach leading lady status on the bigscreen.  That being said, a major bright spot in this film was thepresence of Frank Langella, who despite being severely underutilized,shines as a cold-hearted no-nonsense enforcer.All in all this is a pretty run of the mill action movie that hardlyleaves a lasting impression on the viewer and can best be saved forDVD release in six months.‬
 
Brett: 1.5 Stars
Drew: 2 Stars
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