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The Commuter
(Lionsgate/Studio Canal)
By Lucas Allen
Action star Liam Neeson and director Jaume Collet-Serra have made some solid action/thrillers,like “Unknown,” “Non-Stop” and “Run All Night,” that help fill in some quick-and-go entertainment for anyone needing something fast and loose. Their new film, “The Commuter” offers more of the actor’s hard-nosed excitement within a thrilling plot. If this’ll be the 65-year old’s last film as an action star as rumored, then this one should be an interesting one for him to go out on.
An ex-cop, Michael (Neeson), worked as an insurance salesman for 10 years while trying to support his wife, Karen (Elizabeth McGovern), and teenage son, Danny (Dean-Charles Chapman). He gets laid off and spends the rest of his work day at a bar with his former police partner, Alex (Patrick Wilson), contemplating explaining it to his wife. But on the way home on a commuter train, Michael meets a mysterious woman named Joanna (Vera Farmiga), who asks him a hypothetical question about human behavior.
The conversation takes a turn when she tells him there’s $25,000 hidden somewhere in the train before offering him another $75,000 if he completes one simple task. He has to identify a witness to a suicide and steal a bag containing valuable information. Although he refuses, he’s then told his wife and son will die if he doesn’t do it. With no other choice, he’ll have to find a way to complete the task before the train reaches the end of the line.
If you remember “Non-Stop,” then this movie is pretty much similar except for its train setting. While not very original, it’s still an interesting story that twists and turns at any given moment. You follow the main character all the way through dead ends until the outcome becomes crystal clear. Of the Neeson/Collet-Serra collaborations, this one has the best script, which is saying something for a January release.
As expected, there are some good action scenes, including some nicely choreographed and edited fight scenes in the train. The finale gets into typical ’90s action movie territory when the train literally goes off the rails. The CGI looks a little cartoony at times, which was distracting when movies “Speed” and “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,” used miniatures much more effectively in the ’90s. The movie then extends further in a tense final confrontation that involves the police, led by Sam Neill as the captain.
Neeson is once again in top form, making the most of the setting with his serious acting. He also shows no signs of slowing down in some intense fight scenes. It’s very odd to see “Conjuring” stars Farmiga and Wilson in the same movie, though they don’t share any scenes. Still, they’re not bad, despite both not having many scenes.
It’s the New Year, so you can expect of hodgepodge of different movies coming out in January like awards contenders or something new and random. Fortunately, “The Commuter” shouldn’t be hard to see on your radar. If exciting action is what you need, then this movie is worth your time.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for some intense action/violence and language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
