Run All Night
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Producers: Roy Lee, Michael Tadross & Brooklyn Weaver
Written: Brad Ingelsby
Ok, funny headings aside. Liam Neeson is still the action man in his 60’s but with recent news (or even a rumour) that he may give the action genre a rest it kind of either leaves us feeling down or satisfied with it. Run All Night however proves to be a surprising thriller for 2015 that shows his fans that Neeson can be awesome no matter what role, and even recover from a bad film (Taken 3).
The film aims to tell a simple chase story set around the gritty city life of Brooklyn, where a use to be hitman Jimmy Conaway (Neeson) is a grizzled, drunk and a lost soul in his world. He faces not only personal demons and regrets but the struggling relationship with his estranged son Michael (Joel Kimmerman) has put him at loss with his career. Michel is a family man, limo driver and a supporting figure in family breakdowns in his community but he refuses to see or even talk to his struggling father. However, their paths will cross and set them both on the run when a simple moment of crime gets in their way and Jimmy’s actions place them in the bullseye of Shaun (Ed Harris in his wicked best like A History of Violence) and his syndicate. Not only were Jimmy and Shaun close once as employer and employee but Jimmy’s action will test them to the ‘end of the line’.
Jaume Collet-Serra has already crafted some great thrillers such as Orphan, Unknown and Non-Stop (2 of which Neeson has starred in) but his direction and view of the story are indeed better this time round. He crafts characters that are real, action that is tense and unexpectedly emotion that conveys with the characters, such as the relationship between father and son, friends and family.
Acting range in RAN is great all round; Neeson’s character uses some of the elements that made his roles in Taken and Non-Stop so worthy and makes his role seem believable, Harris is often seen as a baddie in film and again he proves to be a king at it so easily. Kimmerman is slightly more recognisable now than before since the remake of RoboCop, showcasing his gritty attitude when hate is needed and somehow proving to the innocent one when justice is needed. Common as the contract killer Mr. Price is great and Law and Order’s Vincent plays an echoing role of his character that shows he’s not forgotten his style of character.
The staged action sequences range from fist fights, gun battles, foot chases and even a thrilling car chase, Collet-Serra crafts them all with a style that keeps us glued but indeed hooked. Shaky camera work is often used in these scenes and at times it can be annoying to see what’s going on screen but he does try to keep it clear and exciting for us. I also thought the transitions from one location to another were very stylish and it felt at times it was a one shot transition onto the next scene.
Pros:
+ Great plot with plenty of gritty, intense and sometimes emotional moments
+ Strong acting from Neeson, Harris, Kimmerman and cast + Cinematography, editing and camera work that echoes The Warriors, Running Scared, Drive and even various Charles Bronson films
+ Fist fights, gun battles and even a car chase that is all well filmed and choreographed
Cons:
- Shaky cam is used but there’s not as much or frequent as any Taken film
OVERALL:
Run All Night is a gritty, intense but well-driven action-thriller that aims higher than what the Taken films attempted to do. A great cast, story, atmosphere and pace that make this an enjoyable viewing for fans of Neeson and dark thrillers.
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Producers: Roy Lee, Michael Tadross & Brooklyn Weaver
Written: Brad Ingelsby
Ok, funny headings aside. Liam Neeson is still the action man in his 60’s but with recent news (or even a rumour) that he may give the action genre a rest it kind of either leaves us feeling down or satisfied with it. Run All Night however proves to be a surprising thriller for 2015 that shows his fans that Neeson can be awesome no matter what role, and even recover from a bad film (Taken 3).
The film aims to tell a simple chase story set around the gritty city life of Brooklyn, where a use to be hitman Jimmy Conaway (Neeson) is a grizzled, drunk and a lost soul in his world. He faces not only personal demons and regrets but the struggling relationship with his estranged son Michael (Joel Kimmerman) has put him at loss with his career. Michel is a family man, limo driver and a supporting figure in family breakdowns in his community but he refuses to see or even talk to his struggling father. However, their paths will cross and set them both on the run when a simple moment of crime gets in their way and Jimmy’s actions place them in the bullseye of Shaun (Ed Harris in his wicked best like A History of Violence) and his syndicate. Not only were Jimmy and Shaun close once as employer and employee but Jimmy’s action will test them to the ‘end of the line’.
Jaume Collet-Serra has already crafted some great thrillers such as Orphan, Unknown and Non-Stop (2 of which Neeson has starred in) but his direction and view of the story are indeed better this time round. He crafts characters that are real, action that is tense and unexpectedly emotion that conveys with the characters, such as the relationship between father and son, friends and family.
Acting range in RAN is great all round; Neeson’s character uses some of the elements that made his roles in Taken and Non-Stop so worthy and makes his role seem believable, Harris is often seen as a baddie in film and again he proves to be a king at it so easily. Kimmerman is slightly more recognisable now than before since the remake of RoboCop, showcasing his gritty attitude when hate is needed and somehow proving to the innocent one when justice is needed. Common as the contract killer Mr. Price is great and Law and Order’s Vincent plays an echoing role of his character that shows he’s not forgotten his style of character.
The staged action sequences range from fist fights, gun battles, foot chases and even a thrilling car chase, Collet-Serra crafts them all with a style that keeps us glued but indeed hooked. Shaky camera work is often used in these scenes and at times it can be annoying to see what’s going on screen but he does try to keep it clear and exciting for us. I also thought the transitions from one location to another were very stylish and it felt at times it was a one shot transition onto the next scene.
Pros:
+ Great plot with plenty of gritty, intense and sometimes emotional moments
+ Strong acting from Neeson, Harris, Kimmerman and cast + Cinematography, editing and camera work that echoes The Warriors, Running Scared, Drive and even various Charles Bronson films
+ Fist fights, gun battles and even a car chase that is all well filmed and choreographed
Cons:
- Shaky cam is used but there’s not as much or frequent as any Taken film
OVERALL:
Run All Night is a gritty, intense but well-driven action-thriller that aims higher than what the Taken films attempted to do. A great cast, story, atmosphere and pace that make this an enjoyable viewing for fans of Neeson and dark thrillers.