'Run All Night' is the latest action movie from Director Jaume Collett-Serra and stars action movie heavy weights Liam Neeson and Ed Harris. It is the third consecutive movie from the Director with Neeson also starring in 'Unknown' and 'Non-Stop'.
Set almost entirely at night 'Run All Night' is a nail-biting action movie that sees aging hitman and mobster, Jimmy Conlon, thrown into a life and death choice as his estranged son Mike (Joel Kinnaman) witnesses a brutal mob execution. Jimmy is a down-on-his luck hitman that the viewer can only empathise with and now he must choose sides, shun past loyalties and take on his old mob boss Shaun Maguire (Ed Harris) after he slays Shawn's son Danny (Boyd Holbrook). We see his vulnerable side as he steers his son clear from following in his footsteps and protects him from the killers that hunt him. Mike struggles with wanting to hate and punish him for being an absent father, but he also needs him to survive the revenge promise and price that is on his head.
What ensues is a night of outwitting former colleagues sent to kill them, running from the police and keeping Mike alive so that Shaun cannot exact revenge. It’s a battle of wills between the former allies who promise each other in the end “We cross that line together” and inadvertently they try as hard as they can to stick to that pact. Upping the ante is cold professional killer Mr. Price (Common) stalks them and these two clearly have a fight on their hands with him; as well an arch nemesis in the form of an aging Detective Harding (Vincent D'Onofrio) wanting Jimmy to confess to all his past sins, so they really do have it coming at them from every corner of New York.
'Run All Night' is dark and gritty and pretty much what can be expected of a Liam Neeson action movie. Neeson has the brilliant ability to really be imposing on screen and this is probably why his late in life turn as an action hero has been so successful, he really knows how to command the screen.
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The main difference with this role is this time he plays a somewhat flawed human trying to make amends for past mistakes and redeem himself before it is too late. He must sacrifice himself so that his son may live. Themes of death, regret and redemption juxtaposed throughout the film adding to the heavy context.
There are some clever camera angles throughout as the movie glides from location to location showing off the city of New York. While the story line leans toward being a little predictable at times, there are a few surprises that leave the viewer gasping in shock. It is definitely an enjoyable ride and yet another Neeson movie that will please audiences.
'Run All Night' is in cinemas 19 March.
