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Trust Weighted
Good
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83Trust Points
Wick's Review
Summary - Good 3.0
As Liam Neeson movies go, Unknown is a bit sub-par. It bears a resemblance to the Taken duo in that he’s an American on the run from and after bad guys in a European capital, but its plot is way more mysterious. Too mysterious, even though it reveals itself towards the end in a way that is defensible, if too wacky.
Acting - Good 3.0
Liam Neeson has perfected the art of playing a normal guy who just happens to have Bond-like deadly skills. Still, he’s got charisma and his reputation now precedes him, making him fun to ride along with.
His strong supporting cast includes.
- January Jones fails to impress as his icy blond wife. That act works fine as Betty Draper on Mad Men, but is starting to look like a one trick pony.
- Speaking of gorgeous blonds, Diane Kruger plays down her beauty as a courageous taxi driver. Well done.
- Aidan Quinn impresses in a small role as a man of mystery.
- Bruno Ganz really impresses as a former Stasi agent now trying to earn an honest living. Such a strong performance shouldn’t be surprising from the actor who inhabited Hitler in Downfall.
- Frank Langella always impresses. Pity his role isn’t bigger.
- Sebastian Koch also impresses as an altruistic scientist. Koch memorably starred in one of the best German movies of recent years, The Lives of Others.
Male Stars - Very Good 3.5
Female Stars - Good 3.0
Female Costars - OK 2.5
Male Costars - Great 4.0
Film - Good 3.0
The story probably worked better in the source novel than it does on screen.