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If there’s one thing we’ve learned from Liam Neeson’s career as an action hero, it’s that if you ever find yourself kidnapped by international criminals or in trouble with the mob, it’s good to have a dad who carries a gun and isn’t afraid to use it to protect those he loves. In Run All Night, Neeson once again plays a determined dad who will stop at nothing to protect his troubled offspring. The result is everything that you’d expect—and maybe even just a little bit more.
Run All Night stars Neeson as Jimmy Conlon, a former hit man who’s haunted by his dark past. When his estranged son, Michael (Joel Kinnaman), witnesses a murder, Jimmy’s loyalties are tested, and he’s forced to choose between his best friend and former boss, Shawn (Ed Harris), and a son who wants nothing to do with him.
In order to save Michael’s life, Jimmy ends up killing Shawn’s hot-headed son, Danny (Boyd Holbrook). And the father and son soon find themselves on the run from both cops and crooks.
Much like Denzel Washington, Liam Neeson has become a pretty reliable action star. He still has his good movies and bad, but when he’s starring in an action film, audiences know what to expect: gritty action, non-stop tension, and a lovably flawed hero. In fact, writers on Neeson’s films barely have to develop his characters—because he’s almost instantly likable. He may play a character who’s damaged and angry, but he still puts other people’s safety ahead of his own. Or, in this case, he may play a lifelong criminal who’s gotten away with murder time and time again—but the fact that the character loves his son and shows remorse for his crimes makes it all seem okay. He’s a hit man with a heart—and despite the character’s violent past, it’s impossible not to like him. Beyond that, though, Neeson is also just plain fun to watch. He may be in his 60s, but he can definitely hold his own—even when the film becomes one big, bloody free-for-all.
Meanwhile, underneath all of the action and violence, there’s a story about fathers and sons, expectations and disappointments, friendships and loyalties. The main characters may be criminals, but they have their own redeeming qualities. They’re forced to make some difficult decisions—risking lifelong relationships, freedoms, and even their own lives in the process. And, in the end, it all comes down to the old saying: “Blood is thicker than water.” Is it a bit heavy-handed? Maybe. But in the hands of such a talented cast, it doesn’t feel overdone. Instead, it helps to give the film more depth and heart than the same old brainless action movie.
It may not be an Oscar-caliber thriller, but the mix of breakneck action and family drama of Run All Night makes it another enjoyable adventure from a gifted actor turned dependable action hero. Neeson’s fans—and adrenaline junkies in general—won’t want to miss it.
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