UNKNOWN
A man (Liam Neeson) wakes up from a coma while on a business trip to Europe only to find that some other man has taken his identity and stepped into his life. Diane Kruger and January Jones co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz
Release Date: Feb 18, 2011
Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sexual content
Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller
Review:
Unknown is a capable and engaging thriller that major fault is simply being overly derivate throughout. Jaume Collet-Serra gives his film a glossy sheen and directs the action and suspense with appropriate vigor even if the extent of an artist side extends to having the camera turn askew when his main character questions his situation. Truthfully, you could watch sections of this film and Neeson’s 2008 spy film Taken and never know the difference. Neeson brings the same gravel voiced gravitas he brought to his last pulp hit but with a twinge of confusion and desperation. He’s still incredibly magnetic and believable even in some of the more ridiculous sequences presented here. Diane Kruger is adequate even if her fluctuating Bosnian accent is sometime more intriguing than her character. January Jones has perfected the art of the blank stare to the point were she should consider trade marking it. Bruno Ganz has a fun supporting role which he seems to enjoy as much as the audience. Aidan Quinn and Frank Langella show up momentarily purely for nefarious reason and disappear just as quickly. The third act has a slight twist which is bit of let down because it can’t even be called derivative anymore as it’s closer to plagiarism of another recent spy franchise. Still, if you can get past how everything reminds you of something else you’ll be moderately entertained, mainly by Mr. Neeson’s bravado.
C
