RUN ALL NIGHT  3.0 ***

 

              “RUN ALL NIGHT” is another return to a form of sub-genre we’ll  call "LIAM NEESON ACTION FLICKS". Going into it I expected it to be a  reasonably entertaining action movie but nothing more. But ”Run All Night” turned out to be an exciting mob drama with a simple but effective plot, solid  acting and enough action to satisfy most anyone.   Set in NYC, Neeson stars as a low level aged-out hard drinking ex-mob hit-man Jimmy Conlon who works for his childhood friend, mob boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris). A violent, random, encounter between their two sons puts these two old friends on opposite sides –much  mayhem ensues.

 

 What helps to elevates this flick  from just another Neeson action film is the emphasis on the effects crime has on family members, from Jimmy, who is suffering depression about all the people he has assassinated, to all the collateral damage his immediate family has suffered.
Yes, I'm perhaps making more out of this thriller than it may deserve, but at this time of year, I'm pleased with a few well-chosen words and a story I can identify with—family, family, it's all about the family. And I  enjoyed the cinematography, especially the sweeping camera shots starting high above the beautiful city  and then swooping in to a given location and vide-versa .  

        The movie has a compelling story that makes for an entertaining thrill ride including some bloody gunfights, car chases and brutal fist fights. Liam Neeson stands out as always and he makes you root for him even though his character has done awful things in the past. You want to see him  gun through the streets of NYC, kicking ass and delivering old style justice to the bad guys! The supporting  cast is quite good as well, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnamen,as the estranged son of Neeson, and even rapper Common as the rival Hit-man, all provide solid performances. Overall, one of the better Liam Neeson action films to have come out lately.  If you want a thrilling popcorn film to keep you entertained for a couple of hours at the movie or at home, check it out.

 

Rated “R” for strong violence, language including sexual references, and some drug use.

 

Clark