“Run All Night” is the fourth action/thriller starring Liam Neeson to be released in the last 13 months. Jaume-Collet Serra directed Neeson 2011’s underrated gem “Unknown” and last year’s “Non-Stop”. Both of those films provided intrigue, suspense and engaging storylines worthy of your full attention from the first frame to the last.
“Run All Night” is clearly the weakest of Serra’s three collaborations with Neeson. The story, which is given away in the commercials and trailers, is played in a straightforward and unspectacular fashion. It’s not a dull action film, but it doesn’t provide the bite it should considering the star-power and resumes.
As it turns out “Run All Night” would’ve worked better had the main focus been the confrontation between old best friends turned bitter enemies – Jimmy Conlon (played by Neeson) and Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris). Their scenes together, including a pivotal one in an NYC restaurant, provide the tension and satisfaction that’s lacking everywhere else.
But, instead, the main story centers on Jimmy’s fractured relationship with his son Mike. “RoboCop”‘s Joel Kinnaman doesn’t provide much screen presence opposite Neeson. 99% of “Run All Night” takes place over the course of 16 hours, and it feels like it, especially in the first half. We spend an evening with Jimmy & Mike as they attempt to outrun Shawn and his henchmen, along with Detective Harding (a very good Vincent D’Onofrio) and the NYPD. Interestingly, most of “running” done on this night is via driving, not actual running.
The main supporting character in the mix is a hitman played by Common. I was expecting this guy to have some more layers, but a scene in which he and Neeson duke it out in a burning apartment complex is pretty entertaining. And, there’s an uncredited cameo from a veteran Oscar-nominated actor late in the film that provides a little spark.
“Run All Night” is strong in the second half, but really needed a couple of legitimate twists to elevate the all-too-simple script. Neeson does his best to convince us he’s a bad guy, but I kept waiting for him, at some point, to save everybody. I guess I’ll have to wait until his next action role for that. Chances are I won’t have to wait very long.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Run All Night” gets a C+.
Running Time: 114 min.