Liam Neeson films virtually write themselves nowadays.
For good parts of “Blacklight,” it seems that’s precisely what occurred.
Formulaic to a flaw, the movie exists for Neeson completists solely, or these pining for a “Taken”-like reprise. It’s one other instance of the star’s “specific set expertise” in lazy, predictable movement. He’s large, sturdy and keen to dish out the punishment as wanted.
The remainder? Simply fill within the blanks. That’s what the artistic staff behind the movie did.
Neeson performs Travis Block, a thriller man who rescues FBI brokers after they go too deep underneath cowl. He’s a fixer, like Ray Donovan, with a faintly described OCD and a knack for scaring his granddaughter.
“Examine the playground perimeter, sweetheart!”
The opening sequence finds Travis aiding an agent captured by white supremacists – full with the Accomplice flag! Too dangerous Travis ignores two law enforcement officials who had been equally in peril.
Screenwriters Mark Williams and Nick Might aren’t within the “sweating particulars” enterprise, and it reveals.
The true story entails a charismatic younger politician – suppose Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sans the phrase salad – dying underneath mysterious circumstances.
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FBI Agent Dusty (Taylor John Smith, “The Outpost”) is aware of one thing in regards to the matter. It’s as much as Travis to assist Dusty open up, which at one level entails chasing him throughout city as he speeds away in a rubbish truck. The absurd sequence reveals off the movie’s pedestrian stunt efforts and air of desperation.
We’re a good distance from 2008’s “Taken” and its slick motion beats.
A neighborhood journalist (Emmy Raver-Lampman) would possibly assist unlock the movie’s thriller, however her editor retains discouraging her from connecting any dots. If journalism is lifeless and buried, this man is holding the shovel.
Liam Neeson channels Zoolander together with his Blue Metal and Magnum impressions! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/xLPvQyemOe
— The Tonight Present (@FallonTonight) February 2, 2022
“Blacklight” comes off like a ‘90s motion thriller up to date with a couple of new buzzwords (“clickbait” headlines, for instance). The movie has little connection to the true world, from fashionable journalism to its progressive heroine.
The quasi-AOC trumpets the First Modification throughout a stump speech … see what we imply?
The forged doesn’t give Neeson a lot assist, even Aidan Quinn’s character is so inventory, so unremarkable what he’s going to say earlier than he can open his mouth.
That leaves a black and white thriller, a dearth of cool motion scenes and tin-eared dialogue that should have made Neeson wince between takes. The “Schindler’s Checklist” star is simply too good for this, however he merely can’t flip down these starring autos, apparently. At the very least final yr’s “The Ice Highway” delivered a singular setting and a few harrowing truck sequences.
There’s nothing remotely recent on show right here.
“Blacklight” ends with such a whimper you’d suppose the forged and crew simply shrugged, figuring out Neeson was due on set for his subsequent generic thriller.
Williams, who beforehand teamed with Neeson on 2020’s forgettable “Trustworthy Thief,” can’t elevate the challenge past your common TV cop drama. Some moments ship unplanned laughter, whereas the usage of repetitive phrasing to hammer residence plot factors deserves each snicker it generates.
At this fee we’d fairly see a fourth “Taken” film. At the very least that franchise boasts some thrilling DNA in its previous.
HiT or Miss: “Blacklight” is lower-tier Neeson, that means the one purpose to stay round is to see a wonderful actor going by the motions.
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