By Kyle Osborne
We abhor violence and murder and deadly car chases in real life. Of course we do. But put those elements in a cinematic context and you’re talking about important components of some of the greatest films in American history.
‘Run All Night’ isn’t even close to being among the classic films that just sprang to mind when you read the preceding paragraph. But it does a damn good job of giving the viewer thrilling car chases, satisfying violence, and a rough and tumble New York story that feels competently executed. There’s a craftsman-like quality to the proceedings. This is not a bad movie.
Liam Neeson and Ed Harris are old friends who go way back to childhood. Now in their nearly-retirement age years, Harris has become a successful Don (or whatever the Irish word is for “Don”) in the boroughs across the bridges, while Neeson has become an alcoholic whose past career as a hit-man represents the best he could ever do, professionally speaking. These days he’s reduced to flunky chores for Harris.
Not giving anything away that’s not in the trailer, but Harris’s jerk of a son is just about to kill the noble, hard-working son of Neeson, when Liam shows up just in time to kill the jerk son first. So he has saved his (by the way, estranged) son’s life. But now Ed Harris can only do one thing–kill Neeson and his son. Oh, this isn’t pretty.
But, Neeson, as movie goers know, will always, always dig deep for his inherent decency and do the right thing. And so, true to the title, he and son will evade cops and bad guys and try to stay alive through the course of the night.
The same Director who helmed ‘Non-Stop’, another decent thriller with Neeson, usesl some cool visual effects to show us where we are within the Big Apple, and where we’re going, as we run from the bad guys with our two protagonists.
By the film’s conclusion, I doubt that you’ll think it’s the most original movie you’ve ever seen, but for this time of year, post holidays, pre-summer, this is pretty good Saturday night entertainment with a great cast and a director who knows how to tell a story.
‘Run All Night’ Gets 3 Out of 4 Stars. Strong ‘R’ rating.