
UNKNOWN (REVIEW)
Rated M - 113 mins
Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Frank Langella,
Bruno Ganz
The best movie around at the moment, but not to be confused
as an unofficial sequel to another recent Liam Neeson thriller, 'Taken'.
'Unknown' stands alone as a suspense filled drama, full
of mystery about a man who wakes from a coma to find his identity has
been stolen. Whilst visiting Berlin for a business summit, a car crash
in a taxi occurs and Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) finds himself in a hospital
bed days later not remembering a thing. His wife Liz, the gorgeous January
Jones of 'Mad Men' fame, doesn't even acknowledge his existence sending
Martin into a frenzy of confusion.
A lot can happen in a week when desperation kicks in.
Fragments of Martin's mind start coming together and he tracks down
the young woman who was driving the taxi when it crashed. She reluctantly
assists his endeavours around Berlin which only earmarks her for assassination
by some circling secret agents.
Not is all what it seems and Martin reaches boiling point
when the truth finally comes together. Not one, but two car chases add
to the excitement, not to mention a double standard Frank Langella skulking
around like the elderly Dracula he is. The action sequences are not
just thrilling but send the nerves into raptures with each dishevelled
recollection Martin conjures up.
Liam Neeson is brilliant, tough guy personas come naturally
to him but never over the top.
Diane Kruger backs up an excellent turn in 'Inglorious Basterds' to
be the wide eyed innocent bystander that turns gritty accomplice. Good
to see ancient maestro of German cinema, Bruno Ganz ('Wings of Desire')
show up as a Colombo style, ruffled private detective that helps Martin
unravel some sinister scary truths.
Overall, this is a tidy and taut film, with a reasonable
twist, while January Jones only has to stand still pouting in frame,
to make me sigh. A must see.
Shane
A. Bassett