Liam Neeson's Action Movie Marathon - Taken, The A-Team, Unknown & The Grey

With the upcoming release of Liam Neeson's next action film, Non-Stop about an air marshal who receives messages that a passenger will die if he does not follow a set of orders, I look back at the somewhat shift in his career as he takes the lead in a string of action thrillers where he must battle against the odds. For any other respected actor, this might usually be the start of a downward spiral into the madness of straight-to-DVD action flicks (I'm looking at you Nic Cage), but Neeson continues to deliver great performances each time, and the films aren't that bad either.

Putting aside the awful Battleship, and Taken 2 which I haven't seen, I start with Pierre Moral's Taken, the film that started it all. Simple in premise and execution, the film was a surprise hit, delivering balls-to-the-wall action that was both brutal and exciting in equal measure as Neeson went in search of his kidnapped daughter. The set up of a divorced father trying to spend time with his teenage daughter who's quickly growing up while the ex-wife doesn't like having him around is your typical movie cliche, but it's through this simplicity in its direction that stops the film from falling over itself and allows for the story to move forward with ease.

Any fans of action films who have not seen this should definitely check this one out. The action throughout is varied and exciting from car chases, shoot outs to knife fights - it all sounds familiar but with Neeson in the driving seat, Taken is certainly one fine film that stands out in its genre.

Changing in gear from the grim and gritty world of human trafficking in Taken, Joe Carnahan's remake of the iconic TV series, The A-Team starred Neeson as Hannibal, alongside Bradley Cooper and Sharlto Copley. The action this time around was bright and breezy as the team are betrayed and must work against the CIA to track down an important MacGuffin etc etc. Yep, the plot in this one is not entirely original but Carnahan wisely focuses on the team themselves and creating some pretty fun action set-pieces.

While ridiculous at times - particularly as they use a tank to shoot down drones while mid-air attached to parachutes - the film knows what it is and plays to that. "I love it when a plan comes together" is often said, and is reflective that the director has tried to keep that action exciting and well choreographed to ensure that there are some brains behind each sequence. It is these moments where the heroes plan each step to out-do the bad guys that keeps things fresh, along with some pretty funny moments too.

Again Neeson remains a solid member to rely upon, but it is the charisma between the team that really elevates this film. Unfortunately any plans of a sequel were forfeit due to poor box office returns, which is a shame as there was further potential with this cast and crew to go on to try bigger and better things. Nonetheless, The A-Team is a solid and very entertaining action film that shouldn't be avoided if it catches your interest.

More Bourne than Taken, Jaume Collet-Serra's Unknown pitched Neeson as a doctor attending an important event where he winds up in an accident resulting in a coma. Returning to his wife, she has no knowledge of him, with her husband standing next to her. What's happened? Who is he? Who am I?! Those are the questions thrown around in this enjoyable, if somewhat lacklustre film. The change of pace works well for Neeson, who plays the damaged, sensitive role very well, as do supporting cast members Diane Kruger and January Jones, and for the most part, this is generally a solid film to watch.

However, as things start to unfold, it isn't quite as smooth as it should have been, leaving you with a few questions that aren't entirely solved to satisfaction. That said, Unknown is still very entertaining, and as with Taken, the whole premise of one man fighting to find out what is going on (as also seen in Enemy of the State), is as engaging as ever, but doesn't necessarily warrant a second viewing.

Moving on we go full circle back to Neeson's darker side as he reunites with Carnahan for The Grey. Initially advertised as Neeson vs. wolves, the film was met by mixed reviews as it failed to deliver on that premise. However, over time, the film started to gain praise from audiences who took the film for what it is; an uncompromising depiction of survival in the toughest conditions. Not exactly a barrel of laughs when compared to The A-Team, but certainly a film that showcased Neeson's talents as an actor for anyone who had thought he'd given up.

Tasked with leading six oil workers who survive a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness to safety, Neeson plays a skilled huntsman whose job is to keep workers safe. With low moral, the group must stick together in order to survive, but things aren't so simple with egos that must be tamed and a pack of wolves intent on killing them. The film has a very raw and brutal feel, that is expertly crafted by Carnahan as he develops each character to full effect. Visually the film is fantastic as it puts you within the character's shoes, and since they filmed in freezing conditions, it feels all the more real.

Without a doubt, The Grey is certainly the toughest of the four films, but is well worth checking out. Neeson delivers a powerhouse performance in the damaged role, as layers are taken away from him, piece by piece. Supporting cast members may not be recognisable but certainly manage to keep up with the man himself, ensuring there are no weak links among the armour. Steering clear of spoilers, The Grey should be seen by both fans of the actor and of the genre. If you are interested, avoid trailers as your in for a wild ride that'll pack a surprising emotional punch.

While I admittedly don't expect great things from Non-Stop as a whole, Neeson has certainly proven his range in a huge variety of roles from his Oscar nominated performance in Schindler's List, his mentor roles in Star Wars and Batman Begins, to the cigar chomping Hannibal in The A-Team. Amidst the entertaining action films, hopefully we'll see more performances similar to The Grey that allow him to continue his impressive filmography.