Liam Neeson stars in The Marksman
Hey There Stranger
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: Hardened Arizona rancher Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) simply wants to be left alone as he fends off eviction notices and tries to make a living on an isolated stretch of borderland. But everything changes when Hanson, an ex-Marine sharpshooter, witnesses 11-year-old migrant Miguel (Jacob Perez) fleeing with his mother Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) from drug cartel assassins led by the ruthless Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba). After being caught in a shoot-out, a dying Rosa begs Jim to take her son to safety to her family in Chicago. Defying his cop daughter Sarah (Katheryn Winnick), Jim sneaks Miguel out of the local U.S. Customs and Border Patrol station and together, they hit the road with the group of killers in pursuit. Jim and Miguel slowly begin to overcome their differences and begin to forge an unlikely friendship, while Mauricio and his fellow assassins blaze a cold-blooded trail, hot on their heels. When they finally meet on a Midwestern farm, a fight to the death ensues as Jim uses his military skills and code of honor to defend the boy he's come to love. Directed by Robert Lorenz.
Starring: Liam Neeson, Helena Zengel, Katheryn Winnick, Juan Pablo Raba, Teresa Ruiz and Jacob Perez.
What's Good: Neeson, of course. He "doesn't scare easy," and proves (once again) he can still duke it out/kill with the best of 'em. Few actors his age have that it factor, but bless his Irish heart, Neeson does. As for the rest of the movie? Keep expectations low, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Recycled material notwithstanding, it's very watchable.
What's Not: The Marksman is marred with cliches (bank foreclosure, kid in distress, etc.) but did you really expect something new and shiny? Besides, Neeson's target audience (see below) wants to see him kick ass (and not much else.) Mission accomplished (with a dash of sentimentality.)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Target Audience: Seriously? If you have to ask...
Bottom Line: It's relatively light on action (until the end) but Neeson keeps things humming along while staying two steps ahead of the bad guys. Jim & Miguel share a few tender moments too, a welcome change from the usual lone wolf Neeson portrays. All in all, pretty darn good.
Grade: B (I'm a sucker for anything with Neeson (even The Phantom Menace has its moments) so don't act too surprised.)
