It’s no wonder that the writers are on strike. Being forced to constantly breathe life into tired ideas just to secure some studio work must be incredibly frustrating. If I were in their shoes, I would be picketing Lionsgate (the studio behind this movie) because let’s face it, making something truly original is no easy task. The latest installment in this trend of unoriginality is the Liam Neeson-starring film, “Retribution.” Although, a more fitting title might be “Generic Neeson #9.” I even had to double-check on IMDb to make sure this wasn’t just another recycled Neeson movie.
Now, I’m not saying that “Retribution” isn’t well-made. Director Nimród Antal, known for his work on “Control,” does his best to keep the pace moving with some expertly crafted explosions. It’s just disheartening to see the talented Liam Neeson, at 71 years old, continuously taking on these paycheck jobs.
In this Neeson vehicle, he plays Matt Turner, a businessman based in Berlin who seems more focused on his work than his family, especially his frustrated wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz). After being guilted into taking his daughter Emily (Lilly Aspell) to school, things take a turn for the worse when a disembodied voice, reminiscent of the Jigsaw character from “Saw,” orders him to follow instructions or else a bomb in his car will explode. The kids, initially oblivious to the danger, soon realize the severity of the situation when their father tells them to stay put or risk blowing up. The most painful moment for them is when their beloved iPhones are thrown out the window.
The movie then becomes a series of instructions leading to an attempt by a mystery man to secure a fortune that Matt seems to know more about than he lets on. Is Neeson playing a shady character this time? The tension builds, especially when he is ordered to shoot his business associate, Anders (Matthew Modine), as part of the plan. Despite its relatively short 91-minute runtime, the film starts to feel long due to the overused gimmick that we’ve seen in countless other movies.
Think back to the godfather of this subgenre, the 1994 film “Speed” starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Add in Tom Hardy’s “Locke,” Halle Berry’s “Kidnap,” Naomi Watts’ “The Desperate Hour,” Russell Crowe’s “Unhinged,” Jake Gyllenhaal’s two Danish remakes “The Guilty” and “Ambulance,” and Colin Farrell’s “Phone Booth.” For me, “Phone Booth” is the most imitated of them all. “Retribution” falls into the category of a typical late-August cash grab, but I won’t spoil any more in case you’re in need of your latest Neeson action fix. The actor delivers his performance with his usual intensity and angry scowls, mixed with a fatherly fear for what lies ahead. Norma Dumzweni adds credibility to the film as Europoc Agent Angela Brickman, determined to save the day. It’s frustrating for fans of these talented veteran actors to see a 30-year reunion of Neeson and Davidtz, who previously starred together in “Schindler’s List,” now stuck in such familiar popcorn fare.
“Retribution” is produced by Andrew Rona, Alex Heineman, Jaume Collett-Serra, and Juan Sola. Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will release the film in theaters on August 25, 2023.
Title: Retribution
Distributor: Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions
Release date: August 25, 2023
Director: Nimród Antal
Screenwriter: Christopher Salmanpour
Cast: Liam Neeson, Embeth Davidtz, Jack Champion, Lilly Aspell, Matthew Modine, Norma Dumezweni
Rating: R
Running time: 1 hr 31 min
