Film review: Run All Night (15)

Can we all agree that Liam Neeson pretty much has his own genre now?

Ever since Taken back in 2008, Neeson has become the best in the business at portraying the ageing bad-ass with a heart of gold.

With that in mind, Run All Night ticks all of the boxes for one of his recent films. His character Jimmy Conlon is a veteran hitman (check), racks up a big body (check), does everything he can to protect his family (check) and, of course, makes a threatening phone call or two (check).

We find Jimmy in a pretty bad place. Washed up and drunk, he seems to have little to live for.

That all changes when a chain of events leave his estranged son Mike (Joel Kinnaman – RoboCop) in the crosshairs of his best pal and former boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris – The Rock).

Having not seen each other for five years, this forces Jimmy and Mike to come together for one night in a bid to keep themselves and their family alive.

It’s a pretty simple formula – Shawn dispatches his goons to take down the pair, which provides Neeson’s Jimmy with ample opportunity to rediscover his trademark skillset.

Among those sent to track down the pair is Andrew Price (Common – Now You See Me), who is something of a master assassin.

Aside from the complicated, but engaging, relationships between Jimmy and both Mike and Shawn, I enjoyed the scenes involving Price the most.

One, which plays out in a burning block of apartments, is a real highlight.

If you’re growing tired of Neeson in this kind of role, then there’s probably nothing here for you that will massively change your mind.

There really isn’t anything overly original or different about Run All Night that makes it stand out from an increasingly busy crowd.

But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it. Neeson – as mentioned above – plays this role better than anyone else.

While you’ll initially find it hard to root for Jimmy, that’ll probably change when director Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop) adds a few layers to his character.

Equally, it’s always great to see Ed Harris as something of a regretful bad guy. Much like the 1996 classic The Rock (which remains one of my all-time favourites), he’s expertly cast here.

If you need your action fix, Run All Night has enough to quench your thirst – just don’t expect a masterpiece.

Voice Verdict: 7/10 (watched at West End Cinema, Boston)
+ Vintage Liam Neeson action
+ Interesting characters
– Brings nothing new to the table

Showtimes at West End Cinema, Boston (Friday, March 20 to Thursday, March 26)
Box office: 01205 363634
Web: www.westendcinema.co.uk/SavoyBoston

EVENT CINEMA/LIVE EVENTS

SHOWBOAT
2.30pm (Sun)

HAMLET
7.45pm (Mon)

A VIEW FROM A BRIDGE
7pm (Thurs)

FILMS SHOWING

**SPONGEBOB: A SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3D (U)
Noon (Sat/Sun), 4.20pm (Sat/Sun)

**SPONGEBOB: A SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2D (U)
2.15pm (Sat/Sun), 6.30pm (Sat/Sun)

**GUNMAN (15)
1pm (Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (daily), 8.35pm (daily)

**INSURGENT 3D (12A)
3pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.40pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

**INSURGENT 2D (12A)
12.20pm (Sat/Sun/Wed)

**HOME 3D (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 6.30pm (daily)

**HOME 2D (U)
Noon (Sat/Sun), 4.20pm (daily)

RUN ALL NIGHT (15)
5pm (Mon), 6pm (Fri/Tues/Wed), 8.45pm (not Mon)

THE SECOND BEST MARIGOLD HOTEL (PG)
2.45pm (Fri/Sat/Wed), 5.30pm (daily), 8.15pm (not Thurs)

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (18)
2.45pm (Fri/Wed), 8.35pm (daily)

SHAUN THE SHEEP (U)
10am (Sat/Sun)

BIG HERO 6 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun)

KIDS CLUB
Sat & Sun 10.30am – Penguins of Madagascar (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Run All Night (15)

**denotes free list suspended