While driving with his two kids, a man receives a phone call from an unknown assailant who claims there is a bomb in the car. Unable to exit the vehicle, he must now follow a series of twisted instructions while trying to figure out how to survive. At 71 years old, Liam Neeson has somehow managed to become a reoccurring action movie star in these economical, lower budget projects. The man went from the incredibly underrated Darkman film by Sam Raimi to breaking out into the mainstream action spotlight in 2008’s Taken to going on a string of formulaic yet entertaining action thrillers most notably with director/producer Jaume Collet-Serra. Serra doesn’t direct Retribution but is instead a producer this time around. In his place is Hungarian action filmmaker Nimród Antal (Predators 2010) to direct this newest thriller. Let me make something quite clear, as I did in my review of Meg 2. You have to know what you’re getting into with this movie.
Firstly, the movie benefits from a fairly simple and straightforward premise that gets right to the gist of it. Liam Neeson’s character Matt Turner is a wealthy banker, husband, and father of two. Matt is always busy with work and never has time to spend with his family. Unlike Neeson’s other action based roles, his character here isn’t some type of hitman or ex military, and this allows the 71 year old actor to really tap into a sense of vulnerability that we rarely see from him. Matt isn’t some indestructible old man who can shoot his way out of the predicament he’s in and this gives way for Neeson to shine as someone who’s stuck in a car for nearly 85 minutes. Of course, the tension is heightened once his two kids Emily and Zack played by Lilly Aspell and Jack Champion respectively slowly become aware of the threat. Both the young actors do a fine job, as the older brother Zach goes from being an asshole to his sister to quickly adapting to the dire circumstances and becoming more protective and compassionate towards Emily and his father. Again, it’s these very simple and straight to the point personal stakes that make for an effectively quick and breezy 90 minutes.
I won’t go into the specifics of the mysterious caller who gives Matt the orders, but there are several nail biting situations involving Matt having to make seemingly impossible decisions or else, you know, kaboom. There are solid supporting performances from Noma Dumezweni’s policewoman character and Matthew Modine who plays Matt’s best friend. The script is ridden with genre clichés and the third act twist can be called from a mile away, but I couldn’t help but be swept up in the suspense of it all. There are also some fundamental plot elements that aren’t properly explained and certain motives surrounding the mysterious villain that are unclear, even when revealed. It’s one of those movies that can be nitpicked apart from a logic standpoint but it’s also just undeniably engaging from a “turn your brain off” entertainment perspective. You don’t need to rush out and see it opening weekend, however, this is what I would call the ideal matinee/rent it recommendation, perfect for a rainy day-like viewing scenario. Overall, Retribution may be riddled with contrivances, but it’s a tightly budgeted hostage thriller that adequately utilizes its simple premise to make for a mildly diverting and simultaneously disposable Liam Neeson affair.
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