The Commuter Review

"The Commuter" was another Liam Neeson classic: it had plenty of action, drama, fireworks, and 100% Liam Neeson. It definitely isn't the greatest film ever made, but it's a fun non-stop action ride that leaves viewers on the edge of their seat the entire time. In short this is the epitome of what a Liam Neeson film is nowadays. Some people lament the fact that Liam Neeson has been playing the same kind of character for years: a badass (the only thing that changes is whether or not he's a hero or villain). For example, in Batman Begins he was the main antagonist, but he was still a badass. He was even able to throw around Batman around like a ragdoll multiple times in that movie. Not even Heath Ledger's Joker was that much of a physical threat. The Joker was a major psychological terrorist, but Batman could easily physically kick the crap out of him (once he got his hands on the Joker). But as stated before, many people are sad that this is all Liam Neeson does. While I do agree that Neeson does have a tremendous range as an actor, and that he can do so much more, it might be ill-suited for him to do so. Liam Neeson really is the epitome of a badass: he's physically intimidating and he has an awesome gruff voice. Why would he want to be anything else?

But just putting that aside for a moment, what makes this movie worth seeing? In my opinion it's the suspense. Spoiler Alert - if you don't want to hear anything about what happens in the movie, do not read any further! We find out at the start of the film that Liam Neeson is a struggling family man who commutes to work everyday. Like most people he has to worry about various finances. He has to worry about how he's going to provide food for his family and send his son to college. Unfortunately, early on in the movie he gets fired from his job. On his way home, as he's in a state of sadness, a woman approaches him and asks him this: "What if I were to tell you there's somebody who doesn't belong on this train. You'll get up to 100,000 dollars if you find this person and kill them." I paraphrased this sequence slightly, but that was the main gist of it. At first Liam Neeson thinks she's just lying, and that it was nothing more than a strange encounter with a woman on his way home from work. However, his curiosity gets the better of him and he checks the bathroom where the woman said the money was hidden. He finds the first 25 grand in the bathroom just like the woman had promised. Now he knows he's playing a very dangerous game!

There were many twists and turns in the movie. You never quite know who he's supposed to find. The woman left him a few clues - such as the stop the person is supposed to get off at - but we have to keep guessing right along with Neeson. I'm pleased to say that in the very end Liam Neeson kicks the asses of all the bad guys and he doesn't cause harm to the person he was supposed to find. In fact, he actually saves their life and learns that they were a witness in another murder (which is the reason why this person was being targeted). Liam Neeson acts very honorably in this movie. It made me feel good to watch this. Liam Neeson was noble the entire time. This movie was no "Gone With The Wind," but it did have Liam Neeson - and quite frankly, what more could anybody want?!