Liam Neeson is no stranger to action thrillers, having starred in several films of the genre since his breakout role in Taken (2008). In Retribution, he plays Matt Turner, a bank executive who receives a bomb threat while driving his children to school. The caller, who claims to be a victim of Matt’s fraudulent schemes, demands that Matt follows a series of tasks or else the car will explode. What follows is a nail-biting race against time, as Matt tries to save himself and his family from a deadly fate.
Plot
The film opens with Matt Turner (Liam Neeson) leaving his luxurious home with his two children, Emily (Lilly Aspell) and Zach (Jack Champion), to drop them off at school. He is a successful and wealthy banker, who has recently been promoted to a senior position. However, his life is about to take a drastic turn when he receives a phone call from a mysterious voice (Arian Moayed), who informs him that there is a bomb under his car seat. The caller accuses Matt of ruining his life by stealing his money and causing his wife’s death. He demands that Matt follows his instructions or he will detonate the bomb.
The caller’s first task is to transfer a large sum of money from his bank account to an offshore one. Matt reluctantly complies, hoping that it will be the end of the ordeal. However, the caller has more plans for him, and forces him to drive around the city, avoiding the police and other obstacles. Along the way, Matt learns more about the caller’s identity and motives, and realizes that he is not the only one involved in the scheme. He also tries to contact his wife, Heather (Embeth Davidtz), who works as a lawyer, and his colleague, Angela Brickmann (Noma Dumezweni), who may have some clues about the situation.
As the film progresses, the stakes get higher and the tasks get more dangerous. Matt has to face not only the threat of the bomb, but also the consequences of his actions and the secrets he has been hiding. He has to make some tough choices and sacrifices, while trying to protect his children and redeem himself. Will he be able to outsmart the caller and survive the ordeal? Or will he pay the ultimate price for his retribution?
Performances
Liam Neeson delivers another solid performance as the protagonist, Matt Turner. He portrays the character’s fear, desperation, anger, and guilt convincingly, making the audience empathize with his plight. He also showcases his physical skills in some intense action sequences, such as car chases, shootouts, and fistfights. Liam Neeson carries the film with his charisma and presence and proves once again why he is one of the best action stars of his generation.
The supporting cast also does a good job in their respective roles. Noma Dumezweni stands out as Angela Brickmann, Matt’s loyal and smart co-worker, who helps him unravel the mystery behind the caller’s identity. She has a strong chemistry with Neeson and provides some comic relief in some tense moments. Arian Moayed is also effective as the voice of the caller, who taunts and torments Matt throughout the film. He conveys a sense of menace and bitterness with his tone and delivery, making him a formidable antagonist. The rest of the cast includes Lilly Aspell and Jack Champion as Matt’s children, Emily and Zach; Embeth Davidtz as Matt’s wife, Heather; Matthew Modine as Anders Muller, Matt’s boss; and Emily Kusche as Mila, a hacker who assists Matt.
Technicalities
Retribution is directed by Nimrod Antal, who previously helmed such films as Predators (2010) and Metallica: Through the Never (2013). He does a commendable job in creating a fast-paced and suspenseful film that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. He makes good use of the confined space of the car, where most of the film takes place, and creates a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere. Nimrod Antal also utilizes various camera angles and movements to enhance the action scenes and convey the emotions of the characters.
The film is written by Alberto Marini and Christopher Salmanpour, who adapt it from the Spanish film El desconocido (2015). They manage to craft a tight and engaging script that balances action, drama, and twists. They also explore some relevant themes such as greed, corruption, justice, and redemption. The aforesaid add some depth and complexity to the characters, especially Matt Turner, who undergoes a significant arc throughout the film.
The film also boasts of some impressive production values. The cinematography by Flavio Martínez Labiano captures the urban landscape of Berlin, where the film is set, with vivid colors and contrasts. The editing by Steve Mirkovich keeps the film moving at a brisk pace, without losing coherence or clarity. The music by Harry Gregsin-Williams creates a fitting mood and tone for the film, with a mix of orchestral and electronic sounds. The sound design and effects also enhance the realism and impact of the film, especially the explosions and gunshots.
Positives:
- Liam Neeson’s solid performance as the protagonist, Matt Turner.
- The fast-paced and suspenseful direction by Nimród Antal.
- The tight and engaging script by Alberto Marini and Christopher Salmanpour.
- The impressive production values, such as the cinematography, editing, music, and sound.
- The emotional moments, surprising twists, and relevant messages in the film.
Negatives:
- The clichés and tropes that are common in the genre, such as the countdown timer, the phone calls, the car chases, and the final confrontation.
- The plot holes and logical inconsistencies that may raise some questions or doubts.
- The scenes that may stretch the suspension of disbelief or test the patience of the audience.
- The lack of challenge or innovation in the genre, but rather following its formula.
Analysis
Retribution explores the theme of retribution, which refers to inflicting punishment on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act. The film shows how different characters seek or face retribution for their actions, and how it affects them and others. The film also raises some moral and ethical questions about retribution, such as: Is it justified? Does it yield results? Is it just? Does it bring contentment?
The main character, Matt Turner, is the target of retribution by the caller, who blames him for his misfortune and loss. Matt himself is guilty of retribution, engaging in shady and illegal activities that have harmed many people. Matt has to face the consequences of his actions and learn from his mistakes. He also has to find a way to stop the caller’s retribution and prevent more harm and violence. He has to redeem himself and earn forgiveness from his family and himself.
The caller is the agent of retribution, who seeks vengeance for his wife’s death and his financial ruin. He believes that Matt is responsible for his tragedy and wants to make him suffer and pay. He uses a bomb as a weapon of retribution, and forces Matt to follow his orders or die. The caller also uses psychological warfare to torment Matt, by revealing his secrets and exposing his lies. He wants to destroy Matt’s life and reputation, as he believes he deserves.
Retribution affects other characters in the film, including Matt’s family, co-workers, friends, and enemies. They either participate in or witness the events unfolding. Characters are either supportive or hostile to Matt’s situation. They are either innocent or guilty of retribution themselves. They are either harmed or helped by retribution.
The film ultimately suggests that retribution is not a simple or straightforward concept. It is not always black or white, right or wrong, good or bad. It is complex and nuanced, depending on the perspective and context of each situation. The aforesaid can have positive or negative outcomes, depending on the intention and execution of each action. It can be satisfying or unsatisfying, depending on the expectation and reality of each result.
Verdict
Retribution is a film that will appeal to fans of action thrillers and Liam Neeson. It is a film that delivers on its premise and genre conventions, with some added depth and twists. It is a film that offers an engaging and exhilarating experience for its viewers, with some thought-provoking questions for its thinkers.
Rating
3/5
*This is an Artificial Intelligence-generated movie evaluation. These reviews are written by a large language model, trained on a massive dataset of text and code. This means that our reviews are more comprehensive, insightful, and unbiased than anything you’ll find on other platforms.
