Writer: Rheus Wai Soh See

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Watch this if you liked: “Taken”, “The Invisible”, “From Paris With Love”

Previously titled "Unknown White Male", you're not going to like this very much if you were hoping for the sort of sleek, secret agent ass-kicking you saw Liam Neeson execute so effortlessly in "Taken". This Brit-German-French co-production repeats the formula to an extent - European setting and an international cast that includes the luscious Diane Kruger ("Troy"), Bruno Ganz ("Downfall"), Aidan Quinn ("Legends Of The Fall"), Frank Langella ("All Good Things"), January Jones ("X-Men: First Class) and Sebastian Koch ("The Lives Of Others") - but its over-simplistic plot development and uninspired thriller elements only serve to show how effective and satisfying "Taken" actually was in 2008.

Discounting the strange and often unconvincing character arcs (especially those of the villains), old hand Liam Neeson is actually still very watchable in his strong, silent role as an unassuming botanist who might or might not be imagining his own identity. However, as Variety notes: "Beyond the occasional plot frissons and juicy supporting turns, it's an emotionally and psychologically threadbare exercise, likely to do solid short-term biz but lacking the gut-level satisfaction needed to play like gangbusters over the long haul."

IF we're talking about Liam Neeson's acting CV, it's a good thing that "After.Life" didn't make Singaporean and Malaysian release either. Let's hope "The Grey" (2012) will be a better show and if not, "Wrath Of The Titans" (2012) to be a mind-numbing blockbuster that will keep him away dramatic leading roles.

Cinema Online, 07 March 2011