After all the remakes that Liam Neeson has been making since the first 'Taken' was made (in 2008) -- at last, a film with an original story. And by 'remakes' I don't just mean actual sequels. I also mean that even his brand new films frequently seem to be carbon copies of his other movies!
This film breaks that pattern. No more one man on a mission. No more over-CGI'ing. No more repeats of the same story schematic, and identical plot devices. So many of Neeson's recent films have replicated his other output of the Noughties-plus that I, quite literally, can't tell these movies apart!
'Ice Road' - the predecessor to this sequel - is also a very good film, so that production was a delightful surprise. But this follow-up just seems even more stand-out than the first movie.
It's got a wonderful plot, a great script, fine casting, superb action sequences, and edge-of-seat thrills. And - for once in a modern action film - it is believable that many of these fights etc would have happened, let alone have been survived!
Admittedly there is one definite shortcoming: some of the CGI'd moments - explosions etc - appear somewhat cheaply made i_e_ the results are a bit blurry. But does it really matter? If the special effects do the job so that viewers can see the result, then it has done it's job in telling the plotline of the film.
The rest of the film's features are perfectly on form. The cinematography is great, the scene setting magical, the overall effect of the film is almost visceral. And a film set in the country in Nepal? I don't think think I've ever before seen such a setting or landscape on film. Original idea for a plot location, beautiful, and attention-grabbing for the viewer.
The acting - by largely unknowns-to-me - is marvellous. And Neeson is finally in a new film where both his involvement and the overall product are well presented. The script is excellent: it is never over-laboured, just nuanced to the correct level. We the viewers are not treated as dumb, but as intelligent beings. The backstories of the characters are sufficient but not over-emoted. The movie has just enough of all the elements needed: excitement, friendship, hope, trust, fear, human resilience, and more.
In many ways the film reminds me of the great action-adventure films of the 1990s: Tom Berenger's 'Deadly Pursuit', amongst many others. Let alone the same decade's films that actually feature mountain climbing scenes, e.g. Sly Stallone's 'Cliffhanger', 'Vertical Limit', Tom Cruise's opening scene in 'M. I. 2', etc. Like films of that era, this movie doesn't rely on CGI, nor on unrealistic feats of human strength (BTW I blame such films as the 'Matrix' franchise for pushing viewers to believe - or wish for - this level of strength in humans!). Instead this film of well into the 21st century has a realistic plot, a character-driven basis, warmth, excitement, and believability. An homage to the best of the older generation of adventure movies. An all-round action movie of the best class.
Well done to the team - actors, production, et al. This one's a winner.
