A bank executive receives a bomb threat while driving his children to school that his car will explode if they stop and get out.
Liam Neeson has become a household name when it comes to portraying the "angry dad" action hero, and in Retribution, he once again steps into this familiar territory. Directed by Nimród Antal and penned by Alberto Marini and Christopher Salmanpour, this thriller offers a stripped-down plot, with the action primarily confined to the confines of a single vehicle harbouring a pressure-sensitive bomb. Neeson plays Matt Turner, a Berlin-based businessman whose life is unravelling due to both domestic issues and international turmoil.
The premise of a high-pressure situation on wheels isn't new, and Retribution directly translates a 2015 Spanish film that drew inspiration from Speed while adding its own twists. The film thrusts us into the shoes of Matt, a flawed man who, despite our knowledge of his innocence, is labelled as the desperate mastermind behind a series of bombings by the media.
The film keeps a brisk pace, thanks to director Nimród Antal, who skillfully manoeuvres Matt's car through crowded streets, maintaining a sense of urgency. However, despite the tension-laden premise, Retribution stumbles when it delves into mind-numbing, jargon-filled monologues that bog down the narrative. Much like Neeson's previous action ventures, this film focuses on an ordinary man pushed to the brink, someone who was already teetering on the edge before an explosive device entered his life. As the pressure mounts, Matt begins his own quest for retribution, providing some satisfaction to the audience. While Retribution may not be Neeson's finest work, it still manages to deliver an engaging action-thriller experience. Neeson, known for occasionally taking himself too seriously, plays the role of a man in extreme danger with high level of intensity.
However, where the film falls short is in its character development. The characters come across as two-dimensional and uninteresting, making it challenging for the audience to emotionally invest in their fates. We see Matt as a distracted businessman, more focused on his career than his family, glued to his phone, and seemingly oblivious to his wife's frustrations. The film's 90-minute duration initially suggests a fast-paced, easily digestible experience. Yet, despite the fast-moving footage that seeks to accelerate the narrative's development, Retribution often feels lengthy. The lack of high-octane thrills or a palpable sense of dramatic urgency leaves the movie stuck in first gear throughout its runtime.
One of the strengths of the film's premise lies in its ticking-clock scenario, where an unseen threat appears to be omnipresent. This approach allows for the construction of a concentrated thriller on a budget. However, Retribution fails to fully capitalize on this potential, as it lacks a solid twist or "gotcha" moment that typically elevates movies of this genre.
The film's climax feels rushed and hastily executed, leaving the audience with a sense of missed opportunities. The plot's core idea holds promise, but poor execution and uninspired treatment prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Retribution is a serviceable addition to Liam Neeson's repertoire of action films. While it offers moments of suspense and Neeson's reliable performance, it falls short in character development and fails to deliver the adrenaline-pumping excitement expected from this genre. The film's potential remains largely untapped, leaving us with a story that, while interesting in concept, ultimately feels ordinary in execution. Nevertheless, for fans of Liam Neeson's brand of action, Retribution still offers a watchable experience, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of his earlier successes.
Retribution was released in NZ cinemas from August 24, 2023