Blacklight (Liam Neeson) - May 03, 2022

[DR Herbert West]

Blacklight Blu-ray

Trust, identity, and the danger of unchecked power push a covert operative to the edge in director Mark Williams' intense action thriller Blacklight. Travis Block (Neeson) lives and fights in the shadows. A freelance government "fixer," Block is a dangerous man whose assignments have included extracting agents out of deep-cover situations. When Block discovers a shadowy program called Operation Unity is striking down ordinary citizens for reasons known only to Block's boss, FBI chief Robinson (Quinn), he enlists the help of a journalist (Raver-Lampman), but his past and present collide when his daughter and granddaughter are threatened. Now Block needs to rescue the people he loves and expose the truth for a shot at redemption. Nothing and no one is safe when secrets are hidden in Blacklight.

[rocknblues81]

First I've heard of this. I guess the Neeson/action movie thing is kind of played out now?

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

I guess the Neeson/action movie thing is kind of played out now?

Very.

[joonskeezle]

It still makes me kinda sad what Neeson did to his career. I never would have believed that the guy who did Schindler's List, Rob Roy, and Michael Collins would turn his career into what it is now.

How badly did Star Wars break him?

[drush9999]

I'm still a sucka for these Neeson action flicks

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by joonskeezle

It still makes me kinda sad what Neeson did to his career. I never would have believed that the guy who did Schindler's List, Rob Roy, and Michael Collins would turn his career into what it is now.

How badly did Star Wars break him?

He swears that he is done with them but then a few months later a new one just pops up. lol

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

He swears that he is done with them but then a few months later a new one just pops up. lol

Yes, he seems to be quite taken with them.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Yes, he seems to be quite taken with them.

For reasons Unknown.

He sounds like a close family member that always claims they will stop smoking, but I expect to see another cancer stick in their hands soon enough.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

For reasons Unknown.

He should Run All Night to a new genre.

[Monterey Jack]

While this isn't a very good example of his work, I'm always up for a decent Neeson action flick.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by joonskeezle

It still makes me kinda sad what Neeson did to his career. I never would have believed that the guy who did Schindler's List, Rob Roy, and Michael Collins would turn his career into what it is now.

How badly did Star Wars break him?

After years of making "important" films many actors go for the payday. After Taken Liam saw a good thing and went with it.

Taken is a great film, to me it's a classic and in the same category as Die Hard or Lethal Weapon or other great popcorn action films that transcended it's genre.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

He should Run All Night to a new genre.

This is a very under appreciated film. I loved it.

As you all have probably guessed by now I'm a huge Liam Neeson action film fan but I also love Schindler's List, I've watched it many times.

Both Blacklight and The Honest Thief were unbelievably dumb and yet I still enjoyed them and own Honest Thief and will buy Blacklight at the right price.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

After years of making "important" films many actors go for the payday. After Taken Liam saw a good thing and went with it.

Taken is a great film, to me it's a classic and in the same category as Die Hard or Lethal Weapon or other great popcorn action films that transcended it's genre.

I don't think Taken belongs with them at all.

It is decent, but the camerawork sucks. The filmmaker must have thought that the audience would get bored if there wasn't lots of quick cuts and such.

It also doesn't have great bad guys or anything from I remember.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by rocknblues81

I don't think Taken belongs with them at all.

It is decent, but the camerawork sucks. The filmmaker must have thought that the audience would get bored if there wasn't lots of quick cuts and such.

It also doesn't have great bad guys or anything from I remember.

When I evaluate a film I never look at film shots, good or bad CGI, etc. I look at did this film draw me in and Taken what a heart pounder.

Once Liam lands in Paris the action never stops.

Just my opinion folks but in every way Taken is every bit as great as Die Hard.

[rocknblues81]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

When I evaluate a film I never look at film shots, good or bad CGI, etc. I look at did this film draw me in and Taken what a heart pounder.

Once Liam lands in Paris the action never stops.

Just my opinion folks but in every way Taken is every bit as great as Die Hard.

Each individual has the right to judge films as they see fit, but breaking down the two films.... Taken is kinda bland.

Neeson's character is not really iconic, the bad guys aren't either. The score isn't as good. The mix of humor (which I admit doesn't land 100% of the time), action and dramatic elements just make it a better ride. More epic than Taken's kind of one note pacing and feel. It's better produced Cannon film material basically.

The reviewer of the film on the main site here compares it to Man on Fire. A mix of Man on Fire and a Cannon Films actioner kind of sounds right to me.

Unfortunately for me, I don't love MOF or most of Tony's post 90's output either.

That said, I'd probably still give the first Taken a 3.5 out of 5 stars I guess... I just wish it had a more traditional editing and direction approach.

[joonskeezle]

Originally Posted by 50strat54

After years of making "important" films many actors go for the payday. After Taken Liam saw a good thing and went with it.

Taken is a great film, to me it's a classic and in the same category as Die Hard or Lethal Weapon or other great popcorn action films that transcended it's genre.

All that tells me is that they don't give a shit about acting anymore and are just cashing checks now.

Which was my point, hence why I posited that Star Wars broke him.

It's just sad when such a great actor throws in the towel like that.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by joonskeezle

All that tells me is that they don't give a shit about acting anymore and are just cashing checks now.

Which was my point, hence why I posited that Star Wars broke him.

It's just sad when such a great actor throws in the towel like that.

Nothing wrong with making a few bucks.

It's Show BUSINESS not Show let's make art and get paid scale and hope for some money on the back end

Liam is still a fantastic actor and that is what makes his action films so great because he still delivers whether it is Schindler's List or Blacklight.

When I watch Blacklight I am watching an actor giving 100% of his great skills even if the story is weak with a lot of plot holes, I mean really obvious ones.

[4Dblu]

Yeah, i'm a sucka for action from himSo, i'll get it

[Somerset]

Neeson is great and I welcome more action offerings from him, but this film was terrible...

[eddyw78]

Originally Posted by Somerset

Neeson is great and I welcome more action offerings from him, but this film was terrible...

Totally agree. This was a bland and boring 12A movie with probably two action scenes that was a believe a Sky Original production which is where I saw it it for free. Glad I didn’t pay for it.