THE COMMUTER (2018)

Directed By: Jaume Collet-Serra 
Written By: Ryan Engle, Byron Willinger & Philip De Blasi 
Story By: Byron Willinger & Philip De Blasi 
Cinematography: Paul Cameron 
Editor: Nicholas De Toth 

Cast: Liam Neeson, Sam Neill, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Elizabeth McGovern, Jonathan Banks, Florence Pugh, Carla Lago, Damson Idris, Letitia Wright 


Now a hard-working life insurance salesman and a caring family man, the former police officer, Michael MacCauley, has taken the commuter rail to New York for the past ten years. But, unexpectedly, things will take a turn for the worse, when on one of his daily journeys, the cryptic passenger, Joanna, makes Michael a generous and tempting offer to locate a single commuter or face grave consequences. Is this a sick joke, or is this indeed a serious situation? As Michael races against the clock to solve this wicked conundrum, everyone aboard is a suspect, in a deal where there's definitely more than meets the eye. Can he decide in time who's the one?

This film ends up more fun then one would expect. As it plays it’s hand into the usual potboiler thriller, but as the movie goes along it also morphs into different genres of movies. As it constantly stays a conspiracy film but while trying to fit into a thriller it becomes an action film, mystery, a hostage drama, a disaster film.

That keeps the audience on it’s toes and constantly entertained. It’s not stupid but it’s not smart maybe a little silly if you are looking for logic and for it to make sense. As it is filled with plot holes. But if you enjoy Liam Neeson thrillers. This is right up your alley this film seems the type his character or many who make the same commute he does would read on the trip to pass the time.

I will admit to mostly not being a fan of Neeson’s starring thrillers and at first i thought this would go the same way, but I am glad it didn’t. This one feels a little sassier than the usual or maybe he is breaking down my defenses either that or I am just getting so used to them. That i don’t mind.

This is still a film that will entertain his usual audience and offers them more of the same. As this one treats itself more seriously but Comes off more fun. It also doesn’t leave many cliches on the side. The minority character who is willing to sacrifice themselves to save all the other mostly Caucasian characters. Characters who are murdered but conveniently hidden or disposed of. Him constantly fighting other characters with weapons or guns in close proximity of others yet they never hear or notice it. The film even has items own I am Spartacus moment

This is Liam Nesson and director Jaume Collet-Serra fourth collaboration (NON-STOP, UNKNOWN, RUN ALL NIGHT) together and this is the silliest and most fun. Not as many recognizable co-stars but while staying a contained thriller. It’s the wildest ride yet. Where at least how it turns out seems to have some weight behind it. Even if the ending makes very little sense in the plausibility scales. Though this film has a number of similarities as their film NON-STOP where an cop is travelling and tasked with finding someone out of a number of suspects or what they are traveling on will crash killing all on board.

This is a film of convenience that does achieve some thrills though it stays pretty predictable throughout. If anything it feels like a potboiler. It feels like one of those films that is part wishful fantasy, but also feels like one of those thriller novels you read to pass time on a trip to entertain yourself. Not looking for a literary masterpiece. Just looking for entertainment and escape from the everyday. That is what this film is in spades.

It also leaves you shaking your head a bunch as it’s very hard to believe so many consequences came together all at one time for the situation that occur in this film.

Like even though he is a stock broker Liam Neeson’s Character also happens to be an ex police detective.


Grade: C+