Run All Night – Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

Conlon is a washed-up alcoholic with no real friends and money, who keeps hanging around Shawn McGuire (Harris) and his family because his own son has disowned him. But when certain unforeseen circumstances occur and Conlon’s son becomes unintentionally a witness to McGuire’s son dirty business, Conlon has to kill McGuire’s son in order to save his own. Now the fathers who have been friends for a long time find themselves at war. Who will survive this “eye for an eye” by the end of the night?

Commentary

I generally like Neeson as an action figure as he exudes tough determination and I figured this movie was just going to cash in on his other action roles, like Taken. This film deviates from his normal “good guy” style by having him portrayed as a washed up mob assassin. He’s also an alcoholic that has estranged himself from his only son. I wish that there was more time spent between Neeson and Harris as that is where the true melodrama starts to unfold. The idea of fathers doing whatever it takes to defend their sons is interesting and full of potential. Unfortunately, it turns into a standard revenge flick that plays out as a retread on themes we have seen before. The mob boss hires a “specialist” to kill Conlon and even though we know they must have a past together, it is never explored. The “specialist” is not very special either, except that he kills every cop that gets within a yard of him. So much for doing the job neat-and-quiet like. Overall, if you are a Neeson fan, I do not think this movie will disappoint, but it is not his best work by far. Oh yeah, see if you can recognize Nick Nolte in his brief screen appearance.

Technical

The movie is shot mostly at night and in dimly lit hallways. Still, it looks pretty good with no crushing or digital artifacts. Very little CGI was incorporated in this film except in speedy fly-over segues from one scene to another. Sound is appropriately punchy and clear. It’s also recorded in rare 7.1 (rejoice!), however, not in Atmos.

Extras

A DVD and digital copy are included as well as commentaries and a brief “making of”.