Review: Non-Stop (2014)

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra | 106 minutes | action, thriller | Actors: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery, Nate Parker, Corey Stoll, Lupita Nyong’o, Omar Metwally, Jason Butler Hamer, Linus Roache, Shea Whigham, Anson Mount, Quinn McColgan, Corey Hawkins, Frank Deal, Bar Paly, Edoardo Costa, Jon Abrahams, Amanda Quaid

Liam Neeson broke through to the general public with his role as Oscar Schindler in “Schindler’s List”. He went on to appear in several historically significant drama films such as “Rob Roy” and “Michael Collins”. In 2014, Neeson is approaching 60 and is best known as an action hero. It can be wrong. In the light-hearted “Non-Stop”, the tall Irishman plays an air marshall.

This air marshall doesn’t have it easy. He has fallen into disrepair and has little interest in his work. The bottle is his best companion. If he is threatened by telephone during a flight, his attacker threatens to kill a passenger if an astronomically high amount of money is not quickly deposited into an account.

“Non-Stop” is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. He and Neeson collaborated on “Unknown” in the past. Even if it is so meaningless, but amusingly insignificant. Apparently the collaboration went well, because the duo has teamed up again. “Non-Stop” is an entertaining pulp film. The plot twists – which follow each other in rapid succession – are bizarre and unbelievable, but Neeson’s solid playing and the visual flair of Collet-Serra’s editing make up for a lot. The Irishman relies heavily on his charisma. Obviously, this is a bread movie for him, but he’s doing it nicely. Julianne Moore’s supporting role is very special. The actress shows up as a somewhat strange passenger, but her contribution adds little and the actress can’t make much of her faded role. Sin.

In a year’s time, nobody will remember this film, because this thriller lacks content and depth before that. This is the cinematographic version of a chocolate bar. It satisfies the strong appetite, but does not fill it. Neeson fans will certainly appreciate this film. If you don’t set too high standards and don’t think logic is too important, then “Non-Stop” is your thing.

Neeson on autopilot in a film set in the skies… That can’t be a coincidence.