Plot:
On the way to school with his kids, Berlin-based investment banker Matt Turner gets a call from a mysterious attacker. While driving with two of his children, Emily and Zach, he picks up the call that came on an unknown phone found in the car, only to find out there has been a bomb planted in the vehicle.
With no choice of escape, he must oblige with the series of deviant instructions for the sake of his own life and, more importantly, his family’s.
Review:
The action thriller movie directed by Nimród Antal and written by Chris Salmanpour, ‘Retribution,’ brings back most of the clichés and lands on the list of “just another movie like that.” From portraying Matt Turner, played onscreen by Liam Neeson, to be a wealthy man who is always knee-deep in work to his wife Heather, played onscreen by Embeth Davidtz, being frustrated about his lack of involvement with the family, it fits the mold.
Even with this not-so-unknown drill of a plot, the remake of the 2015 Spanish film ‘El Desconocido’ engulfs you with explosions and numerous car chases. Not to forget, Liam Neeson, as always, does not disappoint a bit, especially considering the action movie has a short span and includes long stretches of conversation over the phone. His acting makes the audience sense the tension in the literal ticking time scenes, from the life-threatening situation at hand to his determination to save them all.
However, the acting in the movie is not the rub, neither was the cast nor the action. Noma Dumezweni, Lilly Aspell, Jack Champion, Matthew Modine, and Arian Moayed were satisfactory in their respective roles.
And even with everything going in its favor, it really comes down to the plot, which reminds you why it is said not to patch an old garment with new cloth.
If you are a Liam Neeson fan, it is quite a treat to actually see him age like fine wine and also be great at what he does. If you are a fan of such movies or are nostalgic about Neeson’s similar roles in the past, it is a good choice. But if you are looking for uniqueness or originality, ‘Retribution’ might not be the one for you.
Ratings: 2.5/5
In conclusion, the movie does not fall on the must-watch list, especially if you are considering watching it in theatres. However, it may be worth a shot if you are a part of the cast fandom or the genre. With the limited running time, you will not feel it to be a drag. In fact, during the course of the movie, you will be quite engrossed, but it is at the end that you realize the banality. Considering all these factors, ‘Retribution’ receives a 2.5 out of five rating.
