6 Great Liam Neeson Movies to Watch Instead of ‘Taken’
For many people out there Liam Neeson’s name is glued to the Taken franchise, however there is more to explore in his filmography, especially earlier years.
Frankly, what made me think of Liam Neeson was the news of him and the amazing Pamela Anderson dating! That’s really a couple to root for, right?
So however, being done with all the social media posts about the new couple, I decided it’s time to remember all the greatest movies Liam Neeson had ever done. Of course everybody loves Taken and how phenomenal he was in it, but maybe watch something else for a change with the actor, that proves he has range and genuine talent.
Anyway, here are 6 perfect movies to binge watch.
1. 'Schindler’s List' (1993)
IMDb: 9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% from critics, 97% from viewers
Schindler's List features Liam Neeson giving a performance of a lifetime as Oskar Schindler, the German industrialist who evolves from war profiteer to unlikely savior of 11 hundreds Jews during the Holocaust. He has a complex personality and the growth he shows in the movie is just breathtaking.
The way Neeson caught the personality of a man awakening slowly and gradually is everything, and to imagine Steven Spielberg's pivotal historical drama without his input will be impossible. No wonder the movie got seven Oscars that year.
2. 'Michael Collins' (1996)
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% from critics, 84% from viewers
In Neil Jordan’s movie Liam Neeson plays the main character named Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader who played a key role in the country’s fight for independence. Alongside Neeson are two other brilliant stars, Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts.
Neeson’s performance in Michael Collins is one of his best, earning him the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination. He makes the man seem both ruthless and vulnerable, and those are two qualities you never expect to witness together.
3. 'Darkman' (1990)
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% from critics, 60% from viewers
The movie is definitely one of Sam Raimi’s classics, and it follows Neeson as Dr. Peyton Westlake, a scientist who developed synthetic skin for burn victims. The story sees him transforming into a vigilante named Darkman after he was brutally attacked by mobsters and left presumed dead. As the genre suggests, he makes it his mission to hunt down the gangsters who destroyed his life.
However, what the actor did in this movie is make sure his character has depth despite even the most unlikely scenario. What could have been yet another B-movie turned into a cult classic mostly thanks to his acting.
4. 'Batman Begins' (2005)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% from critics, 94% from viewers
In Christopher Nolan’s movie Liam Neeson plays Bruce Wayne's mysterious mentor Henri Ducard. The man who practically shaped Batman's identity and life views. However, when Bruce finds out his mentor’s real life purpose, they have a disagreement that leads to them being on opposite sides.
The movie is sort of pivotal for Neeson’s career, because before that he used to play only noble heroes, and Nolan’s film gave him a chance to be conflicted and even sort of villainous.
5. 'Love Actually' (2003)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% from critics, 72% from viewers
This movie is definitely one of my all-time favorites! There’s not a year when I don't rewatch it during the holidays. In this multiple plot story Liam Neeson plays a widower named Daniel. His wife passed away recently and he was left with his stepson Sam, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
Their storyline is very sweet, with Daniel helping Sam going through his first crush. And it’s great that he really takes his son’s problems seriously and does everything needed to make his life easier.
6. 'The Grey' (2012)
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IMDb: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% from critics, 61% from viewers
Neeson’s performance in this movie is widely praised for many reasons. In his role of John Ottway, an oil rig worker who becomes the leader of a group of plane crash survivors, he combines it all: he is both an action hero character, but also a deeply dramatic one. And once again a movie that could have been a silly take on how to survive in the wilderness turned into a masterpiece because of the actor’s devotion.
