The Marksman Review

 The Marksman is the latest Liam Neeson action thriller and the first major theatrical release of 2021. This movie is about a rancher along the Mexican border who unexpectedly protects a young boy while fleeing from the cartels. Liam Neeson can do these roles in his sleep, though he still does an outstanding job. There is no better actor in the business currently for this older grizzled action role. Neeson does not phone it in during the dramatic scenes either. Jacob Perez gives a good performance in his first movie role. His dynamic with Neeson keeps us consistently engaged. Katheryn Winnick does a fine job in her minor role. Sadly, our villains led by Juan Pablo Raba are just generic cartel members. They're not awful actors, but the script gives them nothing to do. The screenplay is acceptable but thankfully elevated by our two leads. There is nothing here story-wise you have not seen before, but it’s done well. Robert Lorenz’s direction is solid. He is very clearly emulating a mix of the film Logan, along with some old westerns. The action sequences, while nothing special, are easy to follow and exciting enough. The cinematography was a surprising highlight. There were a few incredibly beautiful shots. At 108 minutes the pacing flows well, letting the right moments sink in while never being boring. Overall, The Marksman is not among Neeson’s best, but it is way above his worst. This was a solid, enjoyable action thriller and a good start to the year.

6.5/10