The recipe is as simple as grilled cheese. Take Liam Neeson, give him a just cause, arm him well, add a cool bad guy, and we’ll watch. At least, I will.
The 2021 Robert Lorenz action thriller “The Marksman” does all of the above. The result is what the viewer has come to expect. Neeson is a treasure to watch and despite the simplicity of the story you’ll be entertained for 108 minutes.
“The Marksman” could be called a modern take on Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino”. Jim Hanson (Neeson) is a simple rancher (and former Marine sniper). Hanson ends up protecting a young immigrant named Miguel after he illegally crosses the border while fleeing from a ruthless Mexican Cartel.
Liam Neeson is a God on screen and has become a great icon of action cinema. Jim Hanson is a loner who has a backstory fleshed out with a few early scenes. He doesn’t use a cell phone, causing a funny interaction when he tries to purchase a road map. He’s in danger of losing his ranch to the bank which is a great parallel to the young boy he is protecting (Jacob Perez) who is losing his country and family.
Neeson aside, the star of “The Marksman” easily goes to Juan Pablo Raba for his portrayal of cartel thug Mauricio. Raba pulls off the part of sinister and sadistic killer with effortless ease, and will make you squirm as he pursues Jim and Miguel, operating with his only motto. “You cross the cartel, your family will pay.” Katheryn Winnick rounds out the cast as Jim’s stepdaughter and border patrol agent.
“The Marksman” takes the viewer on a journey across the United States. What starts in the deserts of Arizona ends up on the streets of Chicago, with Jim and Miguel mixing bonding with fighting off Mauricio. It’s predictable but acceptable for this type of film. Good not great and fits for Action Movie May.
