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 weâll watch. At least, I will.
The 2021 Robert Lorenz action thriller âThe Marksmanâ 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 youâll be entertained for 108 minutes.
âThe Marksmanâ could be called a modern take on Clint Eastwoodâs âGran 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 doesnât use a cell phone, causing a funny interaction when he tries to purchase a road map. Heâs 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 âThe Marksmanâ 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. âYou cross the cartel, your family will pay.â Katheryn Winnick rounds out the cast as Jimâs stepdaughter and border patrol agent.
âThe Marksmanâ 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. Itâs predictable but acceptable for this type of film. Good not great and fits for Action Movie May.
