I love Liam Neeson and have no issues with his current trend. Pumping out bad action flicks like a Detroit factory producing Fords.
“Memory” is a 2022 piece directed by Martin Campbell and based on a novel by Jef Geeraerts. Dario Scardapane did the screenplay, but does it really matter? Liam Neeson is the star. He’s armed and dangerous in the same mold as “Taken,” “The Marksman,” “Cold Pursuit,” “Unknown,” “The Commuter,” “Non-Stop,” “The Ice Road” etc. It’s not going to win any Oscar’s but it’s a fun time nonetheless.
Alex Lewis (Neeson) is an aging contract killer who is suffering from early dementia. As such his skills, whilst overly impressive, are diminishing. I loved the opening scene where we first meet Alex Lewis and see him at work, and I wish it had been longer.
Memory issues aside, Alex Lewis also has a conscious. When he refuses to complete an assignment because of the nature of the target, his employers turn their sights, and scopes, on him.
Liam Rules
Liam Neeson is always great. Yes, it’s the same role and character with a few minor alterations. But I enjoy watching him so much that it doesn’t matter.
He drops lines that only Liam Neeson can like “If I’m here, it’s gone too far.” There’s an unintentionally comical moment when a hot younger woman (Stella Stocker) is checking him out at the bar. I rolled my eyes but it’s still fun.
One nice feature is that Alex Lewis isn’t made out to be honorable. Yes, he refuses the assignment that starts the story. But he’s also seen killing innocent people indiscriminately. I give credit to the writing for that. Lesser films would have the main character being an assassin, but all the targets being super evil so it’s okay that they die. Alex has nuance and it’s a good addition.
There’s an investigator played by Guy Pearce who is trying to solve the crime that started it all. Harold Torres and Taj Atwal play other cops. These three work well together, with Pearce being a particularly effective leader. The stunning Rebecca Calder has a supporting role, with Monica Bellucci co-staring as the primary antagonist.
Some Good, Some Bad
There are some cool shots as most of the film takes place in El Paso. An explosion in a parking garage is captured from a distance shot that I really liked. We get shootouts, car chases, and some brutal hitman-like kills.
“Memory” runs close to two hours, and the excess is felt. The story tries to do too much. There are so many characters I got confused at times. Just have Liam Neeson as an assassin. Give him a gun and let him go. I don’t want or need anything else.
Ultimately, “Memory” is a forgettable film. It’s fun if enjoy like current Liam Neeson and don’t expect Alex Lewis to be Oscar Schindler.
