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Created Jan 05, 2013 11:03AM PST • Edited Jan 05, 2013 11:03AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   As Liam Neeson movies go, Unknown is a bit sub-par. It bears a resemblance to the Taken duo in that he’s an American on the run from and after bad guys in a European capital, but its plot is way more mysterious. Too mysterious, even though it reveals itself towards the end in a way that is defensible, if too wacky.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Liam Neeson has perfected the art of playing a normal guy who just happens to have Bond-like deadly skills. Still, he’s got charisma and his reputation now precedes him, making him fun to ride along with.

   His strong supporting cast includes.

   • January Jones fails to impress as his icy blond wife. That act works fine as Betty Draper on Mad Men, but is starting to look like a one trick pony.
   • Speaking of gorgeous blonds, Diane Kruger plays down her beauty as a courageous taxi driver. Well done.
   • Aidan Quinn impresses in a small role as a man of mystery.
   • Bruno Ganz really impresses as a former Stasi agent now trying to earn an honest living. Such a strong performance shouldn’t be surprising from the actor who inhabited Hitler in Downfall.
   • Frank Langella always impresses. Pity his role isn’t bigger.
   • Sebastian Koch also impresses as an altruistic scientist. Koch memorably starred in one of the best German movies of recent years, The Lives of Others.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Good 3.0

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Good 3.0

    The story probably worked better in the source novel than it does on screen.

11. Direction Good 3.0

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.3

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Profane 2.6

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.5

22. Circumstantial Surreal 3.0

23. Biological Surreal 2.3

24. Physical Surreal 2.1