Alexander_Blanchett
Actually very entertaining but also quite common Liam Neeson auctioner that was really full of holes like Swiss cheese. Too bad, because it had some tense and fine style as well as interesting cinematography but the problem was that the format is really dried out now... we saw the same kind of thing in "Non-Stop" by the same actor/director duo and this time the story just takes place on a train and is even more unbelievable just like many of the stunts. Too bad that a good cast was wasted. Next to Liam Neeson, who really was not in top form here, we have Vera Farmiga in a wasted role that mostly focuses on a voice performance only. Sam Neill who was also quite non existing except for the beginning and ending. But I always love to see him. Patrick Wilson did his usual boring thing. Good to see Jonathan Banks and Elizabeth McGovern who almost had no lines. The score was good some effects decent and it never got boring but even if you try to switch off the logic you just can't, its so illogical its funny how it got a green light. Oh well never change a winning team or concept I think... but maybe its time to do so now.
Mitiori
I'm a big fan of the Liam Neeson kick some ass action. The formula works for me, despite his age. The Commuter, not so much.Both the action and plot were disappointing. The beginning montage was too long and fill and could easily have been shortened to edit out unnecessary scenes and the length of the movie. Or add some coherence to the plot.It could have been a good psychological thriller, but never took it beyond a few scenes. He barely strained his conscience. Then it tried to be an action movie, but wasn't coherent or fulfilling as that. His mission on the train was him roaming back and forth in a panic and trying to call for help. A more intelligent selection process would have made up for a lot of the silly physicality of the stunts. There were some red herrings, but nothing really interesting.Then, other than a train crash, there's absolutely no explanation of the villians. They are omnipotent, except for the main plot point. We never know who they are. And the last scene... Just skipped ahead without any backstory. A lot of wasted potential. There are struggling writers who could have done better.
blrnani
But that's not such a bad thing, as he lends a much needed aura of credibility to productions that often tend to strain it to the limits.
And while he dominates the film, there are some nice supporting performances.
I do recommend, though, that Liam tries to get away from this Non-Stop theme for his next production - maybe a something with a bit of comedy, which he also handles with aplomb.
MrDHWong
The Commuter is an action thriller starring Liam Neeson. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Non-Stop, The Shallows), it is an absurd but mostly enjoyable action film of the usual Liam Neeson standards.On his usual train commute home, former cop-turned-insurance salesman Michael MacCauley (Liam Neeson) meets and interacts with an unusual woman named Joanna (Vera Farmiga). Joanna tells Michael of a hypothetical situation, which involves him finding one particular passenger on board the train and upon doing so, will result in him pocketing $100,000. Intrigued by this, Michael further investigates the train carriages for clues, only to discover that this situation is not hypothetical and has resulted in placing him and his family in great danger.As farfetched as it is entertaining, The Commuter is a fun popcorn film with enough suspense and action to hold one's attention for the duration of its runtime. Liam Neeson is his usual action-star self, essentially playing the same character we have seen many times before, so one would know what to expect. The film is in the same vein as other Liam Neeson-helmed action thrillers, like Taken and Non-Stop, the latter of which was by the same director, and this does nothing to detract from the formula, but if it ain't broke. Don't expect too much and enjoy the film for the satisfying time passer it was made to be.I rate it 6/10