Ever since Liam Neeson transitioned into the action role with his 2008 Taken film he has for the most part kept that train moving with numerous other entries into the genre. While not all have live up to the greatness of Taken, I admit I still enjoyed most of them. His latest film, Blacklight reteams him with his Honest Thief director Mark Williams and co-stars Aidan Quinn and Emy Raver-Lapman. Could this flick bring the action fans expect or will it get lost in its own conspiracy?

 

Blacklight follows Travis Block who lives and fights in the shadows. A freelance government “fixer,” Block is a dangerous man whose assignments have included extracting agents out of deep-cover situations. When Block discovers a shadowy program called Operation Unity is striking down ordinary citizens for reasons known only to Block’s boss, FBI chief Robinson, he enlists the help of a journalist, but his past and present collide when his daughter and granddaughter are threatened. Now Block needs to rescue the people he loves and expose the truth for a shot at redemption.

 

I am a sucker for all things Neeson. I know most of his follow-up efforts since Taken haven’t hit the mark, but I would be lying if I said I still didn’t enjoy them. This one falls right in that category as well bringing some great car chases and shoot outs, with Neeson doing a great job, but a story that is often to convoluted to really get fully into. This doesn’t make it a bad film, it is just a by the numbers faire with an attempt at some twists and turns that never really surprises.

 

Neeson’s presence alone is why this film works at all and at this point he can