Non Stop

Genre: Action / Suspense

Media / Year: 2014 DVD release

Passing under the radar fairly covertly upon it's cinema release earlier this year, 'Non Stop' has just had it's DVD release in the US. As it was something we had originally planned to go and see at Star City, I decided to check it out in the comfort of my own home with the added bonus of no kids talking all the way through.

Following on from the events of 9-11 and United 93, where the USA consequently put Air Marshals on both it's external and internal flights, Liam Neeson is stationed on a long haul flight from the USA to London. The story follows that there is a terrorist on the plane that will kill someone mid flight every 20 minutes unless a significant amount of money is transferred to their bank account asap. Only Neeson knows of this threat, and he has to find out who it is.

So lets start with the good. Liam Neeson plays gruff, late in their career ex-military special agents very convincingly. Look no further than 'Taken' for evidence of this. Neeson's character in this film is very much the same as the aforementioned and he doesn't fail to deliver this ruggedness to the audience. Also, as ninety nine percent of the film takes place on a plane, the inherent claustrophobic elements add to the suspense and this is maintained pretty much up until the last act when Hollywood spectacle kicks in and reality goes completely out of the window (and I mean COMPLETELY). Julianne Moore provides a decent enough supporting role but is never really tested as are the rest of the cast.

Now for the not as good. 'Taken' was a surprise landmark action movie where Liam Neeson seemingly reinvented himself and took his career down a new path. Sadly, those looking for 'Taken' on a plane will be left disappointed. It also falls a long way short of Wes Craven's sleeper success 'Red Eye' (2005) where Cillian Murphy did stuck on a plane with a maniac significantly better. As I also mentioned earlier the final act take far fetched to a whole new level and we really are expected to throw our beliefs of what could (and does happen) at 30,000 feet completely out of the window.

'Non Stop' is a worthwhile watch, and if your in the market for a Liam Neeson actioner, it does the job. It just about gets up to cruising altitude, but falls short of previous works that do the job it's trying to do significantly better. Don't expect the earth, and you won't feel let down.

2.5 stars.