'The Marksman' movie review: Liam Neeson-starrer fails to reach its potential

'The Marksman' has an outdated storyline

Cast: Liam Neeson, Teresa Ruiz and Katheryn Winnick

Director: Robert Lorenz

Rating: 2.5/5

The Hollywood film The Marksman, which hit the screens on Friday, is a predictable yet mildly engaging actioner that is likely to click with Liam Neeson fans. The flick revolves around the journey of a retired Marine who gets into the bad books of the cartel following a twist of fate.

The basic storyline is outdated but has enough 'masala' to satisfy a section of the audience. The Marksman may superficially remind fans of the mediocre Rambo: Last Blood, which is not a good sign. The middling screenplay fails to cover the shortcomings of the plot.

The Marksman starts off on a slow note with the opening sequences introducing fans to the protagonist. The film subsequently moves into the 'so-so' zone as the narrative lacks a sense of urgency. Most of the twists especially the one involving a cop are as predictable as anything can be.

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The action sequences are strictly passable and lack the 'x factor' needed to make an impact, a cardinal sin for a movie belonging to the genre.

The Marksman, however, is not a lost cause despite its shortcomings. The sequences involving Liam and his little companion are quite relatable and add depth to the narrative. Their conversation about women is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The scene involving the death of a key character too has been executed well.

Liam is the heart and soul of The Marksman. The veteran underplays things, hitting the right notes with his subdued yet intense performance. Katheryn Winnick makes her presence felt despite being underutilised. Teresa Ruiz does justice to the emotional scenes but gets limited screen time. Her sequences with her child have come out well. Joe Perez is decent. The rest of the cast is okay.

The background score is a big highlight of The Marksman and adds new life to the reel action. The other technical aspects have been handled with a degree of competence.