I am having a hard time believing that Liam Neeson is the guy living in the US south, close to the border, carrying the American flag on his shoulder (5 min in the film) and still speaking with his infamous tone of voice and accent... I think if he hadn't been casted for this, then it would have been a completely uninteresting film. Yes it's a Liam Neeson movie...same like a Nick Cage movie...we watch it to see Liam doing something. But it's not Taken or anything like that. And it's not exactly action/thriller; 40% of the film is a subtle social commentary. I had fun watching it but come on, was that film necessary? Probably not. 5/10.
538 Reviews
Give Liam a break
ddelamaide22 August 2021
Many of the critical comments (and the relatively low rating) seem to revolve around the film not meeting a viewer's expectations. Fair enough, but it just underscores the flawed premise of the imdb ratings, which have grown increasingly unreliable. This film doesn't break new ground, but it is solid entertainment. Doesn't have enough action to make it an action thriller? Too bad. Taken on its own merits, it's watchable, reasonably compelling, and has great scenery. Liam Neeson is always good, and the kid and villain are quite good.
needs a few changes
SnoopyStyle11 September 2021
Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) has a shrinking property on the American Mexican border. The bank is foreclosing on what's left of his property including the hill where he spread his late wife's ashes. Her medical treatments had drained their life savings. He often finds illegals crossing his property. One day, he comes across Rosa and her son Miguel. They're on the run from the Mexican cartel. Jim gets into a gun battle and kills one of the cartel gunmen. Rosa is killed. Eventually, Jim is on the run with Miguel. Jim's stepdaughter Sarah Pennington (Katheryn Winnick) is a border agent.
This needs a few script changes including several situations during the final confrontation. There are some bad old fashion holdouts with the ending. Jim would never lay down his gun. As soon as that happens, both him and the kid would be killed. The biggest change I would make is to get rid of the money. It muddies Jim's motivation in helping Miguel. It would also heighten the danger by taking away a resource. In addition, Jim should have used the money to buy a car. The bad guys know the car and he knows the bad guys know it after the corrupt cop. It's also shot up to heck and on its last legs. Another change is Miguel's declaration that he wants to go home. Here's the deal. The kid is written as a real smart character. He wouldn't be dumb enough to want to go home where he can expect certain death. Overall, I like this lone marine who wants to do the right thing and Liam Neeson playing it. The script for this simplistic story has a few flaws that needs cleaning up.
This needs a few script changes including several situations during the final confrontation. There are some bad old fashion holdouts with the ending. Jim would never lay down his gun. As soon as that happens, both him and the kid would be killed. The biggest change I would make is to get rid of the money. It muddies Jim's motivation in helping Miguel. It would also heighten the danger by taking away a resource. In addition, Jim should have used the money to buy a car. The bad guys know the car and he knows the bad guys know it after the corrupt cop. It's also shot up to heck and on its last legs. Another change is Miguel's declaration that he wants to go home. Here's the deal. The kid is written as a real smart character. He wouldn't be dumb enough to want to go home where he can expect certain death. Overall, I like this lone marine who wants to do the right thing and Liam Neeson playing it. The script for this simplistic story has a few flaws that needs cleaning up.
The cartel should never have messed with Jim's dog.
TxMike3 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Jim (Neeson) is a south Arizona rancher not doing so well since his wife was diagnosed with cancer. He spent all his money and she still died and now his mortgage is in arrears. Then he is interrupted by a young Mexican mother and her small son crossing the border onto his land. He really isn't in the mood to get involved but when he finds the cartel is hot on their heels, with lots of guns, he has no choice. An ex-Marine and expert sniper he quickly moves into "the marksman" role.
While there are a couple of shootouts the movie mostly moves into a road trip mode, the cartel using modern tracking (like credit card use) to keep on his trail. He is trying to get the young boy to Chicago with relatives, the cartel goons want to kill both of them before they get there.
I'd call this just a "popcorn" movie, you pretty well know what will happen, Neeson will ultimately get the bad guys but it is fun seeing how he ends up doing it. It is somewhat amazing, Neeson turns 70 next year and he can still do these kinds of action movies.
At home on DVD from my public library, my wife skipped, not her kind of movie.
While there are a couple of shootouts the movie mostly moves into a road trip mode, the cartel using modern tracking (like credit card use) to keep on his trail. He is trying to get the young boy to Chicago with relatives, the cartel goons want to kill both of them before they get there.
I'd call this just a "popcorn" movie, you pretty well know what will happen, Neeson will ultimately get the bad guys but it is fun seeing how he ends up doing it. It is somewhat amazing, Neeson turns 70 next year and he can still do these kinds of action movies.
At home on DVD from my public library, my wife skipped, not her kind of movie.
Decent popcorn flick.
Opinate15 April 2021
There's nothing new or amazing in this film but it is an okay thriller that keeps moving along, aided by Neeson's character's like-ability.
So if you want something to keep your interest and pass an hour or so in lockdown, if you don't expect too much you might like it.
So if you want something to keep your interest and pass an hour or so in lockdown, if you don't expect too much you might like it.
Standard Liam Neeson movie
ivanmessimilos25 January 2021
This is only the second film by director Robert Lorenzo. Who's he? Exactly. He is best known as an assistant director and producer of mostly Clint Eastwood films and some great ones like Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby. His first solo film is Trouble with the Curve where the main role is played, surprisingly, by Clint Eastwood himself. I really liked that movie. The difference between this and this film is the script, this time he wrote it himself and it is not good at all. It is often predictable, one-way, and uneven. Overall though, I can't judge the film with Liam Neeson where he plays himself badly. He will turn 69 this year, and he is still making films like this. I call this a typical Liam Neeson movie, if you've watched one in the last ten years, you've watched it all. A gloomy man with a difficult and vulnerable past who does not look for troubles but they find him, and he possesses special skills that he is forced to use. The good thing about movies like this is that you know you're going to get what you expected, and all of those movies are good or very good, they won't disappoint you. Same thing with this movie. If you're going to look for holes in the script or criticize the characters, then this is not the movie for you. If you're looking for a movie that will entertain you or take a break from your commitments for a hundred minutes, and you're a fan of Mr. Neeson like me then I can definitely recommend this movie to you.
Less of an action film and more of a bland, road-trip style drama
darkreignn20 January 2021
My love for Liam Neeson knows no bounds - no matter how many mediocre movies he stars in, I will always watch the next one, in hopes that maybe my expectations will be subverted and I will be treated to a good film. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Mr. Neeson has starred in a string of mediocre movies. "Taken 3" is bad beyond description, mainly due to its atrocious editing style. "Cold Pursuit" attempted to go the dark comedy route, and in my opinion, missed its mark. "Honest Thief" was painfully banal, filled with stilted acting and a noticeable lack of action. And now we have "The Marksman," another entry in the mediocre Liam Neeson movie genre.
"The Marksman" is less of an action thriller and more of a drama, and that's not inherently bad. However, the movie boasts an astounding lack of suspense and tension throughout, plodding along from scene to scene until the inevitable final confrontation - which to the film's credit, is exciting. However, before you have the pleasure of watching that, you have to sit through a long, slow, road-trip style adventure, that lacks any type of thrill. Sure, you'll find one or two intermittent "action" scenes during the course of the movie, but these scenes barely contain any worthwhile action. There is a poorly filmed fistfight that lasts about 10 seconds, as well as a mild getaway type of scenario that our hero has to escape from, and that's about it.
Because of its lack of action, the main draw of "The Marksman" is its actors, namely Liam Neeson and Jacob Perez. Liam Neeson is good with what the script has him do, and I enjoyed his character. A previous member of the Marine Corp, Liam's character, Jim, struggles with alcohol, and is unapologetically atheist, which I found interesting for a character in a mainstream film. While I was originally opposed to watching a movie with a child actor in it, because of how bad child actors usually are, Jacob Perez was, to my surprise, pretty good. He could pull off emotion when he needed to, but mostly he was likeable, and it was enjoyable to watch him and Liam interact. There was some good comedy throughout, and some interesting conversations between the two characters, but that leads me into some more negatives.
Unfortunately, for a movie that is so dialogue heavy, a lot of the dialogue was very boring. There were so many opportunities for the characters to argue or engage in a verbal battle because of their own respective beliefs and morals, but the script took the easy way out it seems, instead employing a large use of exposition. Additionally, for a movie that takes place on the road, it doesn't look very good. The cinematography and directing is very basic, almost as if this was originally a made for television film that at the last minute the studios decided to release in theatres.
When the action starts, it is exciting, specifically the battle at the end. Liam pulls off some badass moves, and he puts his rifle to work. However, at this point the movie was too little, too late, and I was so disengaged that I was more looking forward for it to end. In case it wasn't clear - I still love Liam Neeson, and I'll never stop watching his movies. However, at the end of "The Marksman," I almost found myself asking if I should even bother anymore.
"The Marksman" is less of an action thriller and more of a drama, and that's not inherently bad. However, the movie boasts an astounding lack of suspense and tension throughout, plodding along from scene to scene until the inevitable final confrontation - which to the film's credit, is exciting. However, before you have the pleasure of watching that, you have to sit through a long, slow, road-trip style adventure, that lacks any type of thrill. Sure, you'll find one or two intermittent "action" scenes during the course of the movie, but these scenes barely contain any worthwhile action. There is a poorly filmed fistfight that lasts about 10 seconds, as well as a mild getaway type of scenario that our hero has to escape from, and that's about it.
Because of its lack of action, the main draw of "The Marksman" is its actors, namely Liam Neeson and Jacob Perez. Liam Neeson is good with what the script has him do, and I enjoyed his character. A previous member of the Marine Corp, Liam's character, Jim, struggles with alcohol, and is unapologetically atheist, which I found interesting for a character in a mainstream film. While I was originally opposed to watching a movie with a child actor in it, because of how bad child actors usually are, Jacob Perez was, to my surprise, pretty good. He could pull off emotion when he needed to, but mostly he was likeable, and it was enjoyable to watch him and Liam interact. There was some good comedy throughout, and some interesting conversations between the two characters, but that leads me into some more negatives.
Unfortunately, for a movie that is so dialogue heavy, a lot of the dialogue was very boring. There were so many opportunities for the characters to argue or engage in a verbal battle because of their own respective beliefs and morals, but the script took the easy way out it seems, instead employing a large use of exposition. Additionally, for a movie that takes place on the road, it doesn't look very good. The cinematography and directing is very basic, almost as if this was originally a made for television film that at the last minute the studios decided to release in theatres.
When the action starts, it is exciting, specifically the battle at the end. Liam pulls off some badass moves, and he puts his rifle to work. However, at this point the movie was too little, too late, and I was so disengaged that I was more looking forward for it to end. In case it wasn't clear - I still love Liam Neeson, and I'll never stop watching his movies. However, at the end of "The Marksman," I almost found myself asking if I should even bother anymore.
Ok Film
jonsid5722 January 2021
This film was just ok . It did drag on a bit and could have been shorter . Liam Neeson seems to play the same sort of character in all his action films . The film has its moments but is more drama than action .
The main villain is very good in his role .
Watchable film but nothing amazing .
Liam Neeson is the new Nicholas Cage
wydeglyde001 February 2021
Hard as it is. -One of my fav actors is taking roles in tandem. The quality of his films now are like watching bread grow mold. It's more than obvious at this stage and also sad. -If you can't see it- good for you.
Satisfactory in all respects
pietclausen20 April 2021
The Marksman
Prismark1029 December 2021
Robert Lorenz is a director who has had a long association with Clint Eastwood.
I guess Eastwood was too old for The Marksman so Liam Neeson steps in.
Neeson plays Jim Hanson, a retired Marine marksman with money troubles. He spent his savings on his wife's medical bills who has since died of cancer. His ranch is at risk of foreclosing.
Jim comes across a couple of migrants crossing the border from Mexico. Rosa, a young mother dies. She asks Jim to her son Miguel to some relatives in Chicago.
On their tail are some Mexican gangsters, Miguel's father stole money from them and that seems a good motivation for Jim.
This is a slower paced action film. Melancholic in tone. Jim is gruff and at first reluctant to help Rosa and Miguel. Eventually Jim and Miguel strike up a rapport as the bad guys seem to be right behind them.
For a movie called the Marksman there is not much shooting from Jim. In that sense it misses the mark.
I guess Eastwood was too old for The Marksman so Liam Neeson steps in.
Neeson plays Jim Hanson, a retired Marine marksman with money troubles. He spent his savings on his wife's medical bills who has since died of cancer. His ranch is at risk of foreclosing.
Jim comes across a couple of migrants crossing the border from Mexico. Rosa, a young mother dies. She asks Jim to her son Miguel to some relatives in Chicago.
On their tail are some Mexican gangsters, Miguel's father stole money from them and that seems a good motivation for Jim.
This is a slower paced action film. Melancholic in tone. Jim is gruff and at first reluctant to help Rosa and Miguel. Eventually Jim and Miguel strike up a rapport as the bad guys seem to be right behind them.
For a movie called the Marksman there is not much shooting from Jim. In that sense it misses the mark.
Good movie
dogsdesert30 August 2021
I'm not sure why everyone seems to be so down on the ratings for most things these days. Not every movie is going to be an award winner. Sure there are a couple "really?" moments, but overall it was entertaining. And Liam Neeson can always be counted on for being solidly who he is, a great actor that likes to work.
OK, But Expected More
gazzleech21 January 2021
new title:this guy is no shooter
jthiac20 February 2021
Just after the movie, I thought it was okay. Later I realized that it was just that the popcorn was so darn good. The movie was truly bad. If you like Liam Neeson movies, you'll probably hate this one. If you are a shooter, a conservative, if you value entertainment over forced political perspective, you'll probably hate this movie. If you like action movies, nope, not for you. NOT a typical LN movie. Oh, and the good guy...
People are hard to please these days
tomasstalin19 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is not an Oscar material for sure but at least it was a thrilling ride . We have seen the same story in other movies like Logan and recently news of the world . it's predictable but the actors delivered a good performance espacially the kid who was endearing .Yeah it had some cliche moments ( especially the final scene when the bad guy forced the kid to shoot Liam ) but overall the movie was good enought.
A solid 7/10 for me
It's entertaining
DogePelis201510 October 2021
Oddly inert
Leofwine_draca22 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another day, another routine thriller from Liam Neeson, falling into about the middle in terms of quality. The plot and set-up are decent enough and there are certainly some suspenseful scenes in the first third, but then it becomes a slow-paced road trip with very little in the way of action or suspense to see it through. Neeson essentially plays his usual grizzled character and the rest of the cast do their best with poorly-crafted characters, VIKINGS actress Winnick among them. It only then picks up right at the end for a traditional western-style climax. Not a bad time-waster, but nothing more.
Amateur production...
Top_Dawg_Critic20 January 2021
...and that's not necessarily a bad thing. But what disappoints me here is that there were three amateur writers, with this film as their first ever writing credit (Chris Charles, Danny Kravitz and Robert Lorenz - who also directed), and I wish they'd consulted a seasoned writer - and making a point to tell that writer that Liam Neeson was the lead.
For their first writing credit, it wasn't that bad, but the 108 min runtime wasn't used effectively. It either needed to be trimmed down to about 80 mins - for the current story and pacing, or (and I would've preferred this) fill those minutes with more action and suspense. And that's not even considering Neeson was cast, and we all know we crave his action. So not getting that action, was a huge let down. Even the title of this film, only fills 5 minutes of the 108, and that's pretty sad - and a waste. There were a few plot and technical issues, as well as some content that should've been omitted i.e. bank issues, especially how that bonfire was fueled (without giving away any spoilers), which in my opinion was dumb.
This was also Lorenz's 2nd directing credit, and considering that, his work was impressive. The scenes were fluid, camera work on point, and it seemed the cast had great direction from him. The cinematography and score were also decent. It's a recommended watch - because of Neeson, but I wouldn't see it again, and probably forget about it down the road. It's a 7/10 from me.
For their first writing credit, it wasn't that bad, but the 108 min runtime wasn't used effectively. It either needed to be trimmed down to about 80 mins - for the current story and pacing, or (and I would've preferred this) fill those minutes with more action and suspense. And that's not even considering Neeson was cast, and we all know we crave his action. So not getting that action, was a huge let down. Even the title of this film, only fills 5 minutes of the 108, and that's pretty sad - and a waste. There were a few plot and technical issues, as well as some content that should've been omitted i.e. bank issues, especially how that bonfire was fueled (without giving away any spoilers), which in my opinion was dumb.
This was also Lorenz's 2nd directing credit, and considering that, his work was impressive. The scenes were fluid, camera work on point, and it seemed the cast had great direction from him. The cinematography and score were also decent. It's a recommended watch - because of Neeson, but I wouldn't see it again, and probably forget about it down the road. It's a 7/10 from me.
Cliché
westsideschl23 May 2021
Very uncreative storyline of an ex-military barely scrapping by on his Texas ranch (of course the nasty banking industry wants to foreclose). The usual family tragedy to add to his woes. The usual daughter in police to aid in his battles. Since he's on the Tex-Mex border his battles are with the cliché cartel characters chasing the stereotypical border crosser.
Oddly, cartels making tens to hundreds of millions per year seem unusually concerned about a few thousand being carried by our immigrant. Very cliché chase & fight scenes - not at all realistic.
Oddly, cartels making tens to hundreds of millions per year seem unusually concerned about a few thousand being carried by our immigrant. Very cliché chase & fight scenes - not at all realistic.
Better than expected
nelsonmd-6203617 October 2021
Enjoyable but in the end, sad film. Liam has a role where he can act his age, which is a plus (no sex with hot women half his age). You care about the characters. Sure, it is a bit contrived, but you need to have a story. But it has a bittersweet ending.
Don't waste your money
matthewjc-8067225 January 2021
The Marksmen is clearly a mere political stab at Trumps border policies in a poor attempt to get the audience to feel sympathy for illegal immigrants. It lacks any real substance and the storyline goes absolutely nowhere. The characters all provide nothing to relate or feel emotion towards with almost every line being bland and/or cliche. Don't waste your money or time on this poor excuse of a movie.
A good morality tale.
kiko-4998017 April 2021
Watching a movie on rewind.
icegenz20 January 2021
misnamed
cdcrb18 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
For a marksman, liam is a very bad shot. it takes him 2 hrs. to kill 3 very bad guys and the very baddest guy kills himself. the story, such as it is, has liam and a young mexican boy fleeing the cartel. it's stupid and silly. a terrible combo for a film. it's good to be back to the movies, tho. your move.
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