At an age when most other actors are transitioning into geriatric supporting “character” roles, the nearly 70-year-old Liam Neeson continues to mix it up with the youngsters in action adventures. With the exception of the first “Taken,” “The Grey,” and “Widows,” these shoot-em-up, chase scene-laden flicks are sorely lacking in substantial intrigue, have interchangeable, generic plot lines, and are the cinematic equivalent of dollar-menu fast food. It tastes great going down but has little to no nutritional value.
Australia Pinch-Hits for D.C.
Although shot in Canberra and Melbourne, Australia, “Blacklight” is set in Washington, D.C. and revolves around Travis Block (Neeson), a “subcontractor” doing black-op work for his Vietnam vet buddy Gabriel Robinson (Aidan Quinn), who is also the current director of the F.B.I. Travis’s latest assignment is reeling in Dusty Crane (Taylor John Smith), an agent that has gone off of the reservation.
Taylor John Smith (foreground) in "Blacklight" (2022). Briarcliff Entertainment
