Non-Stop

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Release Date: February 28th 2014

An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown, Orphan, House of Wax)

Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery, Lupita Nyong'o

This is director Jaume Collet-Serra's second film with actor Liam Neeson. He has helped push Neeson in to the big action limelight. Their first film together, Unknown, sees Neeson in a mistaken identity chiller.

In Non-Stop, all's well doesn't always end well. We can see that Bill Marks (Neeson) has problems from the start. Drinking alcohol before boarding a flight is only the beginning. Hitchcock would be proud of the set-up here. Our lead has personal problems. A life threatening situation ensues, and everyone's a culprit, even Bill. This is a film that's a game of guesswork for the audience. Bill enlists the help of fellow passenger Jen Summers (Moore) and air hostess Nancy (Dockery) to help track down his foe.

Bill doesn't have the best of luck. Nothing goes his way, but it's not his luck that overthrows suspension of disbelief. Do we lack the knowledge to find out who the criminal is, or is Collet-Serra using our ignorance to direct us further away? Either way, we are always one step behind the mastermind.

With a great beginning and an even sterner middle, it's a shame that the end is dire. Our suspension of disbelief dissolves into thin smoke, and a sour taste is what's left. Non-Stop goes to show that an impeccable lead can't always save a misleading plot. The turnout would have been acceptable if it were predictable rather than piling on senseless tripe.

The supporting cast have little to do other than gawp at Bill. Lupita Nyong'o, now an Oscar winner, has a bit part with a terrible English accent. Other familiar faces are suspects too. In this situation it would be easier for us to have no connection with actors we've seen before, and cast new faces instead.

Bill spends a large amount of time conversing with the enemy through text messages. The text pops up for us to see, and a message tone to boot. It happens often. So often that it will grind some gears.

Either way, Liam Neeson can't be blamed for anything. He's already shown in Taken and The Grey that he's the man with the 'don't mess with me' factor. Another project called Run All Night is set for a 2015 release, with both director and actor collaborating together again.

Overview: Non-Stop is let down by its ending. Better luck next time.