Unknown

This is one of those reviews where I have to spoil the plot in order to best review the film. The introduction however will contain no spoilers. I liked “Unknown” but I agree with others in that it lacked originality. The acting was fine and it had a nice twist but required better action and suspense sequences. The story had a few flaws but not enough to ruin the experience. I feel that paying $10 to see this movie is too much and it needs to be enjoyed in a cheaper theater.

In the opening moments when Martin and his wife arrive in Berlin, my eyes were peeled for any clues as to the film’s twist. Usually movies with a twist or big reveal that occurs before the climax also contain plot points throughout the film that allude to the twist in advance. The events before Martin’s accident did not tip me off to the true nature of his visit to Berlin and that was important for my sake & the sake of the audience. We needed to believe that Martin was actually going to speak at a biotechnology summit and that the woman with him was his wife. Martin’s conviction throughout the film is spread to us the audience and thus the twist as reveled by Cole is a surprise to us. The film turns out to be about a man in an evil profession who is redeemed because of an accident that gives him memory problems. Even though the big reveal before the climax was a surprise, the movie’s lack of originality slightly affects the viewing experience in a negative way. The film relates a little too much to “Taken” and “The Bourne Identity” in my opinion. The bus stop scene where Martin explains the truth to the Gina could have included lines that explain why he chooses to stop the job that he was supposed to execute rather than just walk away. It is important to the story that Martin forsakes his old life and sabotages the assassination but I wanted to know why he chooses to accept his new life. When a character goes from evil to good, we need him to verbally spell out for us why. The amnesia doesn’t justify his character change enough to fully satisfy me. The use of the Ottendorf cipher in Martin’s book is good because it is a simple code but mysterious enough that you don’t figure it out until Martin himself does. I also find it humorous that Diane Kruger did just tell Martin what the numbers meant. Wasn’t she in “National Treasure”? The final scene where Martin and Gina leave on the train lacks resolution but just a little bit. I am happy though that they have Canadian passports.

The story of the film was okay but it was the acting that saved the film. Oscar-nominated actor Liam Neeson always does a good job. I also liked Diane Kruger’s performance because I failed to recognize her during the film as the leading lady from “National Treasure”. She fit nicely into the thriller genre. Another great person in the film was Oscar-nominated actor Frank Langella. His short role was important. He seemed trusting at first but when it is revealed that he is a bad guy, you aren’t surprised. This happens because of Langella’a persona and so he was well cast. The cinematography of “Unknown” was good in such moments as when Martin confronts his wife after the accident and when the other Martin Harris shows his ID in Dr. Bressler lab. There were some problems however with the cinematography of the action sequences. They were filmed in such a way that you had trouble keeping up.

Despite the problems, the film is entertaining. The acting is good and the story has some good points. The twist before the climax is a surprise and that is what counts story-wise

3 Stars