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Aug 26, 2023

'Retribution' drives suspense gimmick into the ground

Liam Neeson hits a heavy bag in the opening shots of “Retribution.” That’s about all he does that’s heavy in the movie. Do you, like me, find scenes in films in which the characters drive from one

Liam Neeson hits a heavy bag in the opening shots of “Retribution.” That’s about all he does that’s heavy in the movie. Do you, like me, find scenes in films in which the characters drive from one place to another annoying? Get ready.

In the Berlin-set action movie/thriller “Retribution,” all Neeson does is drive around. Some genius screenwriter came up with the idea of writing an entire film in which the main character does nothing but drive. We recently saw this abomination in Steven Knight’s “Locke,” a 2013 Tom Hardy film that my colleagues praised to the skies (I hated it). Apparently, screenwriter Alberto Marini loved “Locke,” too, and reused this plot line in “Retribution,” a 2015 film starring Spanish actor Luis Tosar.

Some genius on Neeson’s team thought that the big Irishman should remake it: paychecks all around. After hitting that bag, Neeson’s Matt Turner has an awkward, morning encounter with his cold-as-ice wife Heather (Embeth Davidtz) in their lavish home. We see a vintage Porsche in the driveway. But Matt, a high-flying investment banker of some kind having money troubles; his angry adolescent son Zach (Jack Champion, “Avatar: The Way of Water”); and his estranged preteen daughter Emily (Scottish actor Lilly Aspell) all pile into a brand new Mercedes-Benz SUV (plug) and presumably head for the kids’ school. On the way, Matt gets a phone call from someone disguising his voice telling him that there is a bomb under his seat and that if he tries to get out of the car, it will explode.

Why doesn’t Matt pull over and tell his kids to get out? Because we would have no movie if he did. Eventually, “Retribution” catches up with this plot hole, and the voice tells Matt that there are also bombs under the kids’ seats. Oh, swell. Matt tells Zach and Emily what is going on. Zach asks the needling, damning question, “Dad, what did you do?” The answer should be, “I agreed to make this gimmicky, one-note movie.”

Matt advises the kids to “stay calm.” My answer would be, “But, dad, there’s a bomb under my seat.” Another car explodes as if to demonstrate to Matt and children what is going to happen to them. The Berlin police hold a press conference in English (Why would they do that?).

Matt is asked by the voice to call Heather. He learns that she is in a meeting with a divorce attorney. We hear a sad piano from composer Harry Gregson-Williams (“House of Gucci”). Somehow, I just knew the whole plot would hinge upon some hefty bank account in Dubai. The voice wants Matt to sign over the 200 plus million Euros in the account using his phone. But first Matt must get his business partner (Matthew Modine,” “Stranger Things”) to sign over his half. In the earlier scene in which a car explodes, blood and other human pulp rains down on Matt’s Mercedes. He turns on the windshield wipers. What, no window washer? The cops don’t believe Matt when he tells them there’s a bomb under his seat. Why doesn’t he forward them the pics he took of it? I really shouldn’t bother.

Directed by Nimrod Antal (TV’s “Stranger Things”) and adapted by Christopher Salmanpour, (TV’s “FBI: Most Wanted”), “Retribution” is like pulp raining down on you. If you don’t guess whodunnit before the unmasking, you’re a bit slow on the uptake. I have no objections to Neeson making a living. He’s a fine actor and a one-in-million screen presence,. But talk about being taken for a ride.

(“Retribution” contains violence, profanity and endless driving)

Rated R. At the AMC Boston Common, AMC South Bay and suburban theaters. Grade: D+

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