Today’s quick review: The Commuter. On his daily commute home from work, ex-cop Mike MacCauley (Liam Neeson) is approached by a mysterious woman (Vera Farmiga) who offers him $100,000 to identify a passenger on the train based on a scant set of clues. Intrigued at first, Mike soon realizes he’s being used as an accessory to murder. But when the woman threatens his family, Mike is forced to choose between a stranger’s life and those of his loved ones.
The Commuter is an action thriller about an ordinary man dragged into a deadly conspiracy. The Commuter takes place on a commuter train, where one unknown passenger has been flagged for death. Mike MacCauley must unravel the mystery of why and figure out a way to save his family before the train reaches its final destination. The Commuter’s striking premise and capable lead make it a fun watch, but its loose plot logic strains credulity.
The Commuter’s plot is its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. The Commuter packs in a remarkable number of twists for its premise. The identity of Mike’s target, why someone wants that person dead, and his attempts to save his family all give the film plenty of opportunities for twists and red herrings. The film also makes a credible effort at trying its threads together, turning seeming coincidences into clever connections later on.
The downside of The Commuter’s fancy footwork is that it introduces nearly as many plot holes as it patches up. Key components of the plot depend on either bad decision-making, lucky breaks, or logical impossibilities. The Commuter also suffers from a vague setup and action that doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie. These don’t get in the way of the film’s enjoyability as a thriller, but they do keep it from having the tight story it’s aiming for.
The Commuter is a solid pick for action fans looking for something tense, thrilling, and a little outlandish. The film’s plot is a double-edged sword, with enough twists to keep the thrills coming and enough holes to put off skeptical viewers. Those who are looking for a popcorn watch should give it a try. Those looking for a cerebral thriller with a tight mystery may want to give it a pass.
Try Non-Stop for a Liam Neeson thriller with a similar premise. For one with a greater focus on action, try Taken. For an action thriller about a train hijacking, try The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. For one about a bomb on a bus, try Speed.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a good lead and an engaging plot, hurt by a few glaring plot holes.