The hip-hop artist has come a long way from his first film role “Smokin Aces” alongside Alicia Keys eight years ago. Since then, he’s had roles in “American Gangster,” “Wanted,” “Terminator Salvation,” “Date Night,” “Just Wright,” “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” “Luv,” and “Now You See Me.”
Fresh off his Oscar win for Best Original Song for “Glory” from the Oscar nominated film “Selma,” he plays Andrew Price, an assassin who isn’t going to stop until he completes his mission.
A crime thriller that’s a joy to watch, at the heart of this film is Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson), a Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man once known as ‘The Gravedigger’ who has seen better days. The longtime best friend of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris), Jimmy, now 55, is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (Vincent D’Onofrio) who’s been one step behind him for 30 years. Lately, it seems Jimmy’s only solace can be found at the bottom of a whiskey glass, but when his estranged son Mike (Joel Kinnaman), becomes a mob target, he’s forced to face off with his former mob boss in order to protect his son.
At 1 hr. 54 minutes in length, the film never threatens to outstay its welcome. The events take place within a 24-hour period as a split-second event triggers the life-and-death chase to stay alive. The action is plentiful with a subway chase, a dramatic car chase, a shoot out and a manhunt that takes place in a massive multi-level complex. The performances are richly conceived, the editing is sharp, the tension is taut and the violence sudden and foul.
There are moments in the film that are absolutely chilling – as when Ed Harris, who wanted to be at arm’s length from the crimes committed for his profit – finds that he has to personally kill someone he loves.
With several A-list actors in leading roles, there’s no reason to fault any of the acting. Liam and Ed each command a powerful presence, and together they really ratchet up both the drama and the action, but it’s Common’s frightening performance that achieves standout prominence. He makes his presence known as a violent assassin as he relentlessly pursues Mike and Jimmy. For his role, Common trained with the stunt coordinators to develop a body language and gun skills that were different from anyone else’s.
“It’s just cool to be in a film with Liam Neeson and to play his character’s modern-day counterpart. The guy who will look someone in the eye, shoot them in the head, say ‘job’s done’ and keep going. Price has an edge, he’s a little disturbed, is very smart and determined and moves with precision. He’s on this quest to get his prey and he is on them. It was exciting to embark on that,” says Common about the role.
A testosterone-fueled thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (“Nonstop”) the film is a satisfying action-drama that revolves around gangsters and bent coppers. This bleak tale of retribution, regrets and redemption may not stray too far from familiar territory but it’s engaging and well worth the theater ticket price.
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