Liam Neeson’s 2014 action thriller is trending on Paramount+, but audiences are better off reading the book it’s based on instead. Many ofNeeson’s films as a leading manplace the actor in a wide range of genres, butit’s the release ofTakenthat helped establish him as a solid action star.
Although the general critical response totheTakenfranchisewas never exceedingly positive,audiences were always more welcoming of the films. AfterTaken,Neeson went on to lead a string of action thrillers, each varying in their success.
Some movies, likeThe Grey, are seen as a career high for Neeson, while movies likeWrath of the Titansare better off forgotten. Neeson’s trending action thriller lands somewhere in between. Throughout his career,Neeson has proven to be a compelling action hero, but his talent within the genre can only do so much for a film.
Liam Neeson’s A Walk Among The Tombstones Is Okay, But The Original Book Is Better
Written and directed by Scott Frank,A Walk Among the Tombstonesis based on Lawrence Block’s crime thriller of the same name.A Walk Among the Tombstonesfollows private detective Matthew Scudder (Neeson) as he helps a drug dealer find those responsible for the kidnapping and murder of his wife.
Matthew Scudder was first brought to life on the big screen in the poorly received8 Million Ways to Die.Jeff Bridges portrayed Matthew Scudderin the film, and thoughNeeson’s performance has earned a far more positive response,A Walk Among the Tombstonesisn’t without its faults.
Frank’s film captures the gritty tone of Block’s writingwell, butsacrifices the complexity of Neeson’s character, including key romantic and platonic relationships, in exchange for an increase in action. The added set pieces throughout the film makeA Walk Among the Tombstonesan entertaining thriller, but dilute the narrative overall.
Block’s novel remains the superior version ofA Walk Among the Tombstones, even though Neeson’s prowess as an action star is a better fit for the character of Matthew Scudder than Bridges. Frank’s film is a fine action thriller, butit doesn’t fully encapsulate the suspense or personality within Block’s writing, and it ultimately doesn’t compare well to the novel.
Eight Million Ways to DieandA Walk Among the Tombstonesare only two of the countless Matthew Scudder novelswritten by Block. Had Frank’s adaptation performed better at the box office, there would have been more than enough source material to return to for multiple sequels.
In the past,Neeson had stated that he and Frank were both willing to do a sequel. Such sequels would have provided the necessary opportunity to make up forA Walk Among the Tombstones' missteps, giving more than enough room to explore Matthew Scudder’s morality and personal life in greater depth.
