Retribution (2023) - Pacing Issues Kinda Let It Down

Okay, so I just got back from seeing Retribution. Liam Neeson's in it, playing a dad who finds a bomb under his car seat. Classic Neeson setup, right? The premise is solid – a ticking clock thriller where he has to follow the bomber's instructions while trying to keep his kids safe. The setup felt very reminiscent of Speed which is never a bad thing. But honestly, the pacing felt… off. There were moments where the tension was genuinely great. Like, when he's trying to make the drop at the first location and his daughter is freaking out – you really feel the pressure. But then there'd be these long stretches of just driving and talking, that didn't really escalate anything. They could have trimmed 15 minutes here and there and the film would be much better. Also, the kids weren't super believable, especially the son. I get they're supposed to be scared, but some of the acting felt a little wooden. I think, I blame the script for this, not the kids. Honestly, the biggest letdown was the ending. Without giving too much away, the 'reveal' just wasn't that impactful. It felt a bit rushed and the motivation of the bomber wasn't fully fleshed out. It relied a lot on Liam Neeson's ability to sell being stressed and pressured, which he mostly does, but even he can't completely save some of the weaker plot points. Overall, it's an okay watch if you're a Neeson completist or just want some mindless action. But I think it could have been a lot better with tighter editing and a more satisfying resolution. Definitely feels like they missed some oppurtunities here. I'd give it a solid, but not enthusiastic, 6/10.