However, with such a long acting career, Neeson has had an impressive acting repertoire in general that produced many fine performances even outside of Schindler’s List. While the latter film deserved every bit of praise it has received, it is also important that Neeson’s additional respectable projects receive their deserved attention as well.
10Neeson Captures Rha’s Al Ghul’s Eloquent Darkness (Batman Begins)
The 2005 superhero origin film follows Bruce Wayne as he embarks on his superhero journey through learning the meaning of fear and how to fight from his mentor Henri Ducard after the death of his parents. After Bruce becomes his alter-ego and commences fighting crime in Gotham, he discovers his old teacher is truly Rha’s Al Ghul, the extremist leader of the League of Shadows who has been planning Gothan’s destruction.
Neeson brings eloquence and nobility to his portrayal, evoking an odd admiration for the character’s bearing and a grudging agreement with his statements about Gotham’s corruption, even if he is ultimately wrong in his chosen course of action.
9Fujimoto Takes Extreme Action For Sympathetic Reasons (Ponyo)
In this 2008 film from Studio Ghibli, Neeson voices the role of Fujimoto for the English dub. As the father of the adventurous and spunky main character who wants to be on land, Fujimoto is continually at his wits’ end as he attempts to protect his daughter from harm, even getting in the way of what she wants to do so.
8Liam Neeson Perfectly Portrays Peyton Westlake’s Tragic Origin Story (Darkman)
Considered one of Neeson’s best darker and psychological 1990’s Darkman, directed by Sam Raimi, tells of former scientist Peyton Westlake who suffers a physical injury at the hands of mobsters that want his access to confidential information. The torture requires extensive treatment that effectively severs his ability, not just to experience pain, but to feel tactile sensations in general.
As Peyton seeks revenge on the corrupt people that harmed him, he also struggles with the destabilizing effect on his mind, specifically, the increased aggression and dark temperamental nature that cause him to struggle to retain his humanity.
7Brian Mills Is Brought To Life By Neeson As A Father Desperate To Save His Daughter (Taken)
Brian Mills is introduced as a former CIA operative and divorced father who only wants to preserve the bond he still has with his daughter Kim. When she is abducted by a trafficking ring while in Paris, Brian is forced to use the skills from his former occupation to track the perpetrators down before it is too late.
The role cemented Neeson as an action film star and Hollywood lead actor and revitalized his film career in general. Neeson also skillfully balances Brian’s characterization, being a man who struggles in his everyday civilian life with his relationships but also rising to the occasion when dangerous situations require him to be physically active and professional.
6Neeson’s Voice Acting And CGI Make Aslan Feel Real (Chronicles Of Narnia)
A Messianic figure and the intended fantasy version of Christ in C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan is the ultimate embodiment of good in the world of Narnia. He frequently enacts long-term plans to ensure Narnia’s wellbeing and is remembered for his iconic death as he sacrifices himself on the Stone Table for Edmunds’ sake and to set off the Deeper Magic.
In spite of the theoretical challenges of cinematically presenting a talking lion in live-action, Aslan was brought to life through the magic of CGI and the commanding, soothing vocal performance of Neeson. Aslan appears in every entry in the Walden Media film series, starting with 2005’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
5The Perfectly Duplicitous Husband At The Heart Of A Heist (Widows)
Steve McQueen’s 2018 film follows four women in the aftermath of their criminal husbands being killed in an attempted robbery. The protagonist Veronica must then steal five million dollars from a politician in order to pay back the crime boss from whom their deceased husbands stole. Neeson plays Harry Rawlings, Veronica’s husband and a well-known bank robber who faked his death and double-crossed his team.
He now intends to steal the money from Veronica, sharing that he had an affair with Amanda, one of the widows, and plans to leave Veronica for her and their child. Luckily, Veronica manages to shoot him first and frame him for her act of murder during the heist.
4Liam Neeson Masterfully Shows The Human Side Of Devout Faith (Silence)
Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film Silence is notable for its questions about faith and conversion. The story follows two Jesuit priests, who along with their mission to spread Catholic Christianity across 17th century Japan, seek out their mentor Father Ferreira, played by Neeson.
Their purpose for locating Ferreira is to investigate the report that he has apostatized, or renounced his faith. In doing so, they also encounter the hidden Christians of Edo-era Japan and begin to explore the nature of faith in general, specifically its personal aspect and what an intimate relationship with God entails.
3A By-The-Numbers Thriller Is Elevated By Neeson’s Committed Performance (Cold Pursuit)
A 2019 thriller film directed by Hans Petter Moland, the story follows Neeson’s character, snowplow driver Nels Coxman, after he learns of his son’s death from heroin overdose. Learning that it was caused by a drug cartel, Nels’ grief leads him on the path of violent vengeance and sets off a resulting gang war between rival cartels.
The film is an American remake of the 2014 Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance, also directed by Moland, and has a subtle black comedy tone to offset the action and plot. Boasting a 68 percent “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Cold Pursuit is considered a solid, underrated action film and a surprisingly well-done remake.
2Young Liam Neeson Is A Scene-Stealer (Husbands And Wives)
Woody Allen’s Husbands and Wives is a standout example from Neeson’s more prolific action fare that shows his versatility. The 1992 comedy-drama film follows two couples that both experience marital strife and separation throughout the story, emphasized by a handheld camera style and documentary-like interviews.
Neeson plays Michael, a single man who first enters into a relationship with the wife of the first couple and then ends up officially marrying the wife of the second couple, although he still retains feelings for the latter. Despite its box-office failure, the film was critically acclaimed.
1Liam Neeson Against The Elements…And Wolves (The Grey)
Neeson’s 2011 survival film The Grey, directed by Joe Carnahan, is considered one of his best more-recent actions films, enhanced by philosophical themes and the man versus nature angle of the narrative. Alaskan oil company sharpshooter John Ottway survives a plane crash and must fend off grey wolves from the survivors. While doing so, the group confronts the question of God’s existence versus atheism and the nuances that lie between both perspectives.
To get into character, Neeson was encouraged to channel his own emotion from the death of his real-life wife Natasha Richardson to capture his character’s grief over his wife’s terminal illness.
