From Taken to Schindler’s List, EW honors the veteran actor’s 20 greatest performances.
Boorman offered Neeson his first major film role as Sir Gawain in 1981’sExcalibur.
A run of prestige pictures would follow, which often found Neeson embodying historical figures.
Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn in ‘The Phantom Menace’.Lucasfilm/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
Then, in 2008, Neeson took a most unexpected role in the Europacorp-produced,Bourne-inspired crunch-upTaken.
The film quickly set the box office alight, earning $226.8 million worldwide.
“Tersely commanding, he gives the film its only hints of emotional dynamism.”
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It’s efficient (under 90 minutes!
), joyfully brutal (truck make thug go splat real good!
Neeson, too, has created a real character here.
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Ferreira is one of Neeson’s most complicated and conflicted characters.
After her mother’s death, Nell is discovered by local physician Jerome Lovell (Neeson).
Neeson gives an exceptional vocal performance here, rendering the Monster fearsome and warm in equal measure.
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When asked byCharlie Rose about his experience withDarkman, Neeson gushed: “Oh, I loved it.
It was great fun…Sam Raimi is quite a genius, I think.
Just a great guy to work with.”
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This revelation infests Gabe and Judy, who start questioning their own union.
Just to be a bit of calm in the midst of the situation whirling around me."
A pervasively harrowing survival thriller,The Greyboasts some of Neeson’s best work.
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Ultimately, Neeson was not nominated, but he certainly should have been.
“We were shooting in Belfast, most days with a pint of Guinness.
Everything was fine after that!”
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(In many ways,Rob Royfunctions as a proto-Takenflick.)
“I never stop thinking about [the Troubles],” he toldIrish Central in 2009.
“I’ve known guys and girls who have been perpetrators of violence and victims.
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It’s part of my DNA.”
As theeponymous groundbreaker, Neeson turns in one of his most charming and layered performances.
Schindler is written brilliantly here and played just as elegantly by Neeson.
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Kimberley French
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Bleecker Street
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