Not many actors have achieved appreciation of Liam Neeson. Since the 1990’s, Neeson has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s German businessmen, heroic mentors or religious priest figures, Neeson has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor that had great knowledge about genocide damage. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would always take pride in teaching students about a gruesome genocide in which his people died. My teacher believed that movies were an inferior art that couldn’t capture a genocide which tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured a genocide in which terror would persist as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Released in 1993, Liam Neeson’s best movie offered a powerful portrait of the Holocaust. In the greatest role of his career, Neeson embodies a German businessman that risks his life creating a list to rescue Jews during a genocide causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Neeson has spent most of his career playing courageous heroes in action movies. With “Schindler’s List”, however, the actor showcased an emotional side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. As Oskar Schindler, Neeson did an extraordinary job of portraying a renowned historical figure. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also amazing, Neeson created a portrait of the Holocaust that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Schindler has an emotional breakdown claiming he could have done more saving a greater number of Jews from concentration camps causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” Liam Neeson’s best movie is its message. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust which are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about genocides which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a frightening mass genocide in which innocent civilians died, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated actor that has always taken great pride making memorable movies leaving audiences satisfied.
2. Silence
Religion has shaped my identity. At an early age, I became drawn to religion with an inspiring message. Praying became a pivotal part of my routine at the age of thirteen. My connection to religion has always given my clueless life greater direction. As someone treasuring religion impacting my life experience, I adored “Silence”. Released in 2016, Liam Neeson’s movie captured religious missionaries questioning their faith. In the most thought-provoking role of his career, Neeson embodies a renowned religious mentor that questions his faith causing despair. It’s a physically demanding role that required the actor to lose weight but Neeson succeeded. Neeson showcased strong commitment towards this role he hadn’t exhibited in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Ferreira watched Japanese converts being tortured for their faith causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Silence” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about faith which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of priests experiencing silence, it’s a sensational reminder of an actor with a larger-than-life presence that thrives making movies which challenge the audience.
3. Batman Begins
Batman is a celebrated superhero that my brother always appreciated. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a brother admiring a superhero with courage. I remember my brother was a fan of the caped crusader. A comic-book nerd, he would always speak fondly about a superhero that made him feel heard. In 2005, Liam Neeson honoured the legendary superhero in his movie “Batman Begins”. In the most villainous role of his career, Neeson embodied a treacherous villain that threatens Batman’s ability to solve crime in a city facing despair. With “Batman Begins”, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Neeson honoured a legendary comic-book character that’s enduring. As Ra’s Al Ghul, Neeson did an exceptional job of portraying a legendary comic-book character. For instance, the scene in which Ra’s Al Ghul trains Bruce Wayne seeking to prepare him to join the League of Shadows is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Begins” a comic-book classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking tribute towards the caped crusader, it’s a commemorated reminder of an actor that made movies audiences treasure.
4. Gangs of New York
Gangsters are great figures that fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather that admired gangsters causing damage. I remember my grandfather appreciated gangsters. An offer he couldn’t refuse, he loved gangsters shaping his worldviews. As someone treasuring a grandfather that adored gangs in New York, I admired “Gangs of New York”. Released in 2002, Liam Neeson’s movie honoured gangs in history. In the most tragic role of his career, Neeson embodies a gang leader facing despair. Neeson has always left a strong impression in supporting roles, and “Gangs of New York” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also amazing, Neeson honoured gangs in history. For instance, the scene in which Priest Vallon delivers a speech inspiring his gang to overcoming fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gangs of New York” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. A grand portrait of hardships that gangs in New York faced causing lives to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies audiences celebrate.
5. Love Actually
Single fathers often face obstacles that are challenging. Several years ago, a close friend of my family lost his wife to illness causing sorrow. Left devastated, he struggled to raise kids without his wife he appreciated. He struggled to be a father for children whose mother died from Cancer. As someone that witnessed a father facing tragedy, I adored “Love Actually”. Released in 2003, Liam Neeson’s movie captured lives of individuals affected by love. In the most mature role of his career, Neeson portrays a single father that struggles raising his son following the death of his wife causing despair. Neeson has built an image for playing heroes with courage. With “Love Actually”, however, the actor showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Daniel has a tender conversation with his son becoming aware he is in love is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Love Actually” a romantic classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about romance which would resonate with everyone. A captivating depiction of couples celebrating the Christmas season, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies are worthy of appreciation.
6. Taken
Liam Neeson is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing action heroes facing tension. Neeson has built an image for playing action heroes with courage. Neeson’s strength for playing action heroes embarking on a mission is clearly evident in his film “Taken”. In the most heroic role of his career, Neeson embodies a vengeful father seeking to rescue his kidnapped daughter facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing action heroes facing danger. Working alongside Maggie Grace who is also amazing, Neeson captured tensions that fathers losing children face. As powerful as Bryan’s desire to find his daughter that’s taken, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with dedication that has manufactured memorable movies which are worthy of celebration.
7. Ordinary Love
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell stories about terminally ill patients. A sensitive subject matter, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2019 Liam Neeson tackled the subject matter with love in his movie “Ordinary Love”. In the most sensitive role of his career, Neeson embodies a husband whose wife is diagnosed with terminal illness causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a victim of illness. Working alongside Lesley Manville who is also amazing, Neeson created a portrait of illness that’s compelling. An extraordinary portrait of ordinary couples impacted by illness, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has become an icon in the entertainment business.
8. Kinsey
When it comes to the most beloved professors in American history, it’s worth discussing Alfred Charles Kinsey. A renowned American professor, Kinsey discovered sexual behaviour. Kinsey’s groundbreaking discovery of sexuality forever changed history. In 2004, Liam Neeson honoured the iconic professor’s legacy in his movie “Kinsey”. In the most intellectual role of his career, Neeson embodies a professor facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Laura Linney who is also amazing, Neeson celebrated Kinsey’s legacy. Nearly 40 years after Charles Kinsey made groundbreaking discoveries of sexuality, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies which audiences love dearly.
9. The Grey
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced grim bombings in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Through my parent’s strong drive to survive, I made it out of the bombing alive. As someone haunted by bombings that changed my life in a huge way, I adored “The Grey”. Released in 2011, Liam Neeson’s movie depicted a man driven to survive. In the most courageous role of his career, Neeson embodies a brave man seeking to survive wolves causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for playing strong action heroes. Neeson showcased strong commitment to the role that he hadn’t shown in his career before. As strong as Ottway’s desire for survival, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has produced movies audiences consider to be special.
10. Blacklight
Liam Neeson hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies that Neeson has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Blacklight” falls into the latter category. Released in 2022, Liam Neeson’s spy thriller was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Neeson embodies a CIA agent facing despair. Neeson brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Neeson proved he hadn’t lost his abilities to excel in action movies. Although “Blacklight” is a disastrous movie, it honours Neeson’s enduring legacy. As strong as Travis’ desire to become a successful fixer, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced timeless movies that I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a writer.
The Film Buff 