First, the bad news: Liam Neeson beats up fewer people in “Unknown” than he did in his 2009 hit “Taken.”

Even with the smaller bodycount, the 58-year-old Neeson proves his unlikely stint as action hero is no fluke. “Unknown” may borrow heavily from better thrillers, but it has enough suspense and smarts to keep an audience entertained during these winter movie doldrums.

Neeson plays Dr. Martin Harris, a researcher visiting Berlin with his wife (January Jones) to attend an important conference. About to check into the hotel, Harris forgets his briefcase in the cab. He rushes into another cab to pursue it, then gets into a terrible accident. (more…)