Watch The Commuter for what may just be Liam Neeson’s last time on-screen as an action hero, but oh, what a glorious ride it could have been, if only.

Overall, despite a cliched and overexposed narrative that weighs it down, the film delivers precisely what fans of the action star expect, a B-grade entertainer.

The old equation of man-plus-locomotive has been a dependable one for the movies since Buster Keaton rode the rails in The General. (See also: Burt Lancaster in The Train, and Denzel Washington in Unstoppable.) The Commuter isn’t in that class, but there are worse tickets to punch, especially in January. Such a woeful time of year for new releases warrants repeating the old warning: If you see something, say something.

January is most known for being Hollywood’s trash can and the only thing The Commuter succeeds in doing is solidifying this stereotype.

A flashy piece of dumb entertainment…

After a lot of fighting and punching, little of which has got to do with why this story was set on a train, the film makes its way towards a conclusion that many would have long guessed.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra, who has teamed up with Neeson for the fourth time for the big screen, does a fine job of keeping the viewer engrossed thanks to a taut script, unexpected twists and turns, and solid performances by the lead actors. There is rarely a moment when the film loses momentum and you’re left guessing till the end. Overall, if you’re in the mood for some intrigue and mystery, and of course, are a Neeson fan, this one makes an interesting watch.

Clocking in at a crisp 100 minutes, The Commuter is a well-executed old-fashioned thriller that doesn’t skimp on suspense or visceral action. Just don’t expect anything more. I’m going with three out of five.

Without spoiling anything, I regret to inform you that as usual, the mystery was ruined for me based only on the casting. If you get the hint, then you understand what a pain this trend is, but if you don’t, lucky you.