Lest we forget The Memory of a Killer, Erik Van Looy’s Belgian crime drama used to purloin this remake. Fond memories of the 2003 original kneecapped much of the impact of this tale of a hitman stricken with both Alzheimer’s disease and a conscience: he draws the line at killing children. With Liam Neeson in the lead, it unfolded in a manner befitting a typical tale of an assassin reluctantly agreeing to pull one last job before fading into retirement. Given the material and talent director Martin Campbell had to work with, a thorough botching would have been next to impossible. Neesom plays confused well, but it’s Guy Pearce as the FBI agent on his tail who rises to the top. On the opposite end sulks Monica Bellucci whose monotone mumble carried her through the dialogue scenes. With 2 Bonds, 2 Zorros, and 1 Jackie Chan to his credit, Campbell knows how to move the action along, the question remains why 20 years after the fact someone felt the need for this unnecessary remake. (2022) — Scott Marks