If there’s one man whom big screen baddies don’t wa🧸nt to mess with, it’s Liam Neeson. The Hollywood action star has taken down countless foes — whether of the human or plastic kind — and is gearing up for his latest adventure, the final installment of the “Taken” franchise, out Friday.
But before audiences check out Bryan Mills on thꦍe silver screen one last time, t♔ake a look back at eight of Neeson’s most badass movie moments:
‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’ (1999)
OK, so “The Phantom Menace” is the worst edition of the “Star Wars” franchise, but Neeson wielding a lightsaber is pretty awesome. As Qui-Gon Jinn, the Jedi Master teams up with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) in ღan epic fight to take down Darth Maul (ไRay Park).
‘Batman Begins’ (2005)
As Bruce Wayne’s (Christian Bale) mentor Henri Ducard in “Batman Begins,” Neeson trains the lost billionaire in Bhutan before he ve🍃ntures back to Gotham as the Dark Knight. Unbeknownst to Batman, his talented teacher is actually the leader of the cryptic League of Shadows, Ra’s al Ghul.
Though Ra’s plan to ruin Gotham 🦂doesn’t go as planned, those who cross him learn he’s a natural with a sword.
‘Taken’ (2008)
Neeson pla🅰ys former CIA operative-turned-bodyguard♔ Bryan Mills in the international thriller “Taken.” The gun-wielding hero beats the odds by saving his daughter (Maggie Grace) from human traffickers after she’s kidnapped in Paris.
While Mills’ “particular set of skills” are enough to strike fear into the hearts of bad guys everywhere, his threatening phone call to the kidna💫ppers is by far one of the film’s most memoജrable moments.
‘The A-Team’ (2010)
Revamping a classic TV show into a major motion picture can go horribly wrong, but Neeson stands🀅 out as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith in the “A-Team” remake. With Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copl꧅ey and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson by his side, this is one crew you don’t want to mess with.
‘The Grey’ (2011)
Audienꦉces are used to seeing Neeson battle evil people, not animals — which makes “The Grey” a major shakeup for the Irish star who, as John Ottway, struggles to survive in the Alaskan wilderness following a plane crash. Though the wolves are vicious, it’s a safe bet Ottway will still be breathing when the credit❀s roll.
‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ (2013)
You can always bank on an outrageous fight scene꧑ in the “Anchorman” flicks — and just like the 2004 original, the sequel’s network showdown is one for the books. As one of the leads of the History Channel, Neeson’s anchor is ready to kick Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) back to medieval t𝕴imes.
‘The Lego Movie’ (2014)
Even as a toy, Neeson knows how to bring it. As the v💜oice of the Good Cop/Bad🔯 Cop in “The Lego Movie,” the plastic policeman’s split personality often becomes problematic for the film’s protagonist, Emmet Brickowski (voiced by Chris Pratt).
While it’s n🍷ice to see — or, rather, hear — Neeson’s softer side, it doesn’t beat his turn as the intimidating officer🍸.
‘Non-Stop’ (2014)
If you thought dealing with 🅘snakes on a plane was a nightmare, try getting on Air Marshall Bill Marks’ bad side. With a terrorist threatening to kill a passenger every 20 minutes aboard a trans-Atlantic flight, Neeson is the on♏ly hope to thwart the sinister plan — in addition to making sure the plane lands in one piece. In Neeson we trust.