THE GREY

Photos courtesy of Open Road Films (2011)

Liam Neeson battles wolves and arctic conditions in the action film, THE GREY.

Neeson is Ottway, a sniper who protects oil drillers while they operate in desolate areas. His most recent job has him with the usual band of misfits, malcontents, ex-cons and jerks, as they head overseas for a job. In the midst of their travels, their plane hits a vicious storm that crashes the plane, killing most on board.

The few survivors are marooned in the wilderness in subzero temperatures with a den of wolves that are hungry for their next meal.

　

It isn’t often that action-adventure films offer substance, let alone suspense and intensity, but THE GREY offers all three in one lean, mean feature.

Although the plot is simplistic, a group of men stranded in the wilderness with only their wits to battle the conditions and a pack of wild of dogs, the lengths at which these characters are examined is impressive for the genre. Each individual is presented as an archetype of sorts, the grizzled leader, the loud-mouth, the thug, etc., etc. Yet writer-director Joe Carnahan employs dreamlike visuals to reveal the innermost thoughts and emotions of these rugged men, and creates well-rounded characters who we can understand, if not excuse. This may be an afterthought to most viewers, as the action and brilliantly executed moments of peril deliver the necessary excitement and drive.

Neeson is as good as advertised. The veteran actor has carved out a niche for himself, as the cinema savior for the cold winter months, a rugged cutthroat, a tormented man who deep down has a righteous soul. Neeson brings a wisdom to each of his roles, and yet he’s still young enough, and buff enough, to seem plausible as an action star.

The other stars are the wolves and the arctic landscape. With a winter release date, the arctic conditions seem even more bitter, and Carnahan’s use of the wolves brings back memories of JAWS.

THE GREY is a complete action-adventure, one where the character development and atmosphere are equally as impressive as the stunts and special effects.

Grade: B+