The Grey

The Grey starts with Liam Neeson working as a security guard at a petroleum mining station somewhere in the northern regions of Alaska. He is a man devoid of hope and meaning, haunted by the memories of the woman he loved and lost. In this bleak frame of mind he boards a plane with some other workers and they fly south to Anchorage to enjoy their time off. However, for unknown reasons the plane crashes, a scene executed with great realism, and a handful of survivors, including Neeson, are stranded without hope of rescue in a hostile and brutal wilderness. The odds against them surviving are reduced when they become the target of a pack of wolves who are intent on protecting their territory. A gripping and exciting struggle of man versus nature naturally follows but The Grey is more than just a story of survival in the face of adversity. There is a good mixture of action and philosophy, with some characters questioning what they have to live for and if there is a higher power working to keep them alive. The tone is quite existential in this regards, especially from the point of view of Neeson’s character, but this dimension and the development of the characters along the way adds depth to the film and makes it more interesting. Liam Neeson is excellent in his role as the resourceful but jaded leader of the group. He is a fine actor with great screen presence, which is something that money cannot buy, and carries the film admirably on his broad shoulders. The cinematography is impressive, capturing the sweeping landscape of Alaska in all its beauty and brutality. The action scenes are well directed and the film has a good pace and balance. There is also a sense of realism, both in the characters and the action. Never for one moment do you feel that Liam Neeson will rip off his shirt and take on a pack of vicious wolves in the style of a die hard Bruce Willis. The Grey is a solid, interesting and entertaining film that is a good vehicle for Liam Nesson to flex his considerable acting muscles. 8/10