Neeson Shines in "The Grey"

Liam Neeson is back in “The Grey,” and this time leading a group of down-and-out oil workers through the depths of hell, as they try and survive a plane crash in the middle of Alaska.

Neeson is in the midst of a three-year run of lead roles, portraying him as a bad ass, take-no-prisoner character that would make Chuck Norris weep. Most will remember his role in “Taken,” a film that no doubt ruined most teenage girls' chances of ever going to Europe alone.

“The Grey” was directed by Joe Carnahan, who first teamed up with Neeson when he directed “The A-Team,” where Neeson played “Hannibal.”

In the film Neeson plays a professional hunter paid by the oil companies to shoot off the computer-enhanced wolves that make the “Twilight” wolves look like cartoon character from "Adult Swim." Neeson is sent out with a team on a small plane, which is no match for the Alaskan weather and crashes in the middle of nowhere.

The grungy survivors are left for dead, except for having Neeson to lead in a jouney for survival. The weather and wolves provide all the suspense you need, as the men are ultimately pitted into an all-out predator vs. man adventure.

“I was scared and on the edge of my seat the whole time, hoping they would make it out alive. I don’t want to see another wolf again,” said audience member Kandis Snyder after seeing “The Grey.”

The film is intense, even with the simple plot that we’ve all seen before. Neeson’s character gives the film an emotional and tough guy appeal.

Rotten Tomatoes, a popular film review website said this about the film: “The Grey' is an exciting tale of survival, populated with fleshed-out characters and a surprising philosophical agenda.”

As with any film that portrays dead animal carcasses and man vs. beast battles, this one also comes with a bit of controversy. On Jan. 19, The Province featured an article about the movie buying four wolf carcasses from a local trapper, two for props and two for the cast to eat. It didn’t take long for groups such as PETA and WildEarth Guardians to start drives to boycott the film.

 Open Road ( the film’s production company) responded by placing a fact sheet about the gray wolf on the film’s official website. Carnahan has responded by downplaying the significance of the violent wolves portrayed in the film, instead highlighting the significance of man’s interior struggle for survival.

Amazingly, the film took just 40 days to film and is based on the short story “Ghost  Walker” by Ian Mackenzie Jeffers.

The film is worth the watch, especially on the big screen on a dark wintery night. There are plenty of twists and even a little religious controversy throughout the film. Each character brings a special piece to the film that brings the audience into the film on a personal level.

As far as an R rated film goes, “The Grey” lives up to the rating. There’s plenty of gore and language to earn its rate.

With the Oscars around the corner, there will be plenty of buzz on other films, but this one is worth getting out seeing while it’s still on the big screen.

At a glance:
Rated-R
Runtime-1hr. 57 min.
Drama, Action & Adventure
Directed and Written by Joe Carnahan
Starring-Liam Neeson
Open Road Films
Opened number one for the weekend at an estimated $20 million.