The Grey (2012)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mike S

  
  Frosty survival thriller, with a superb Liam Neeson! Very reminiscent of the movie "Alive", except here they don't resort to making a meal of the second pilot. Set in the harsh landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness, we follow a group of plane crash survivors, as they… More
  Frosty survival thriller, with a superb Liam Neeson! Very reminiscent of the movie "Alive", except here they don't resort to making a meal of the second pilot. Set in the harsh landscapes of the Alaskan wilderness, we follow a group of plane crash survivors, as they struggle against the elements and unforgiving weather conditions - which is only worsened later on when a pack of wolves pick up their scent and go on the prowl to hunt them down. You can always count on Neeson to fight to the last breath though (he is, after all, the guy who trained both Batman and Obi-Wan Kenobi). His fully-fledged performance as oil driller John Ottway, makes the "The Grey" anything but dull and dramatically colorless. In terms of negatives, however, there were a few things that kept the film from greatness. One is the anti-climactic ending, which wrapped things up in a rather disappointing fashion. There was also a repeated sensation of déjà vu, as it follows all the typical clichés of other man vs. nature films. A re-hash without much originality. Regardless of this though, it remains a tight, suspenseful and skillfully directed action-drama, that keeps you at the edge of your seat for its entire duration. And if you didn't before appreciate the luxuries of a warm, cozy bed, I can personally guarantee that you will after this. For more of my reviews, feel free to visit my movie page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Movie-Reviews/281824101875153

• Michael M

  
  Never have I been drawn into the environments of a film like The Grey in a long time. I was expecting a forgetable survival thriller but what I was given was a whole lot more. The Grey is skilfully directed and mixes dumb but genuine thrills with debatable philosophy. It's also… More
  Never have I been drawn into the environments of a film like The Grey in a long time. I was expecting a forgetable survival thriller but what I was given was a whole lot more. The Grey is skilfully directed and mixes dumb but genuine thrills with debatable philosophy. It's also quite psychological and I absolutely adored the character development. It's quite unexpected in everything it does and that's what pulls it from it's B movie tones and turns it top quality. Some people (like the person I went with) might not appreciate it's depth and study like I did but it's solid, scary and emotionally tragic all at the same time. Dont be put off, it may have a cheesy title and a ludicrous plot but guess what? In it's own enigmatic way, it's absolutely terrifying.

• c0up  

  
  'The Grey'. BRUTAL, intense, and some of the best natural imagery I've seen. A fantastic, God-questioning survival thriller. The harsh, Arctic landscape is brought wonderfully to life with some stunning cinematography and sound design. Watching the survivors plod… More
  'The Grey'. BRUTAL, intense, and some of the best natural imagery I've seen. A fantastic, God-questioning survival thriller. The harsh, Arctic landscape is brought wonderfully to life with some stunning cinematography and sound design. Watching the survivors plod through the snow while their feet sink, against the absolutely unforgiving, all encompassing wind was a beautiful sight to see and hear. Then there's that plane crash. Wow. Again, brutal destruction and had me in awe as much as that train crash in 'Super 8', but a hell of a lot more intense. God, death and the afterlife are all talked about extensively, and it never comes across as contrived. If you're put in the situation these men have faced, it's only natural, and I loved the direction the ending went in, after Neeson's cry for help. If anything, the acceptance of death was what this film was all about. Liam Neeson is channeling some serious hurt, and when you consider what he's been through personally, I'm sure he brought some of that pain to this role. It's a whole lot more than Liam Neeson vs Wolves, people!

• Tired of P

  
  courtesy of creative commons Question: Does anyone know why Liam's Neeson's latest movie is called The Grey? I recently saw The Grey and usually I write my reviews on the same day or relatively close to the viewing. However, this film, although excellent, is a hard one… More
  courtesy of creative commons Question: Does anyone know why Liam's Neeson's latest movie is called The Grey? I recently saw The Grey and usually I write my reviews on the same day or relatively close to the viewing. However, this film, although excellent, is a hard one to write about. Why? Well, I ask the first question above. There is no mention on the color grey in the movie so there is not an immediate reason on why it's called that. So I have a theory that took me a while to construct in my mind. Indulge me for a moment... The film starts out with Liam Neeson's character writing a letter. His words are softly spoken in his native Irish accent. There is a deep emotional tone to the letter that drew me right into the story. Who the letter is to exactly is unclear, but it is obviously to someone he loves dearly. (I read later that the director asked Liam Neeson to write the letter in real life - use his own words to tell how much he loved his real life wife - the late Natasha Richardson). There is a longing and sadness connected to his words but yet still no mention of the color grey. I really thought I was about to see just a wilderness survival story according to the previews but The Grey, as I found out very quickly, had a profoundly different message. There are two things certain in this world: You are born and you die. That is it! Everything in between is really a toss-up. Life and death are the only black and white things in this world; and since I studied a lot of color theory being an interior designer for two decades, color or the lack of color takes on deep meaning to me. You are born pure and innocent. As you age, the innocence becomes muddied with life experiences. Is that a bad thing? Well, it depends on how you live your life, I suppose. Everything then fades to black when life ends. I guess you could connect evil and good to black and white but that is not what I found to be hidden in the film. The Grey represents life when you are faced with death and surviving is all that matters. Well, I should tell you a bit more about the film. After the letter is written we find out the story takes place in Alaska with oil-drillers and their exit out. A band of rough-around-the-edges crew all board a plane but there is a crash and the survivors are faced with the task of surviving the cold, injuries and a pack of wolves that have no fear of humans. Some of the story was predictable - the group of men that survived had to figure out who was the leader (alpha) and who should follow him (omega). Just like the pack of wolves that surround these men, in the hierarchy in any group someone steps forward to lead and some always fight or disagree because they do not want to be led. Animals and humans are very similar and The Grey equates the two species just trying to survive, mentally and physically. Yes, the movie had some extreme violence, strong emotional moments and harrowing details that make you squirm. I had my hands over my eyes a few times, and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up, but when the movie comes to the conclusion I was left emotionally drained. Not so much with the blood and guts of the film but the meaning of this film that was conveyed. The Grey is NOT a typical Hollywood film and you must keep your heart open to obtain the message. Liam Neeson was fantastic in The Grey - maybe his best acting to date. Yes, I mean it. When you watch this film, pay close attention to the opening letter and keep it in the back of your mind throughout the film. As I already mentioned, this movie was not just a plane crash/survival story but a human struggle fable. Based on the short story, "Ghost Walker" by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers, who also co-wrote the screenplay with the director. Last point: I loved the ending. With some of my research I discovered many did not, but for someone who sees a lot of films I felt this was the appropriate way to end the story. Well done. My favorite part: Liam Neeson. My lease favorite part: Not sure I can pinpoint anything. Directed by Joe Carnahan, 1984 Private Defense Contractors, 2012 Starring: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Dallas Roberts, Nonso Anozie, and Joe Anderson. Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Rating: R Length: 117 minutes Review: 8 out of 10 First published on www.expatspost.com

• Raymond W

  
  The Grey is an unusually philosophical and surprisingly moving film about survival in the wilderness. It's got really great characters that the filmmakers have really taken time to fill out/give weight to. The wolves are done really well, it's exciting, there is a lot of… More
  The Grey is an unusually philosophical and surprisingly moving film about survival in the wilderness. It's got really great characters that the filmmakers have really taken time to fill out/give weight to. The wolves are done really well, it's exciting, there is a lot of suspense, stunning cinematography and a great score by Marc Streitenfeld.

• Lenny M

  
  I was kind of disappointed, I had high expectations for some reason, the trailer was amazing. Similar to a lot of movies, the trailer made it seem like Liam Neeson was going to take on a pack of wolves and just simply own them. He was going to take his certain set of… More
  I was kind of disappointed, I had high expectations for some reason, the trailer was amazing. Similar to a lot of movies, the trailer made it seem like Liam Neeson was going to take on a pack of wolves and just simply own them. He was going to take his certain set of "skeels" from Taken and apply them in the wild. It was more like "The Edge" but with a less sophisticated script. Liam was great but he had no support, it would have been better if it were just him trying to survive in more of a Tom Hanks situation. I need to watch the film again because my judgement was sort of clouded due to feeling mislead by the trailer. In the movie, they made the wolves look like mythological beasts, not wolves. What a crotchety ending, leaves you with blue rocket balls.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day."</i> In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans are a pack of… More
  <i>"Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day."</i> In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans are a pack of wolves who see them as intruders. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> "The Grey" is amazing. Not necessarily for what you would think. In "The Grey" Alaskan oil workers survive a horrendous airplane crash on route to Anchorage. They are hunted down by ferocious Grey wolves. According to Liam Neeson's Ottway the Greys' territory covers 300 miles, and the den's kill radius is 30 miles. They are on their turf. Director and Writer Joe Carnahan's vision is stark and emotionally haunting. Neeson plays Ottway, who is an expert marksman who kills wolves threatening Alaskan oil pipeline workers. Neeson embodies a sad gravitas in Ottway. "The Grey" is about how each of us faces death. "The Grey" is poignantly profound and sublime. Carnahan and Ian MacKenzie Jeffers's screenplay based on Jeffers's short story "Ghost Walker" is surprising in narrative and catharsis. Director Carnahan creates the existential arctic wasteland and the paradox of man as prey. Masanobu Takayanagi's cinematography is haunting-seeing the wolves' eyes glowing against the darkness and snow is terrifying and stunning. There is a visceral sense of danger in the icy air that fuels "The Grey". Ottway leads the group to the forest ridge line as a means to their salvation. Liam Neeson is awesome. "The Grey" is powerful, because of him. As Ottway, he is a compassionate broken hero journeying through redemption. Neeson is so convincing as a man taking action in the face of his own grave fear. Neeson has an amazing scene where Ottway, recalls the poem of his drunk and abusive father, "Into the fray... Live and die on this day." Neeson captures the conflicting toil of a man, who had little to live for now fighting to survive and protect the lives of others. He is powerful. In context this is somberly poetic; "The Grey" is about how each of us reconciles death. T.S. Eliot wrote: "This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper." With inspired contrast Neeson and Carnahan in "The Grey" the hero never folds and fights on. "The Grey" is provocative and subtly profound.

• Al S

  
  A wickedly pulse-pounding and wild ride from start to finish. An instant classic. A fresh, furious and tremendously original piece of action film. An adrenaline-charged action-packed edge of your seat thriller that will knock you out. A powerful and outstanding film. It`s gritty,… More
  A wickedly pulse-pounding and wild ride from start to finish. An instant classic. A fresh, furious and tremendously original piece of action film. An adrenaline-charged action-packed edge of your seat thriller that will knock you out. A powerful and outstanding film. It`s gritty, authentic and feels really real with its characters and atmosphere. This movie kicks all sorts of ass and keeps your heart-pounding. A bone-chilling and exhilerating thrill-machine that never lets up. It`s loaded with non-stop action and searing suspense. The action is fresh and shocking and the character development is superb. An incrediable, surprisingly moving and unforgettable movie. Director, Joe Carnahan crafts a rich, stylish, thrilling and brilliant new breed of adventure and his best film since Narc. Liam Neeson gives a raw, intense and electrifying performance. Neeson never ceases to amaze with his acting and shows he will never back down from a challenge. Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts and Frank Grillo give strong and great performances. An action film that can not be stopped and is packed with power.

• paul o

  
  Its pretty much Taken with wolves. Surprisingly, theres a lot of symbolism and human reflection which adds a lot more depth than your typical survival action flick. If you love great effects and Liam Neeson, then this is a classic!

• Adriel L

  
  It is a powerful as poetry. What is an otherwise bland, cliche plot is heightened to a state of thrills and surprising depth. By and by, minute by minute, the flesh and bone of the characters are exposed of their contents: complex, deep, and truthful, sometimes frightening and at best… More
  It is a powerful as poetry. What is an otherwise bland, cliche plot is heightened to a state of thrills and surprising depth. By and by, minute by minute, the flesh and bone of the characters are exposed of their contents: complex, deep, and truthful, sometimes frightening and at best times poignant. The artistry weaved like a poem through and through a cascade of climactic thrill moments to melodramatic, emotional clarity and spiritual drama.

• Jason C

  
  Recently, Liam Neeson has carved out quite the niche for himself as a reliable leading man in action movies. Granted, "Taken", "The A-Team", and "Unknown" are far from classics, each of the films have more than enough entertainment value. The best of… More
  Recently, Liam Neeson has carved out quite the niche for himself as a reliable leading man in action movies. Granted, "Taken", "The A-Team", and "Unknown" are far from classics, each of the films have more than enough entertainment value. The best of Neeson's action movies, to this point, is "The Grey". "The Grey" is a tale of survival. There are no "bad guys", the antagonists are poor luck, cruel Alaskan elements, and of course, a menacing pack of wolves. There's a reason to care about each of the character's survival, even if it's the result of overly sentimental bonding. The main complaint I've come across about the film is the ending. Those who criticize the finale are wrong, it's perfect. Ultimately, "The Grey", is unconventional and a worthwhile experience.

• Wildaly M

  
  I've always liked Liam Neeson in his films and he doesn't disappoint in this film. Good solid plot and while the ending may not be the most satisfying, the process getting there is certainly heart-wrenching.

• Cory T

  
  'The Edge' was a compelling survivalist tale but it contained scenes of absurd ingenuity that occasionally detracted from it. Carnahan strips down his somber struggle to stave off death by both augmenting the testosterone elements and lathering on the self-serious… More
  'The Edge' was a compelling survivalist tale but it contained scenes of absurd ingenuity that occasionally detracted from it. Carnahan strips down his somber struggle to stave off death by both augmenting the testosterone elements and lathering on the self-serious existentialism. Although it does possess cliches of a creature feature with the group systematically being eviscerated by the wolves, 'The Grey rises above the detritus with unrelenting man-vs-nature soul-searching. Carnahan demonstrates his beautiful lyricism with a harrowing scene where Neeson is like a ferryman on the River Styx by guiding a bleeding man to his death with distracting questions such as "who do you love?". Neeson is not a cockamamie superhuman in the elegaic 'The Grey', he is a leader who is not foolish enough to show fear.

• Lady D

  
  I've heard lots of mixed opinions on this one and think that most people feel it doesn't live up to expectations. For me, it varies throughout, acting-wise it exceeded my expectations as I'd expected another Action type movie, in fact Liam Neeson in my opinion gave a… More
  I've heard lots of mixed opinions on this one and think that most people feel it doesn't live up to expectations. For me, it varies throughout, acting-wise it exceeded my expectations as I'd expected another Action type movie, in fact Liam Neeson in my opinion gave a great performance here. The problem at times for me, was that it was a little too real, which resulted in a long, drawn out film, with almost predictable outcomes. There were some very deep moments, which did give the film a bit of a depressing tone, but the moments felt real and for once this wasn't a Hollywood film that concentrated only on the effects and suspense of a survival film.

• Dan S

  
  A well-detailed man vs. nature story concerning a troubled wolf hunter (Liam Neeson), on the verge of killing himself, who finds a reason to live again after he and the oil rig workers he works with crash-land in the unforgiving terrain of the blizzard-ridden Alaskan iceland. They… More
  A well-detailed man vs. nature story concerning a troubled wolf hunter (Liam Neeson), on the verge of killing himself, who finds a reason to live again after he and the oil rig workers he works with crash-land in the unforgiving terrain of the blizzard-ridden Alaskan iceland. They soon discover that they have inadvertently invaded a territory hunted by a gang of wolves, and if they hope to survive, they will need Neeson's smarts and guidance to usher them to safety. What could have been another "Liam Neeson is so badass!" film is actually a thoughtful, precise character study combined with a story that is gripping all the way through. Director Joe Carnahan's script does not pull fake punches, despite the temptation to go the cliche, comfortable route. Instead, Neeson's weathered, internally and externally beaten character has our sympathy and attention from the start, and the development of other supporting characters is given attention, and as a result we naturally care and root for these guys throughout. It manages to strike a fair balance between violent, exciting scenes as well as parts where we get to know more about these particular characters. The result is a very, very good film, and one more big success for one of the most dependable actors of our time in Neeson.

• Kevin k

  
  Grade: B-(82%) Before the film began, I believed it was going to be Liam Neeson beating the crap out of a pack of wolves in the freezing cold. After leaving the theater I got the violence but a whole lot more. "The Grey" may not have scene after scene of violence and… More
  Grade: B-(82%) Before the film began, I believed it was going to be Liam Neeson beating the crap out of a pack of wolves in the freezing cold. After leaving the theater I got the violence but a whole lot more. "The Grey" may not have scene after scene of violence and blood, but it shows fully fleshed out characters, impressive dialogue, and a stage that tells a tale of survival between humans and wolves. Ottway (Liam Neeson) works for an oil rig as a sniper who studies and kills wolves who come too close to his co-workers in the brutal cold. But he is unhappy with his life. His co-workers are ruthless as most of them are criminals who have no other place to go and he writes to his wife a note that seems pointless to him. Not long after he tries to commit suicide that he decides to take a plane away from the plant. The plane malfunctions and crashes leaving Ottway and six other survivors in the brutal cold with little food, alcohol and not enough winter clothing. As they try to find survivors and build fires, the group stumbles upon a pack of wolves feeding on the dead bodies. It is here that they figure out that the wolves feel threatened by their presence and decide attack and kill one person at a time. The story is simple at first but actually becomes more complex as the film continues. Yes wolves are killing people and people are killing wolves but there's more to that. The plane crashed in a territory owned by these pack of wolves and they feel threatened by the remaining survivors especially they are near their den where they live. It is actually a very realistic scenario that I must give Joe Carnahan, the director and writer of the film, as much credit as I can. Now there is violence in this movie that is brutal to look at but not gratuitous. You will be a wolf bite into a man's face but you won't see gallons of blood burst everywhere. The violence is brutal enough to make you cringe but not to the point of leaving the theater (though an old couple did leave after the first violent scene). While there is violence, it is not the backbone of "The Grey." Where the movie really shines is through the dialogue between the survivors that is both entertaining but also fleshes out each character. The film shows each person's strength and weaknesses and show they use them to stick together against the pack of wolves. The dialogue around the campfire is strong as the audience tries to calm down from the brutal attack that happened minutes ago. There was not one time when I thought this film was boring. "The Grey" is an impressive movie especially since it came out in January. Usually, films in January aren't that great but it is safe to say that "The Grey" the one of the best films this month. It's a story about survival and human nature that should not be pushed away.

• Spencer S

  
  What I've seen for advertising of this film is certainly deceptive. Going in I believed this would be an action packed, man versus beast sort of film with a tagline like, "Liam Neeson fights off wolves." In reality there isn't much in the way of action packed… More
  What I've seen for advertising of this film is certainly deceptive. Going in I believed this would be an action packed, man versus beast sort of film with a tagline like, "Liam Neeson fights off wolves." In reality there isn't much in the way of action packed scenes of a singular hero fighting off the elements and coming off on top. This film isn't about winning or losing, or a seminal figure taking nature by the throat and showing it that man is the most ferocious of all. It's more about man's fight to survive within nature without the same advantages as they've come to know, cut off from anything but the bare white wasteland. As the savagery of the wolves that surround the crash site of these Alaskan camp drillers and factory workers becomes all too sudden and evil, the men can only wonder about their state as human beings, men, and where their souls will end up. They don't know if the barren tundra is their last place of refuge and the sight of their impending deaths, or maybe the last low point before their salvation. The wolves are not the villains of the story, or the warring ways of nature, but they lead to the men facing their deaths with instability, fear, and a lack of care for their future. Death is either inevitable or welcome in the cold, ravaged landscape of the terrain, the Alaskan wilderness all around them. The film isn't centered on Neeson, and he isn't the sole hero of the film who tries to kill off the wolves and save everyone who wanted to survive. Instead it's more of an ensemble. Every one of these men has internal problems, frustrations, and fear edged in every word they speak. They are constantly running from these animals that are trying to protect themselves, but are also in the process of testing the men to see whether they want to live. It's partly about sick revenge on the wolves' part, but more often than not it's solely concerning the plight of the survivors. Every one of the ensemble has a back story, and we visit their lives through their possessions, visions of their children, and decidedly important flashbacks that reveal more about Ottway (Neeson) then meets the eye. It's not the best send up from Taken, which cemented Neeson in our minds as a action star who could kick ass and take names, but it still shows the depth that Neeson has given in countless performances and showcases the talents of several unknowns as well as fan favorite Dermot Mulroney and songbird Joe Anderson. Though clichéd in certain areas, it's neither trivial nor mundane. Also, there's very little grey.

• Mark H

  
  The Grey isn't a bad picture, but it isn't a great one either. There's really nothing in it that pushes this past an entertaining diversion of the man vs. nature variety. We have an aircraft that bites the dust in a desolate area with a gang of oilmen aboard. It's… More
  The Grey isn't a bad picture, but it isn't a great one either. There's really nothing in it that pushes this past an entertaining diversion of the man vs. nature variety. We have an aircraft that bites the dust in a desolate area with a gang of oilmen aboard. It's up to the survivors to maintain order and survive in grueling conditions of nature. A film should be judged on its own merits but comparisons here are unavoidable. I kept thinking of other movies while watching this: Deliverance, Never Cry Wolf, The Edge, Into the Wild. 1965?s The Flight of the Phoenix with James Stewart had the same basic setup. But where that classic took the narrative in a wholly original direction, The Grey is content to depict a tale that is decidedly less inventive. Any production that recalls earlier efforts, should strive to be better. Where The Grey succeeds, is the care it takes to develop realistic people. It's barely an action film. Call it a character study. It exhibits remarkable humanity. At one point faithful John curses God out of frustration. His "Oh why God, why?!" moment is kind of a novelty in an adventure of this sort. These days, I suppose any flick that tries to balance drama with action is something of a anomaly. I'll give The Grey points for that....oh and a plane crash that will make me think twice the next time I board a plane. http://fastfilmreviews.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/the-grey/

• Nate Z

  
  I've always been fascinated with survival thriller/horror, where we think step-by-step with the characters through an unlikely scenario. I greatly enjoyed Frozen, a horror movie about three teens stranded on a ski lift, and Buried was in my top ten list for 2010. I enjoy the… More
  I've always been fascinated with survival thriller/horror, where we think step-by-step with the characters through an unlikely scenario. I greatly enjoyed Frozen, a horror movie about three teens stranded on a ski lift, and Buried was in my top ten list for 2010. I enjoy the thought exercise and find the scenarios easily empathetic as long as people don't make boneheaded decisions. Director Joe Carnahan has been paying his bills as of late with stylized, overdone, and generally overblown action movies like Smokin' Aces and The A-Team. I would not have expected Carnahan to deliver anything that could be described as nuanced or meditative, but lo and behold The Grey is a survival thriller that's as thoughtful and emotional as it is viscerally exhilarating. The Grey is the first great movie of 2012 and I'm astounded that it was released in January, the dumping ground for cinematic dreck. We follow a group of grunts working on an oil pipeline way out in the northern Alaskan territory. They're heading south for some R&R when their plane crashes due to electrical issues. Ottway (Liam Neeson) and seven other men are the lone survivors. While checking for supplies, they discover a pack of wolves feasting on some of the choicer corpses. Ottway is a wolf expert, hired by the oil company to patrol the grounds and hunt antagonistic wolves. He explains that wolves have a hunting radius of 300 miles and a kill radius of 30 within the den. It is uncertain where these men find themselves, so they bundle up and head south, hoping to escape the predators, find food and water, and discover a way to help. The Grey is a harrowing, haunting, and intense thriller masterfully played by Carnahan. The threat is real and brutal, enough that it convinces the men to leave the safety of the plane wreckage to possibly escape the wolf kill radius. We're told that wolves are the only animal that will kill out of vengeance (look out Sarah Palin). The attacks are vicious and the violence is bloody and occasionally shocking, though it never seems gratuitous. The special effects and canine animatronics are seamlessly integrated. The sound design for this movie is exceptional, probably the best use of sound to fashion anxiety since 2007's No Country for Old Men or even Spielberg's War of the Worlds. The sounds of the wolf pack echo around the theater, completely keeping you off guard, disorienting the audience. Carnahan creates such a vivid picture of dread that we're convinced that the wolves could sic at any moment. And when they do the editing becomes chaotic, mimicking the ferocity of the animals and depicting the frenzied fear of the attacked. I was a terrible bundle of nerves throughout most of this movie. The plane crash is an exemplary sequence of terror, capturing the terrifying moments from Ottway's limited point of view. The rest of the movie doesn't get any less tense just because they're on stable footing. There's one scene where the wolves attack a guy who has fallen back from the group. Carnahan brilliantly captures the helpless reality by showing the men trying to race back in knee-high snow. They can only stomp so far while the man is ripped apart in the background. The action sequences, though to be fair they're really more suspense pieces, are the most nerve-wracking I've endured since the brilliant Best Picture winner, The Hurt Locker. Of course these being life and death stakes, there is plenty of death, as the men are generally picked off one by one, though not all by the pack of wolves. The frigid elements are just as dangerous as the killer wolves. The men could just as easily freeze to death. The need for shelter and food is dire (the men even joke about the famous cannibalism from Alive). One of them is suffering just from his brain being unable to acclimate to the elevated attitude. That's almost enviable considering the doom that constantly hangs over the other survivors. Naturally there's some friction between the survivors as far as the best course of action. Ottway has assumed Alpha dog status thanks to his expertise on wolves and the Arctic climate, but that does not mean that the rest of the men follow lockstep. Give the alarming situation, it will be in these men's best interest to work together for survival. Some of the men chafe at being what to do but the movie doesn't drags out this conflict, thankfully, because jockeying for power positions seems like an absurd waste of time. There are heavier issues at play. The impact of the movie would be blunted if the characters came across as one-dimensional; then we wouldn't care about their fate. Carnahan and co-writer Ian Mackenzie Jeffers, based on Jeffers' short story "Ghost Walker," find creative ways to enrich and reveal the character of these lone men. They feel believable and their reactions to the implausible dangers seem plausible, keeping us invested. Ottway keeps flashing back to an image of his wife (Anne Openshaw) for strength, this angelic brunette telling him not to worry. It's what he has to hold onto, though when we learn more about the context of this image it becomes even more meaningful. One character has had enough struggling and has no will power to continue. He argues that whatever life he may return to is no reward. The thrills and scares are what are to be expected, but The Grey is also a much more thoughtful and intellectually stimulating picture than you may have hoped. Carnahan's script covers a wide array of survival tactics without breaking from the reality of its premise. It's just interesting to watch a group of men use their wits to make best use of their dwindling supplies and dire situation. It becomes a game that the audience plays, systematically judging every choice and assessing if we would follow suit. Beforehand, the men engage in a theological discussion regarding the existence of God, faith, the belief that there is a divine plan. The men are fighting for their survival but having an existential crisis all the same, trying to supply meaning to the horrific, find reasons to keep fighting. "We crashed going 400 miles per hour and we survived. That has to mean something," one of them reasons. Or it all could just be very bad luck. Ottway at one point, an admitted non-believer in a higher power, bellows to the sky for something, anything. His desperation is effective and turns what could have been trite into a nice character moment. One of the men shares a memory of his daughter, who would wake him up by gently dangling her hair in his face. It's a touching moment and when that same character meets an untimely end and is helped to the other side by a vision of that same daughter, it becomes profoundly moving (the quick snap to reality is a jarring point for grisly comparison). The Grey has plenty more on its mind than making an audience jump. It also wants to make the audience think and, in the end, feel genuine emotion. The ending may rankle some who felt, especially with the advertising, that the film was going to be a two-hour Neeson ass-kicking vehicle, but for me it was fitting and the only way this story could have ended. Though let me advise all potential ticket-buyers to stay during the end credits for a small bit that offers a tad more resolution, though still leaves as much to be determined by the viewer. It's not exactly ambiguous considering how things are left. Neeson (Unknown, Clash of the Titans) has settled nicely into his newest incarnation as middle-aged ass-kicker, such an odd path for the man who famously portrayed Oskar Schindler. At some level, it's below an actor of Neeson's standards to be running through such genre frills, but it's also a joy to see someone who can really, truly act give gravitas to his men of action. After he delivered his warning in Taken, I was completely on board and ready to watch this man bust some skulls. Beyond the physical challenges, the role really puts Neeson through an emotional wringer and the man gives a strong, stirring performance. You'd be glad to have this man in any predicament. The rest of the cast fill out their parts well, with Dermot Mulroney (The Family Stone) making the best use of his time onscreen to create a character. The Grey is a startling movie; horrific, jolting, thrilling, moving, beautiful, philosophical, and extremely captivating. Carnahan has crafted an exciting movie that transcends genre. There were moments so tense that I was chewing on my knuckles. There were moments so intense I felt like I had to look away. And there were moments so poignant that tears welled up in my eyes. I look forward to watching this movie again and finding even more at work. No grey area here, this is one truly excellent movie. Nate's Grade: A

• danny d

  
  liam neeson has become a garbage time guarantee the past few years, and the grey may be the best of all of his early year action films. in some ways the film was a formulaic survival film, especially in terms of story structure. however, the cinematography and overall look of the… More
  liam neeson has become a garbage time guarantee the past few years, and the grey may be the best of all of his early year action films. in some ways the film was a formulaic survival film, especially in terms of story structure. however, the cinematography and overall look of the film was simply phenomenal, the shot selection and dialogue very good for a film like this, and the film balanced perfectly the transitions from patience, to philosophy, to terror. the film felt hitchcockian in many ways, and the way scenes were built and executed brought me to points of awe on multiple occasions. the humanist vs. faith themes were well handled despite arriving at different conclusions from where i stand, and overall this is a wonderful film and an early surprise for 2012.

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