Review of The Grey (2012) by Karl G — 30 Aug 2014

Despite being a thoroughly generic plot, there is no denying that this is a pretty top notch survival-thriller. This film had alot of things going against it for me. 1) The rehashed plot line 2) I don't really like Liam Neeson 3) Its factual inaccuracy regarding wolf behavior/attacks on humans. Fortunately, Neeson is very good, the plot is deep enough to overwhelm its unoriginality, and I was able to suspend my disbelief regarding the wolves. Overall, I was really impressed by the power it manages to generate.

What makes the movie good isn't necessarily the action/survival aspects it offers. As I said, we've seen plenty of movies about a stranded group of survivors in the woods before. What pumps it up another level is the amount of intimacy it conveys. It really gets into the head of a man who knows he's going to die, and we walk with him as he relives and says goodbye to his memories both good and bad. While the backdrop remains a survival film, what it really boils down to is a regretful goodbye letter from someone not sure of where he's going. It is incredibly touching at times and is able to convey some serious emotional power. It is because of this intimate focus on an epic event that this movie is what it is.

As far as the action is concerned, it is quite good also. Has plenty of edge of your seat moments that really amp up the tension. It also has a real ere of unpredictability, as several characters who are set up to be prominent figures are quickly and apologetically dispatched. The sudden, brutal, and out of nowhere nature of the attacks really do there job of keeping the viewer off guard. The effects are very good. The plane crash scene is harrowing, and the wolves look excellent.

Again though, where the movie really excels is in its script and delivery. Is it a little too bleak for its own good at times? Maybe, but I enjoyed its cold, stark and nihilistic portrail of a story that is usually one of cautious optimism and overcoming adversity. The cast is very good. Neeson is interesting because while he is an emotional wreck and is terrified of the situation, he is a calming influence in an otherwise jittery and turbulent film. His size and physicality also play a big role in how effective he is in this movie. The rest of the cast is unknown, but very solid.

There are other aspects that really add alot to the movie as well such as the direction itself. Alot of really interesting shots that I have certainly never seen before. The way Carnahan conveys the moments between sleep and awake are far out and a really cool use of photography. The lighting, cinematography and score combine to make an excellently executed technical film with great visuals.

There are some flaws to be found. The biggest is the ending. I won't spoil it, but it leaves you a bit up in the air. I do like a cliffhanger ending now and again, but it seems more like they just didn't know how else to end the film. There are definitely some moments that made me yell at the screen saying 'You idiot!! No one would ever do that!!' These few flaws don't do anything to significantly detract from the finished product, but they certainly could have been improved.

When looking at this movie as a whole, it really manages to be something significantly better and deeper than the sum of its parts. Its desolate and hollow vibe serves the story very well, and its great script, above average acting, and technical execution combine to give us a very good survival thriller, but it raises itself above that genre to give something much more than a genre film. Very well done and powerful movie that I'd certainly recommend.