So just 27 days into the new year and already we have one of the biggest surprises to hit the theaters.

Let me begin this review by saying that I had VERY low expectations for The Grey. When I first saw the trailer, i literally rolled my eyes and dismissed the film. You see, I believe that Liam Neeson has become the new whore of Hollywood. He's in everything from Clash of the Titans to Battleship (ugh). Don't get me wrong, I love Liam Neeson. But I love the dramatic Liam Neeson (see Kinsey). Not the cliched badass action hero he's become. The man is 59 for god's sake. He was awesome in Taken and Hollywood decided to drive that role straight into the ground. So when I first heard about The Grey, I was expecting another Liam Neeson VS the world film, but instead of the entire country of France, he was fighting every wolf that's ever been born.

But I digress.

The Grey revolves around a depressed marksman named Ottway. Ottway lives on an oil rig where he protects his fellow employees by sniping the s hit out of the wilderness that surrounds them. Ottway and several of his coworkers crowd into a plane and travel home, when surprise! The plane crashes onto the most unforgiving mountain in the world (including Splash Mountain). Ottway and a handful of men are left stranded and must seek refuge in the harsh terrain.

So a pretty straightforward story by all means. However The Grey is anything but your standard survival movie.

Instead, you'll find a film that's beautifully filmed, tightly woven, and incredibly relentless. Seriously The Grey packs a powerful punch. There are two scenes that exemplify this. The first is the plane crash. This movie features, BY FAR, the most realistic and terrifying plane crash ever depicted on the big screen. I've watched all the video nasties and never once have I had to turn away from a film. This is the FIRST time I almost tucked my head between my legs and cried like a little b itch in the movie theatre (Marley and Me not included). The sound alone is practically unbearable. After the scene was over, everyone in the audience let out an audible "sigh." Immediately following this crash comes the second best scene of the film. I'm not going to spoil anything, but Liam Neeson has to guide an injured passenger through death. The scene is both heart wrenching and unique. It is by no means cliched and might bring about a few man tears. After surviving these two scenes, I came to realize that The Grey deserved my unbridled attention.

Now granted, these scenes occur at the 30 minute mark. So the film spikes a bit early. What follows is a relentless and unwavering tale of survival.

So about the wolves. Obviously this is a huge part of the film. At first I was a little weary of their presence. They seemed a little TOO strategic and a little TOO cunning. After the film was over, I did some research and found out that wolves really do act the way they did in The Grey. I didn't realize how big of a threat they could pose and I totally underestimated their horrific potential. They really WILL seek out the weakest in a group and attack that one individual before fleeing.

As far as the direction is concerned, Joe Carnahan did a superb job. Now Carnahan's filmography includes Narc, Smokin Aces, and the A-Team. So he's a bit of a mixed back. But he's in full form this time around.

The acting is superb in The Grey, although Neeson ultimately steals the show.

The Grey is also surprisingly deep and complex at times. it wrestles with some big topics and everything feels very believable. When Neeson calls on God, you can relate.

Now the film isn't perfect. The animatronics/CGI is a little iffy and took me out of the film a bit. Furthermore, I wish the film focused on survival as a whole rather than emphasizing the wolves. I wish this film was Neeson VS nature, not Neeson VS wolves. Lastly, there are a few cheap scares and some pieces of dialogue which are a bit too on the nose.

but then we come to the final showdown. I won't spoil anything, but the last 10 minutes of the film are downright spectacular. It reminded me of Into the Wild, where an individual prepares for his final showdown with nature. The cinematography is gorgeous and strangely poetic.

So my final verdict...

The Grey is relentless, action packed wallop of a film. Although it can be tough to get through, you'll walk away satisfied if you stick through to the end.

Lastly, and most importantly, WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE CREDITS ARE OVER BEFORE LEAVING THE THEATERS. There's an additional scene at the end that really makes the film. In fact, it's probably the most important last frame I've ever seen in a film (after the credits are over that is). It says so much by showing so little.

I'm wavering between a B+ and an A- on this on. Go see it in theater.

Wow, great review. Makes me want to leave the house right now an see the film. Will see it soon. Nice work, Penguin!

Thanks Leitskev! You should definitely go see it. Unless you have an imax screen in your living room, you need to see it in theaters. at home won't do it justice. my friend has acrophobia and he was a little uneasy at times haha

Great review, Will. I'm looking forward to this one, even more now after a good review from yourself.

One problem...have to wait until the 16th of Feb to see it, that's the release date here in Oz >

Steve

Yeah, top review a.p!

I won't be seeing the film but I really enjoyed your comments!!

Thanks guys! Appreciate the kind words. Let me know if you end up seeing the film.

Its a damn good movie. I didn't expect much from the trailer, but after all the good reviews came in I decided it be worth checking out. And it was for sure.

Good movie...I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Existential look at life and death in an environment where man is taken back into more primitive times to face a deadly foe.

SPOILERS

Numerous things in the film don't make much sense...they cross a major rivine with a River...only to be attacked by the Wolves at the bottom. Qute how the Wolves got there isn't clear.

Neeson's character also seems to be strangely immune from hypothermia. He gets drenched in a river in freezing temperatures, but is able to relax on the bank and carry on as though nothing has happened.

Despite the presence of several of these types of events, the film doesn't lose you.

Well worth the visit to the Cinema.

SPOILERS!!

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much better than I predicted; despite a few minor issues with believability and character decision making.

The first 30 minutes in particular are very intense and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat.

MORE SPOILERS!!!!

I also think the 3rd Act/Climax is quiet ballsy from a script POV. Interesting decisions made there.

My concerns on story:

-I wasn't sold on the decision to leave the plane and Ottway's feeling that no one would come for them anytime soon. I disagree, even if it's a chartered flight, it's still tracked.

- I didn't like the jumping the ravine idea. No way that guy makes the initial jump... and how the wolves got across so fast.

- Hypothermia anyone?

In all honesty, that's all the gripes that I have with the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Like I mentioned above, the first 30 minutes are great:

- A very realistic and griping plane crash.
- A very dramatic death, one of the best death scenes I have seen in a long, long time.
- The first wolf attack and the moment where the eyes light up. Crazy.

Again, I enjoyed the fact that they did not close the story with an epic man vs alpha wolf fight. It's not what the story was about. So people where a little let down in our showing, but I did not mind it.

Stew

A solid survival flick, but I didn't like it as much as some of the other reviewers.  I'd call it "Alive" but with wolves.  Both movies are highly existential and introspective.  One of the survivors of the crash even references Alive.  

The crash scene, IMO, was the most memorable part of the film.  Not sure how they created those sounds, but Jesus, you really feel like you're in a plane about to slam into the ground.

Also, the scene where the wolves' glowing eyes appear in the darkness was a classic, "holy shitt" moment.

But after they leave the wreckage, I began to find the existential banter droning and redundant.  The script starts to connect its dots in a very familiar way, as the wolf pack picks the men off one by one, but giving them enough time in between attacks to allow them to reminisce about their lives.

The size of the pack seemed to fluctuate, and as someone else mentioned, they often seemed too cerebral.   I've seen Neeson in interviews mention that this pack is comprised of some sort of super-wolves, but the script never clarifies that.

The inconsistency with the river scene was already mentioned, and it is annoying that the director didn't bother to show us how Neeson just shook off the cold.

The ending, meh.  That would have been a fight worth seeing.

Overall, Neeson does a good job of carrying the film in his bruising, stoic style.  But I wouldn't say the story blazed any trails that haven't been tread before.  A good rental.

Saw this last night. Loved the movie especially the plane crash, however I really didn't like the ending at all.  I agree with the other reviews about the hypothermia, a little unrealistic I thought that the icy river seemingly had no effect on him. Overall I thought it was good, not great,  but worth seeing.  Marvin.

OK. I did not wait for those last credits... what the hell happened?

Quoted from Andrew OK. I did not wait for those last credits... what the hell happened?

MAJOR SPOILERS


MAJOR SPOILERS









The last image shows the flanks of the alpha wolf taking its last couple of breaths.

In other words, the main guy survives.

Pretty much changes the entire message of the film.

MORE MAJOR SPOILERS

MORE MAJOR SPOILERS




Wasn't it Ottway's head resting on the wolf?  To me the final image left it inconclusive as to whether or not Ottway was alive, or they were dying together, or one had survived and one hadn't.  

SPOILERS

I assumed that both Ottway and the wolf were dying together.

All I saw was the wolf dying.

I never noticed Ottway in the shot.


Weirdly according to this it shows them both, but Ottway is still alive:

"After the credits there is an extra scene that shows Ottway (Liam Neeson) still alive and laying beside the wolf."


http://www.mediastinger.com/the-grey-2012-extra-scene-after-the-credits/

Most people seem to say that it shows Ottway lying his head on the wolf as it dies. So he won the fight and must have been alive to lie on top of it....but I don't know.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films All I saw was the wolf dying. I never noticed Ottway in the shot. Weirdly according to this it shows them both, but Ottway is still alive: "After the credits there is an extra scene that shows Ottway (Liam Neeson) still alive and laying beside the wolf." http://www.mediastinger.com/the-grey-2012-extra-scene-after-the-credits/ Most people seem to say that it shows Ottway lying his head on the wolf as it dies. So he won the fight and must have been alive to lie on top of it....but I don't know.

SPOILERS
SPOILERS


I too only saw the wolf at the end, but my wife saw Ottway in the shot. I'll need to revisit it.

Ottway did say earlier in the movie, when there was a challenge on the Alpha male at night and the survivors listened to the killing of the old alpha male (or the challenger) that whoever won the fight would be the leader. I guess by Ottway killing the alpha male, then the rest of the wolves will not attack him and he can walk out of the woods alive.

My thoughts anyways.

Quoted from MacDuff SPOILERS SPOILERS I too only saw the wolf at the end, but my wife saw Ottway in the shot. I'll need to revisit it. Ottway did say earlier in the movie, when there was a challenge on the Alpha male at night and the survivors listened to the killing of the old alpha male (or the challenger) that whoever won the fight would be the leader. I guess by Ottway killing the alpha male, then the rest of the wolves will not attack him and he can walk out of the woods alive. My thoughts anyways.

I concur.

It's a parallel to an earlier scene when he shot the wolf and stayed with it whilst it died.

From a simple story point of view, I suspect it's supposed to show he's survived...because the default position as the film ended was that he was doomed.

The next scene would normally reverse that value.

And they built in the "get out" that by killing the Alpha they'd leave him alone.

I'm taking it like that anyway...think it's a better ending.

I'm pretty sure the ending was left open for the sequel...The Grey 2: Who Done Shot My Paw?

and yes, that was an Air Bud reference. off to stick my head in the microwave!

Neeson's head was indeed resting on the wolf as it took its last breaths.  One alpha vs. another.  

But there's no need to hypothesize what happened, because here's the ending of the film, just substitute an Irishman for the Scotsman.

Let that be a lesson to me.

I'll have to wait until I see that last image, but it sounds powerful.

Does seem a little at odds (if he lives) with the wallet prepping. Then again, I guess thathis God's answer to 'do something'.

Quoted from Andrew Let that be a lesson to me. I'll have to wait until I see that last image, but it sounds powerful. Does seem a little at odds (if he lives) with the wallet prepping. Then again, I guess thathis God's answer to 'do something'.

No God in this film Andrew!

If he survives it's simply because he stabbed the wolf to death before it could finish him off!

I saw "The Grey" yesterday after it was finally released, seems we were behind everybody else.

This is an action-survival film that has some excellent stand alone scenes, the acting was good and I even thought the wolves were brilliantly done. Not everyone will like the wolves’ element here but I found myself truly gripped every time they made an appearance especially at the cinema viewing.

I must say that this movies experience is far better on the big screen; you can’t match the sound here at home. The tension built by the wolves howls in the darkness, a plane crash that feels like you’re on the damn plane, the hustling winds that make you zip up your jacket, truly great.

Spoliers:

The plane crash was awesome, no doubt about it, but also quick mentions for the wolves appearance in the night with those green wicked eyes, loved that scene. Others would be the heartfelt death scene for a man after the plane crash and the death of Talget(think that’s right) His death was an emotion and horrifying in the same scene, visualising is daughter before the dreaded wolves chime in and drag him away.

I did enjoy the ending though missing the final showdown fell a bit flat with me (BTW, do planes use glass bottles anymore? Thought it was plastic but maybe it depends on the airline?) I thought the wallet scene was a touching moment, a nice way to finish.

Yes, Liam Neeson does seem immune to hypothermia but I didn’t let it bother me as I was focusing on when the wolves next act of rage would be.

All in all a great experience, I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the cinema this year.

P.S All I saw in the final scene was the wolf which I assumed was taking its last breaths like a wolf earlier in the movie, hence meaning Ottway survives.

I saw the movie. It was just 'ok' to me. There were a lot of unanswered questions.

The plane crash was great...but not one of the guys had or said anything about a cell phone. One of the guys finds a watch off one of the dead guys ..but strange in this day and time ..no cell phones.

The wolves looked scary but not real to me.

Then there was one part where they risk their lives to get across this giant river to get away from the wolves, but somehow after surviving and making it to the other side(well most of them)...the same pack of wolves are there still after them.

Neeson also had words about trying to get as far away from the den as they could, then they ironically end up in the den..even though they are on the other side of cliffs and the huge river.

It was a decent movie but it wasn't one that I got all excited about. I liked the trailers and wanted to see it, but to be honest I was a lil let down.

I'll see SAFE  HOUSE this weekend..hope it's better

I'm mixed on this one.
Lots of great execution marred by inconsistencies.
And it's because of all the good stuff that I wanted the rest to track.

Still, this is a very un-Hollywood film and I'm glad it's a mild hit.
The wolves were some of the best presented on narrative film.
But, there are plenty of logic gaps that don't add up.
If I forget my past lupine experiences, I can mostly enjoy the film.

IMO, this is Carnahan's best film since "Narc".
And I believe this is far and away his most savagely beautiful film by far.

E.D.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Another one I was really looking forward to that I missed at the cinema.  Another one with solid reviews that I couldn't wait to see.  Another complete and utter disappointment for me.

Damn...was this thing ever dull and slow.  An hour and 57 minutes running time honestly seemed like over 3 hours.  Thinking back, I see why, as this is actually a very, VERY small movie with very little going on.  I wonder how many minutes were taken up with Flashbacks, dreams, V.O.'s, or just minutes on end of nothing happening at all.

I can obviously see that this is a polarizing movie in which some will love the fact that it's not what it's made out to be, while the others will hate it for exactly that.  I'm in the latter camp and actually gave this only 2 stars on the Netflix rating - dislike.

For me, the plane crash was not all that, and in reality, was a good example of how to pull off a big cost scene very cheaply.  Actually, pretty much everything came across as rather cheap and small to me.  Nothing seemed real, decisions were often foolish, and even the beautiful BC wilderness didn't impress.

I've seen a number of such movies and read many more.  This was shockingly by the numbers for me, even though it definitely did come off as very non Hollywood.  One by one, every 10 or so minutes, another unfortunate survivor gets picked off by the pack, does something stupid to get himself killed, or just flat out gives up.  The only surprise for me was the lack of a finale and that's not going down as ballsy film making in my book...more like a cop out and a missed opportunity for what we were all waiting for.

I didn't think any characters were well developed.  I didn't think any characters were overly likable.  I'm surprised they went with an R rating here, when in reality, they easily could have avoided it by axing 10 or 11 "fucks" and a few "shits".  The violence was not graphic.  The tone really wasn't even scary.

As others have commented, there are many completely unrealistic situations and scenes and for me, this really dragged the movie down the shitter, but at least Carnahan and crew attempted a little bit of action, cuz otherwise, this was one of the bigger snoozefests I've seen recently that calls itself an action film.

Very disappointed.  Very surprised.  Very, very bored.

Can't believe you hated this so, Jeff. I will give you boring, but this was an emotionally charged film for me.

My only gripe would be that I thought these fellows could've given the wolves a better show. They only killed one.

And they were never Grey to me. Solid black, like the Alpha Liam gets ready to throw down with at the end.

I think this entire story was built to set up the ending, which I'm a huge fan of. But, can see how you found the ride there boring.

It just left an impression with me. I can't explain it, but I won't forget it.

James