The Grey is a film, directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, The A-Team), which sees a group of oil-rig workers become stranded in the remote Alaskan wilderness after their plane crashed. Now they must battle the cruel and unyielding Alaskan weather, some with severe injuries in order to survive. But it is not just the elements they must battle, they are being hunted by a pack of vicious wolves hungry for the taste of human flesh.
This film stars Liam Neeson, who plays the character Ottway. Liam is an excellent and very accomplished actor. He has starred in such films as Gangs of New York, Schindler's List, Batman Begins and Kingdom of Heaven. Some brilliant films there with some excellent performances. He seems to be going from strength to strength and not taking his foot of the gas peddle. Liam has, however, sunk into his own role, playing similar characters in a variety of films. Unknown and Taken are excellent examples of this, practically the same character in both films. But I have said it before and I will say it again, this is not a weak point. Many actors fall in to the category of having a 'type' of role they play and many do it with such passion and talent that we forgive them for it, and none more than Liam Neeson.
Director Joe Carnahan is no stranger to Hollywood, with such films under his directorial belt as Smokin' Aces, The A-Team and Narc it could be said he is becoming somewhat of a familiar face in the action genre. With his previous films in mind we can only assume he will bring his love for adrenaline pumping, high octane action scenes to this film. His ability to keep the viewer hooked on the story unfolding is something I admire about him. Smokin' Aces is a film I really enjoyed and have re-watched a number of times. The way he can have so many characters, with such full stories and chuck them all together and somehow still have the plot-line clear is excellent. I believe, and hope, he will implement this into The Grey. I don't really want to spend the entire film focusing on one character and have the rest as back-up, expendable characters. I would like to see each character as individuals with their own stories and backgrounds.
So The Grey looks to be an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller. This fascination with wolves at the moment seems to be paying off for the Twilight Saga and HBO's fantastic Game of Thrones series, let us hope it will be as successful for Nesson and the gang.
The Grey is in cinemas everywhere January 27.
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