The Grey

THE GREY (2012) - Jan. 27, 2012
A superlative film about a group of guys who survive a plane crash only to find themselves fighting for survival against the elements and an angry pack of wolves.  Though I was expecting more of a straight-forward thriller, the film is actually quite dark and has a surprising amount of depth, and features some really top-shelf direction from Joe Carnahan (he's definitely forgiven for the mediocre A-Team).  It's also really well acted, particularly (and unsurprisingly) Liam Neeson, who brings a level of gravitas and pathos that I don't think a lot of actors could pull off (or at least not as well as he does it).  Carnahan does a great job establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of dread and forboding, and the film is actually quite tense throughout.  It's pretty great, and it definitely reminds me of why I thought Carnihan had so much potential after Narc.  ****