The Grey (2012) Review

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Synopsis:

Live or die on this day.

An unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks’ plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors have only a few days to escape the icy elements – and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt – before their time runs out.

Review

Survival. Most of us during our lifetime will be fortunate enough not to be placed/put into/get into situations that would require us to fend for our lives. Many people around the world however have had to endure these proceedings and survived to tell the tale…while others have not. With that said and done, I was excited to see how this movie would play out. It has been a while since I had viewed a decent survival-horror, so I was most intrigued. I saw the trailer and I HIGHLY recommend you do NOT watch it! (Look at your popcorn if you have to, it may sound lame, but even I do that) as it will give away certain aspects of the film that you should really view first hand.

The story begins with a short narrative intro by the main protagonist. The supporting cast are introduced after a certain period of time and we get to learn about them more as the film progresses. I am happy it follows through this way, so you actually feel for the characters, which makes it more fearful when they are put into precarious situations. The acting is very well played out and almost seems like you are one of the group on the harrowing journey they take. The story might feel clichéd, but personally I found it quite refreshing and transpire in a way I didn’t for see. The pacing pans out nicely too, not rushed, nor trailing along limply.

If it’s one thing this movie made me feel, it’s the cold. I hate the cold, and in this movie it came across extremely well (I was happy to be wearing my jacket). It really feels as if you are stuck in the middle of the icy tundra…it looked absolutely f…f…FREEZING! As we push forward on this journey of survival, so does the area change, from being enclosed by the fluffy white stuff, to traipsing through a dark brooding forest. The camera work is great, providing some stunning shots of the mountain ranges and the surrounding nature…showing us how brutal it can be…especially when unprepared.

The film didn’t have much in the terms of special effects, however there is a decent amount of suspense and frights splashed throughout the film. Most do catch you off guard which is a pleasant surprise (literally). It is a character driven movie and we are strapped in to watch their perilous experience. The human emotion carries through as well, which is a nice touch. The wolves are a mixture of CGI and “puppets” which I thought looked realistic enough, their presence is definitely felt. I was happy to see a various amount of different death scenes (macabre, yes I know), to show us how dangerous it is out in the wild.

I don’t have anything negative to report about the film. I can only assume some viewers may think it is slightly long and that certain scenes may seem slightly far-fetched.

At the end of the day, “The Grey” is a daunting experience, one I might add, you won’t forget in a hurry. It will make you think (to a certain degree) and wonder if you have done everything you’ve wanted to do in life. This film shows that life can throw anything at you, at any time…the question is: will you be prepared? The film is currently doing very well at the cinema with a profit of $75Million on a budget of $25Million.

Worth the watch if: You are in the mood for a survival-horror, are fans of Liam Neelson or wanting to watch something different.

Trailer

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