The Grey: Liam Neeson vs. A Whole Bunch of Maneating Wolves

This was really good.

However, the ending bordered on infuriating. I honestly wasn't expecting Ottway to make it, but it felt like it had essentially become a "Shaggy Dog" Story when EVERYBODY died. What's worse was that they gave away one of the very last shots in the movie in the trailer...which seems to be coming more and more common.

Then again, if the movie was supposed to be about not fearing death, then I'd say it worked...

edited 27th Jan '12 6:14:30 PM by Prowler

The occasional crocodile has been known to actively hunt humans. Just google Gustave, he's the greates (or worst) serial killer in recorded history. A couple of shitty movies were even based on him.

As far as I know wolves haven't actively hunted humans for since we invented the gun. They ain't dumb, they seem to know we're not worth the effort, especially because our meat to weight ratio is incredibly small compared to their normal prey. We're very bony creatures. That said, a starving wolf won't turn it's nose up to some man flesh, but they'd have to be very, very hungry.

Despite all of the above I am looking forward to this movie. Liam Neeson always manages to be a badass and I am entirely willing to stave off reality if it means I can see him fuck up some wolves with a shotgun. I've had a bit of a mancrush on him since taken, something even that godawful A-Team couldn't shake off, so I think he's pretty safe here.

Edit: Whoever mentioned Polar Bears is bang on the money, they are the only species around that actually prefers humans to their normal prey. No one knows why they prefer us, especially as seals are a lot bigger and, more importantly, fattier. It's theorised that we're just easier to catch and, if you've ever seen fotage of an inuit/bear waiting hours upon hours even for the tiniest chance of grabbing one, you'd probably agree.

edited 27th Jan '12 7:50:56 PM by fiftiethcarp

I found it to be really depressing and have a lot of Idiot Ball moments. I mean, I liked it and all, but the ending was just terrible.

I loved it. I agree with what MovieBob said, that it is the first truly great film of the new year. I thought it was an expertly shot, written, and acted film with palpable suspense and a surprisingly poignant and compelling philosophical exploration of life, death, and morality in the face of certain doom, told by some really fleshed-out characters. I was glad the film wasn't just Liam Neeson punching wolves for 2 hours (though I would have been okay with that, I would have been slightly less impressed).

I thought it was a bit obtuse of the makers saying they would re-release the film later in the year when the award season for next year heats up to better remind critics of its value, but now I find that to be a completely and utterly valid idea. I really think Neeson at least deserves an Oscar nod. I know it's REALLY early to say that, but his performance managed to completely subvert his now memetic persona and remind us just exactly why we came about to loving him in the first place: his serious, dramatic roles.

edited 27th Jan '12 9:23:11 PM by HerrKman

Man, this movie blew me away. And I agree, Liam Neeson gave an excellent performance. That Rage Against the Heavens bit was powerful.

I have a theory about the film: It was about Ottway dying. He is lying in his bed helpless and hallucinating, the moments we see his wife are when he is nearing consciousness. The letter is him trying to say goodbye to his wife, but he is to week to speak. In the falshback she is not dying, he is. He knows about the warmth of death because he is experiencing it right now. Did anybody else have a similar thought about this film?

That's a pretty good theory, but it doesn't explain why all those other characters popped up in the story instead of people he knew. I would think a person on their deathbeds would start remembering things they've experienced and people they've met instead of imagining themselves freezing in the wilderness... but then again, I don't think any of us here have ever "truly" known death, have we?