Just Seen..... The Grey

       

Rubbish*  Ok** Good***  Great****  Unmissable***** 

Just Seen..... The Grey ****

  

  

 Don't judge a book by its cover seems to be the theme of the day when reviewing The Grey. 

    

               It’s always amused me that Liam Neeson having actively most of his life made it clear his hatred of violence has now, in the last decade, ironically become a middle aged action icon (Taken, Unknown, A-Team, Taken 2). 

             With The Grey's whole poster consisting of Neeson's angry face and with the tagline "Live or die on this day" it could be fairly obvious what type of Liam Neeson film were about to watch, however, upon viewing you soon discover this is not the case.

           The Neeson casting itself could have been more of a favour to A-Team Director Joe Carnahan (Narc), who originally had other A-Team star Bradley Cooper in mind for the lead. Neeson’s extra years certainly work better in the role, which lends more conviction to the film’s theme than I think younger but capable Cooper would have brought.   

             However ironically the presence of Neeson is also what has lead to the misconception of the film’s genre through its poster marketing. Presented as an action film (Based on its star’s current appeal) rather than the Thriller/Drama of which it truly is.  

            Neeson plays a Huntsman who protects oil drillers from attacks of wolves but begins the film a broken man hoping for death and attempting suicide.  

           The story revolves around a group of the oil drillers, who after finishing their last job are flying home only to crash down in Alaska. The survivors now lead by the huntsman (Neeson) have a new danger in the form of dangerous Grey Wolves whose territory they have accidentally invaded, who begin to pick the group off one by one.  

          The film follows alot of movie clichés that you would expect from Hollywood such as;

A)    Plane crash predicament leading to a survival mission.

B)     Each member of the group being picked off one by one in almost a slasher style layout.

C)    The protagonist happens to be an experienced huntsman, and they happen to be hunted by wolves.

            Where The Grey differs is the way in which the material is handled by Joe Carnahan who also co-wrote the script with Ian Mckenzie, who wrote the short story The Ghost Walker, which the film is based from. He takes the familiar scenes and alternates the way they are played out with dark undertones.

            The moment our first casualty is fatally injured, screaming in pain, confused colleagues trying to help to save him, Neeson’s character steps in to help… but not in the way you would expect. Instead of reassuring him and attempting to save him, he levels with him and explains that he his beyond help and will shortly die. He then tenderly explains the most peaceful way to embrace his passing, to think of his loved ones and stays with him, talking him through his body’s shut down as death takes him in front of stunned colleagues.     

            Helping the Director concentrate on the story telling aspect is the fact the budget is a modest (For Hollywood) $25 million which helps when propelling story not spectacle which is certainly the tone set here.

           The writers invested alot in character development, giving all the supporting cast personality and purpose. They all have different traits, extra details that make them valuable to watch. They bond together in one part of the film by exchanging personal stories. Neeson’s contribution is a story of his late father, who despite his toughened demeanor was a fan of poetry. He recites his Father one and only poem, which despite never grasping it’s meaning has never been forgotten by Neeson;

"Once more into the fray...

Into the last good fight I'll ever know.
Live and die on this day...Live and die on this day..."

           The writer’s invest in the all the supporting characters for a tactical purpose which becomes more apparent as the film goes on, in order to propel its final message. The tact involved is to slowly make you like and respect the survivors, then allow them to have a horrible grim demise. Perhaps one of the most haunting moments comes after one likable character has fallen to his near death, whilst laying there drifting in and out consciousness. He sees his young daughter come to him and affectionately console him, but in horrifying reality he is actually seen being eaten alive by wolves.   

          This is certainly not an overly jolly film, but then again plane crash survivors being hunted by wolves in arctic conditions never was going to be.
                                                                                                                      Outcome

          The outcome of the films very vibe is profound in itself when at the start Neeson’s character believes he has nothing to live for and wishes to die, but by the end when he actually has nothing to live for he then wishes to live and fight. That is a character transition worth the watch. This transition point is heightened by an abrupt fast cut ending, which leaves some audience members feeling ripped off, but if you got the filmmakers message then any other outcome would derive from the film's message... live and die on this day. The outcome makes no difference the message is there and Neeson’s character takes it firmly by the reigns.  

P.S

However if anyone is feeling curious, there is sneak clip at the end of the credits giving a teaser of the film’s conclusion.   

Just Seen... TRESPASS (2011)

Rubbish * Ok **Good***   Great**** Unmissable *****

            

Trespass **

             Batman and Robin on one side, Falling Down on the other. Bad Company (if anyone recalls the Chris Rock/Anthony Hopkins 2002 action flick) on one side, A Time To Kill on the other. When we think of Hollywood director Joel Schumacher most people are understandably skeptical of his work they are about to watch.

           

             In fairness this may a trifle unfair with the solid work outweighing the bad, but in Hollywood shit sticks and the stench of the frankly torrid Batman and Robin will always follow Schumacher like a unwanted creepy stalker. But the man has earned his bacon enough to prove us wrong with appearance of a cinematic masterpiece...  

          On that note along comes the new thriller Trespass. Featuring an A list Academy Award winning cast Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman! So far so good! However if your not recalling this film in the cinema listing that's where the plot thickens.  Interesting enough this film broke the record for the fastest ever move from cinema release to home video release which happened in a mere 18 days being pulled from it's limited theatrical release after only 10. Not the clear signs of a cinematic masterpiece.

       The movie grossed $24,094 which is great if it's some student project you made for $10,000, in fact that's amazing and your sure to progress far in the industry having displayed clear money making skills in this money making industry. However this was not a student film made for $10,000 this was Hollywood thriller made for £35,000,000... oh shit.

      The plot is that whilst man and wife (Cage and Kidman) are chill-laxing in their massive hi tech mansion armed robbers.... Trespass! Cage and Kidman are taken hostage forcing a game of wits between the family and robbers as they try and get their hands on Cages diamond fortune, but beware things may not be as they seem.

        The fact that the film was rushed at record breaking speed onto On Demand actually makes sense because Trespass at the end of the day is in nature a TV movie, with money and Hollywood hands surrounding it, but all the money in the world cannot change or improve what is.

       What "is" is a basic plot with plot twist and turns that I hardly think would worry the likes of The Sixth Sense, and sexed it up with;

a)Money 

b)A list Stars

C)Hollywood director 

      

       What do they have in common? They are all wasted, especially the money. The money most of which I can only imagine went on inflated wages (or cast bribes) because the film itself is very lo budget in terms of production value. The film consists of mainly one major location (Mansion)and a reasonably small cast. In fact this could have been made by students which I think could have had allot more exciting creative use of talent, which often happens on lower budgets, because often creativity is forced to solve issues instead of money. In fact had this been a low budget TV film or student film it would have been received and appreciated allot better. It's the involvement of Hollywood talent that ultimately works against Trespass.

       The A list cast try with Kidman coasting and Nicolas Cage attempting the material but hardly convinced of his role, a point probably made by the man himself when he walked off set wanting to part swop with the main bad guy part (Liev Schreiber all primed to replace Cage) but the next day returned to work in the same part. The interesting thing is the supporting cast especially the main robber try harder than the leads, with more interesting character traits (mental issues, heroin addictions) which is most probably the reason Cage wished to swop parts giving himself more to play with. In fact with Cage in that part he stood a good chance of scene stealing but ultimately opted for the safe leading man part.       

        
             The direction is fine,but pretty much consists of coverage of the transpiring events and the occasional Without A Trace style back flash effect routine but where's the Hitchcockian signature shots, the suspenseful innovative style to keep the audience entertained in a limited location film. The director is more than capable of doing this, in fact his done it! Phone Booth was a innovative directional suspenseful entertaining film considering it's exceptional limited location... a er phone booth.  

Outcome

        Trespass does the job, provides what you would expect, but nothing more and with the talent available that is a shocking wasted opportunity.

        Joel Schumacher said in a interview that his general reception of his film by people he spoke to was that he made a "edge of your seat thriller!" whoever said that is either a suck up or needs to get out more. In fact if they really loved this I imagine Quantum Of Solace would blow their minds totally.

     

P.s

Anyone who wants to watch this film don't waste your money... I don't mean it like that it's available on youtube.  

Trailer: