#15 The Grey (2011)

Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo

Released in late January 2012, The Grey was a complete bust at the box office and received mixed feedback from critics and moviegoers alike.

I'll start off by getting the main negative point out of the way. The Grey does have its flaws, with the biggest being it's unrealism. There were too many moments where I questioned what I was actually watching and at times, it can take away from the dramatic elements of the film. I think many negative reviews have stemmed from this point, and while I do agree that some scenes come across as dumb, there is enough good here to overthrow them.

I thought it was excellently written with the character develop
ment being top notch. I really felt for the individuals in the film and I found myself constantly wondering what I would do under those circumstances. The way Neeson's character is introduced to the story, I found myself rooting for him from the outset. The other major plus point here is the scenery and location. The snowy Alaskan backdrops look gorgeous and make for some eye popping scenes. Similarly, the darker and eerier aspects of the film work brilliantly alongside the cold and frozen weather.

Personally, I really enjoyed it. The beautiful scenery, top performances and careful character development make this, for me, one of the more watchable films from 2012. Recommended