The Grey

Name: The Grey
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Released: January 27, 2012
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Liam Neeson

2012

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 460 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 460 Ratings

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The Grey

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Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films (II) | Release Date: January 27, 2012 | R

Starring: Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Liam Neeson

Summary: In The Grey, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their 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. (Open Road Films)

Director: Joe Carnahan

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

A.O. Scott

Jan 26, 2012

It's a fine, tough little movie, technically assured and brutally efficient, with a simple story that ventures into some profound existential territory without making a big fuss about it. Read full review

Movieline Stephanie Zacharek

Jan 26, 2012

What is surprising is how poetic the movie is, partly thanks to its high-lonesome sound design and the desolate beauty of its visuals, but mostly because of its star, Liam Neeson. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Jan 31, 2012

There's an almost poetic quality to the way things develop, with characters becoming increasingly introspective. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Jan 25, 2012

Don't be mistaken -- this isn't an artsy thriller. It is still, at heart, men vs. wolves, and the wolves definitely have the home-court advantage. Read full review

Steven Rea

Jan 26, 2012

The Grey, whose clipped title, grim swagger, and lost-in-the-outback themes conjure up visions of that Alec Baldwin/Anthony Hopkins classic, "The Edge," devolves into a predictable man-against-nature, and man-against-fellow man, affair. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Jan 25, 2012

You see the pattern here? Winter-release slot + travel budget + Liam Neeson = slightly preposterous, routinely violent, apparently lucrative action movie in which the Irish-born star signals inner emotional conflict with his handsomely mashed boxer's face while settling outer physical conflict with his boxer's fists. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Jan 25, 2012

Neeson is always compelling, even in a movie as ridiculous as The Grey. Read full review

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User Reviews

BlueRick

Feb 1, 2012

Closer examination of this movie seems to indicate that it is an analogy. It is really about man facing his God and his fear of death in a dignified fashion...which is what Liam Nesson does. As proof I offer the 4 line poem the main character's father wrote and posted on his wall. It isCloser examination of this movie seems to indicate that it is an analogy. It is really about man facing his God and his fear of death in a dignified fashion...which is what Liam Nesson does. As proof I offer the 4 line poem the main character's father wrote and posted on his wall. It is repeated several times so you can't miss it...you're not supposed to. It is the last thing Liam Neeson's character thinks of before....well you know. The message is quite clear. Live to fight another day, die with honor, strength, bravery and above all dignity. I think the movie was beautifully done and superbly acted.… Expand

19 of 22 users found this helpful193

LynnHardy

Apr 6, 2012

It's hard to say something bad about this movie - so well done. From the actors, to the stunt work, it all came together so well. The plot was very well paced and had a great twist. As long as you are wanting a happy ending, this is a must see!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

a-hole

Aug 2, 2012

Much better than average. This movie is too good for anyone who gives it a low score. Get a clue of what real story, real character is about. If the wolves aren't realistic there's a reason for that, which makes everything more haunting, more freakish, more alive than in a straight actionMuch better than average. This movie is too good for anyone who gives it a low score. Get a clue of what real story, real character is about. If the wolves aren't realistic there's a reason for that, which makes everything more haunting, more freakish, more alive than in a straight action movie.

I thought Joe Carnahan was onto something when NARC came out, and this reinforces that feeling. He may be a bit full of himself and on the macho side but he's got a movie to be proud of. This is the best Neeson movie since Schindler's List.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

JLLoren

Jan 29, 2012

Intense and sad. A dog gets eaten. Liam Neeson is great, as usual, and, like most movies nowadays, he's in it. Joe Carnahan's best film since "The A-Team."

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BradySmith

Aug 9, 2013

The grey is a decently executed survival movie which initially promises the possibility of a masterpiece with early scenes but becomes too uneven along the way. Like many critics have said, the movie can be very poetic and introspective, and the cinematography is very pretty. The wolfThe grey is a decently executed survival movie which initially promises the possibility of a masterpiece with early scenes but becomes too uneven along the way. Like many critics have said, the movie can be very poetic and introspective, and the cinematography is very pretty. The wolf attacks start out being pretty scary. They're brutal and fill the film with undeniable tension, but eventually they start being presented in a cleche way. The attacks become too often, and the wolves themselves are used too much like Hollywood monsters. This starts to compete with the higher, more artistic sensibilities in the movie instead of enhancing them. This is also definitely one of the bleakest films I have ever seen, with a nihilistic agenda I absolutely disagree with. However, Liam Nieson gives a great performance as always, and I can't deny that overall it's a gritty, gripping movie which is way better than most movies that come out in January. In fact, it might be one of the best January releases ever.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FDT44

Jan 27, 2012

Nothwithstanding its attempts to manifest itself atypically from others before it, "The Grey" simply relies too heavily on the shallow shoulders of its "spear-carriers," whose only raison d' etre is to dispense egregiously daft and ribald prattling upon barren expressions, while the cameraNothwithstanding its attempts to manifest itself atypically from others before it, "The Grey" simply relies too heavily on the shallow shoulders of its "spear-carriers," whose only raison d' etre is to dispense egregiously daft and ribald prattling upon barren expressions, while the camera spotlights Neeson and mewls for support. What one experiences is a cinematographic waste of astounding, achromatic transcendental visuals, hampered by the dragging sense of directorial indecisiveness and subpar writing. Aside from Neeson's valiant efforts to egress from his enslaved character, the film enthralls with its surprisingly fresh metaphysical overtones, and adhesive tie-ins toward the latter-half. As a result, "The Grey" is a brimmingly stern philosophical survival thriller, laden with sporadic moments of jocosity and adrenaline, yet suppressed with a taste of dissatisfied chagrin.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

Geritol961

Jan 30, 2012

Extremely disappointed with this movie. Very few times do I feel the urge to write a review. There were a lot of inconsistencies with the plot. Jumping into a tree? COME ON! A lot of build up in this movie to a weak ending. I was deceived into thinking this was "Taken" with wolves. I didn'tExtremely disappointed with this movie. Very few times do I feel the urge to write a review. There were a lot of inconsistencies with the plot. Jumping into a tree? COME ON! A lot of build up in this movie to a weak ending. I was deceived into thinking this was "Taken" with wolves. I didn't relate with any of the characters in the movie and was glad as the wolves picked them off one by one. Also I find it hard to believe that a band of rednecks couldn't find any weapons or defend themselves. Even Sarah Palin kills wolves. A movie like this does not make me shed a tear about wolf conservation. A classic survival film with a satisfying ending would be, " The Edge". Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin survive and KILL A GRIZZLY! Come on Neeson! The Grey made me want to chokeslam a wolf, but then I thought about how humans bred the wolf to make the chihuahua breed and that made me smile.… Expand

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

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29	#29 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
72	#72 Most Shared Movie of 2012