Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Minor spoilers will be included in this review.
Cold Pursuit is the latest Liam Neeson action thriller to hit theaters, it follows a grieving snowplow driver who seeks out revenge against the drug dealers who killed his son. It also stars Laura Dern and Emmy Rossum it was Directed by Hans Petter Moland.
Under The Lens: Humor and Action
Humor: Cold Pursuit is a weird little picture, very unlike any other thriller that Neeson has starred in. It has strong violence and some disturbing deaths but it’s almost all offset with some very bizarre humor. As weird as it is the humor works more often than not, and I found myself laughing out loud more then once, if not from mirth but from the sheer absurdity of it all. For example, Neeson’s character and a Native Chief/Gang Leader have survived a gunfight, they both get into a snowplow and drive away. As they are driving the one surviving Native gang member parasails in and is sucks into the snowplow and killed.
Action: This picture like most of Neeson’s action features, has great action sequences. The violence is brutal at times and tame at others, in the end, it works and offsets the picture’s humor and story. The narrative is a violent one and the violence and action is appropriate for the story being told.
Highlights
The pictures creative use of title cards to announce each death was well done
The Sky resort is very scenic and beautiful.
Raoul Max Trujillo was a highlight as White Bull’s henchman Thorpe.
Something to think about
How did you feel about the message of the picture regarding vigilantism?
Conclusion
Overall Cold Pursuit is a strong inclusion to Liam Neeson’s vast catalog of pictures. He gets to once again flex his action muscles while also showing a surprisingly tender side at times, the picture manages to balance its action and humor is a way that is different from the vast majority of revenger thrillers while also being familiar enough to comfort. Neeson carries much screen charisma, yet the supporting actors are able to keep up with him and bring out different sides to his character. The only character who felt wasted was Emmy Rossum who just is given very little to do, and in the end, really does not do much of anything. Which is a shame as she is a talented actor. Cold Pursuit is worth checking out if you enjoy revenge thrillers or action comedies of a quirky nature.
