Ryan Shoots First: Cold Pursuit
A few years ago Liam Neeson discussed trying to get away from the many action movies he had become known for since the overwhelming success of Taken. It seemed like many of his following films played a similar key if not the same song entirely. He had carved out quite a niche for himself as a modern day every man action star with a very particular set of skills. But after a few films that felt phoned in, if not by him than at least by the movie system that churns these out, he decided to try and take a break from vigilante action films.
Well… Liam is back in familiar territory with his newest film Cold Pursuit. In the film Neeson plays snowplow man (Call Mr. Plow, that’s my name..) and “Citizen of theYear” Nels Coxman (I know it’s no Brian Taken in the name department) who’s son appears to have died from a heroin overdose. This sets Nels on a road of revenge and revelation as he uncovers a dark underworld of drug dealers and mobs. Nels wife is played by the wonderful Laura Dern which packs some serious star power but unfortunately she is very underutilized and missing from the film after the first act.
The movie is pretty standard revenge film fare with some brutal killings and creative executions. The villains has in the movie are not to over the top cartoonish and play their roles nicely. It was interesting to see the hero of the Neeson action film actually fight white men as opposed to some foreign sex traffickers or militant gangs. The film also has some general intrigue and twists many will not see coming but what sets Cold Pursuit apart is its dry witty humor. In commercials leading up to the film some critics were drawing comparisons to Fargo and I can see it to a degree with the dry humor and snowy climate. The director of the film Hans Peter Molland actually directed the original Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance this movie is based on so he has a great understanding of the tone and voice of the film and the movie is directed beautifully. It did interest me to think of other foreign films remade on this side of the ocean where the same director took it on. An interesting piece of movie trivia for you next time you’re at the bar on Liam Neeson night.
Cold Pursuit does not reinvent the wheel and at times will feel all too familiar but the performance from Neeson with some clever humor, unforeseen twists and some brutal death scenes pushes the needle enough to make it an enjoyable experience. If you are hell bent on getting out to a movie in these humdrum winter months Cold Pursuit will give you enough enjoyment to get your money’s worth but if your on the fence I would wait till it hits VOD or any of the other at home services. It’s nice to see Neeson back in his element and killing people that absolutely deserve it. Like a Charles Bronson of our time.
