Cold Pursuit

Cold Pursuit is a darkly comedic action thriller that sees Liam Neeson once again take on the role of a vengeful everyman, but this time with a distinct blend of grim humor and stylized violence. Directed by Hans Petter Moland, a remake of his own 2014 Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance, the movie follows snowplow driver Nels Coxman (Neeson) whose quiet life shatters after his son's mysterious death. His quest for answers quickly transforms into a brutal war against a flamboyant drug lord named Viking (Tom Bateman) and his various eccentric henchmen. My initial reaction was one of surprise at its offbeat tone, a stark contrast to Neeson's more straightforward action fare. My overall impression is that Cold Pursuit is a stylish and surprisingly witty thriller that delivers satisfying revenge action, though its quirky humor won't be for everyone.

Rating:
6.1/10 ⭐️ (★★★ - Good)
A good rating for a stylishly shot and darkly humorous revenge thriller that benefits from Liam Neeson's stoic performance and a unique tonal blend, despite occasional pacing issues.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The premise is classic revenge fare, but the film distinguishes itself by injecting a pervasive vein of dark humor and a quirky, almost Coen-esque sensibility. The escalating chain of misunderstandings and the subsequent turf war between Viking and the rival Ute gang add layers of chaotic fun to Nels' methodical revenge spree. The plot, while straightforward in its core objective, delights in its digressions and the idiosyncratic characters Nels encounters, making it more unpredictable than a typical action film.
* Characters (Strengths): Liam Neeson delivers a perfectly stoic and understated performance as Nels Coxman. His quiet determination and almost accidental efficiency as a killer are a great source of both tension and dark comedy. Tom Bateman is a standout as the eccentric and oddly fastidious drug lord Viking, providing a compelling and often hilarious antagonist. His domestic woes and attempts at parental guidance offer a fantastic contrast to his violent profession. Tom Jackson's White Bull Legrew is a strong presence as the rival gang leader. The supporting cast of quirky hitmen and henchmen, each given a brief, morbid on-screen obituary, adds a distinct flavor to the film's body count.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Hans Petter Moland’s direction is assured and stylish. He maintains the bleak, snowy aesthetic of the original Norwegian film, using the harsh winter landscape of Alberta to great atmospheric effect. The cinematography is crisp, showcasing the beautiful but unforgiving environment. The action sequences are brutal and impactful, but never gratuitous, focusing more on the consequences of violence. The film's dry, sardonic wit is consistently present in its visual gags and character interactions. The subtle moments of dark humor, like the on-screen death notifications, are particularly effective.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The remote, snow-covered setting is beautifully captured, creating a striking visual backdrop for the grim proceedings. The film's score by John Ottman effectively blends tension with moments of mournful reflection and dark whimsy. The sound design complements the stark environment and the sudden bursts of violence.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: Cold Pursuit is a surprisingly engaging and often entertaining film, particularly for those who appreciate black comedy mixed with their action. The unusual characters and the escalating absurdity of the turf war keep the audience invested in Nels’ grim mission. It's a film that earns its laughs from the sheer ridiculousness of the situations rather than overt jokes.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While the film's detours into the lives of various henchmen are often humorous, they occasionally detract from the main narrative's momentum, making the pacing feel a bit uneven. Some plot points, particularly the initial setup of the drug dealing, feel underdeveloped as the film quickly shifts to Nels' revenge.
* Characters (Weaknesses): While Liam Neeson and Tom Bateman are excellent, some of the supporting characters, especially Grace (Laura Dern) and Kim Dash (Emmy Rossum), feel underutilized. Their roles are somewhat tangential to the main plot, diminishing their potential impact.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The film's unique blend of grim violence and deadpan humor won't appeal to all tastes. Viewers expecting a straightforward Taken-style revenge thriller might be taken aback by the dark comedy and the slower, more methodical pace in certain sections. The film revels in its absurdities, which some might find off-putting.

The Verdict:
Cold Pursuit is a surprisingly fresh and darkly entertaining entry in the revenge thriller genre, distinguishing itself with a unique blend of deadpan humor and stylishly bleak visuals. Hans Petter Moland expertly remakes his own film, extracting a compellingly stoic performance from Liam Neeson and a wonderfully bizarre turn from Tom Bateman. While its narrative can occasionally wander and its tone may not resonate with all audiences, the film offers a satisfyingly violent, yet often hilarious, journey through a snow-covered landscape of vengeance and absurd misunderstandings. Recommended for fans of black comedies, revenge thrillers with a quirky edge, and those who appreciate Liam Neeson stepping slightly outside his usual action hero mold.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film masterfully juggles action, thriller, and dark comedy genres. Its tone is consistently grim but punctuated by moments of dry, often morbid, humor, maintaining a consistent, darkly comedic sensibility throughout.
* Target Audience: It is best suited for an adult audience that appreciates a more unconventional and darkly humorous take on the action-thriller genre, rather than a straightforward, high-octane affair.
* Originality & Innovation: As a direct remake, its originality lies in successfully translating the specific brand of Nordic noir and dark humor to a new setting and cast, proving the effectiveness of Moland's original vision across cultures. The inclusion of the on-screen death tally is a particularly innovative and morbidly amusing touch.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): Themes of grief, senseless violence, unintended consequences, and the absurdity of organized crime are explored. The film subtly critiques the cycle of revenge, showing how one man's pursuit of justice can inadvertently ignite a destructive turf war.
* Comparison to Other Films: It certainly fits within Liam Neeson's "avenging father" subgenre, but it’s far closer in spirit and tone to films like Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, or even Moland's original In Order of Disappearance, rather than his Taken franchise.

was garbage

not even finished but mix of bad acting and long storylines

Cold Pursuit is a darkly comedic action thriller that sees Liam Neeson once again take on the role of a vengeful everyman, but this time with a distinct blend of grim humor and stylized violence. Directed by Hans Petter Moland, a remake of his own 2014 Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance, the movie follows snowplow driver Nels Coxman (Neeson) whose quiet life shatters after his son's mysterious death. His quest for answers quickly transforms into a brutal war against a flamboyant drug lord named Viking (Tom Bateman) and his various eccentric henchmen. My initial reaction was one of surprise at its offbeat tone, a stark contrast to Neeson's more straightforward action fare. My overall impression is that Cold Pursuit is a stylish and surprisingly witty thriller that delivers satisfying revenge action, though its quirky humor won't be for everyone.

Rating:
6.1/10 ⭐️ (★★★ - Good)
A good rating for a stylishly shot and darkly humorous revenge thriller that benefits from Liam Neeson's stoic performance and a unique tonal blend, despite occasional pacing issues.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The premise is classic revenge fare, but the film distinguishes itself by injecting a pervasive vein of dark humor and a quirky, almost Coen-esque sensibility. The escalating chain of misunderstandings and the subsequent turf war between Viking and the rival Ute gang add layers of chaotic fun to Nels' methodical revenge spree. The plot, while straightforward in its core objective, delights in its digressions and the idiosyncratic characters Nels encounters, making it more unpredictable than a typical action film.
* Characters (Strengths): Liam Neeson delivers a perfectly stoic and understated performance as Nels Coxman. His quiet determination and almost accidental efficiency as a killer are a great source of both tension and dark comedy. Tom Bateman is a standout as the eccentric and oddly fastidious drug lord Viking, providing a compelling and often hilarious antagonist. His domestic woes and attempts at parental guidance offer a fantastic contrast to his violent profession. Tom Jackson's White Bull Legrew is a strong presence as the rival gang leader. The supporting cast of quirky hitmen and henchmen, each given a brief, morbid on-screen obituary, adds a distinct flavor to the film's body count.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Hans Petter Moland’s direction is assured and stylish. He maintains the bleak, snowy aesthetic of the original Norwegian film, using the harsh winter landscape of Alberta to great atmospheric effect. The cinematography is crisp, showcasing the beautiful but unforgiving environment. The action sequences are brutal and impactful, but never gratuitous, focusing more on the consequences of violence. The film's dry, sardonic wit is consistently present in its visual gags and character interactions. The subtle moments of dark humor, like the on-screen death notifications, are particularly effective.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The remote, snow-covered setting is beautifully captured, creating a striking visual backdrop for the grim proceedings. The film's score by John Ottman effectively blends tension with moments of mournful reflection and dark whimsy. The sound design complements the stark environment and the sudden bursts of violence.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: Cold Pursuit is a surprisingly engaging and often entertaining film, particularly for those who appreciate black comedy mixed with their action. The unusual characters and the escalating absurdity of the turf war keep the audience invested in Nels’ grim mission. It's a film that earns its laughs from the sheer ridiculousness of the situations rather than overt jokes.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While the film's detours into the lives of various henchmen are often humorous, they occasionally detract from the main narrative's momentum, making the pacing feel a bit uneven. Some plot points, particularly the initial setup of the drug dealing, feel underdeveloped as the film quickly shifts to Nels' revenge.
* Characters (Weaknesses): While Liam Neeson and Tom Bateman are excellent, some of the supporting characters, especially Grace (Laura Dern) and Kim Dash (Emmy Rossum), feel underutilized. Their roles are somewhat tangential to the main plot, diminishing their potential impact.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): The film's unique blend of grim violence and deadpan humor won't appeal to all tastes. Viewers expecting a straightforward Taken-style revenge thriller might be taken aback by the dark comedy and the slower, more methodical pace in certain sections. The film revels in its absurdities, which some might find off-putting.

The Verdict:
Cold Pursuit is a surprisingly fresh and darkly entertaining entry in the revenge thriller genre, distinguishing itself with a unique blend of deadpan humor and stylishly bleak visuals. Hans Petter Moland expertly remakes his own film, extracting a compellingly stoic performance from Liam Neeson and a wonderfully bizarre turn from Tom Bateman. While its narrative can occasionally wander and its tone may not resonate with all audiences, the film offers a satisfyingly violent, yet often hilarious, journey through a snow-covered landscape of vengeance and absurd misunderstandings. Recommended for fans of black comedies, revenge thrillers with a quirky edge, and those who appreciate Liam Neeson stepping slightly outside his usual action hero mold.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film masterfully juggles action, thriller, and dark comedy genres. Its tone is consistently grim but punctuated by moments of dry, often morbid, humor, maintaining a consistent, darkly comedic sensibility throughout.
* Target Audience: It is best suited for an adult audience that appreciates a more unconventional and darkly humorous take on the action-thriller genre, rather than a straightforward, high-octane affair.
* Originality & Innovation: As a direct remake, its originality lies in successfully translating the specific brand of Nordic noir and dark humor to a new setting and cast, proving the effectiveness of Moland's original vision across cultures. The inclusion of the on-screen death tally is a particularly innovative and morbidly amusing touch.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): Themes of grief, senseless violence, unintended consequences, and the absurdity of organized crime are explored. The film subtly critiques the cycle of revenge, showing how one man's pursuit of justice can inadvertently ignite a destructive turf war.
* Comparison to Other Films: It certainly fits within Liam Neeson's "avenging father" subgenre, but it’s far closer in spirit and tone to films like Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, or even Moland's original In Order of Disappearance, rather than his Taken franchise.

was garbage

not even finished but mix of bad acting and long storylines