Vigilante films have been one of the mainstay genres in Hollywood for a number of decades mostly because everyone likes to see wrongs made right, so since it's been a little while since we've seen a good 'ol vengeance type film, why not see it in the form of "Cold Pursuit"?
Quiet family man and hard-working snowplow driver Nels Coxman (Liam Neeson) is the lifeblood of a glitzy resort town, Kehoe, in the Rocky Mountains because he is one who keeps the winter roads clear. He and his wife, Grace (Laura Dern) live in a comfortable cabin away from the tourists. The town has just awarded him "Citizen of the Year". But Nels has to leave his quiet mountain life when his son, Kyle (Micheal Richardson) is murdered by thugs of a powerful drug cartel. As a man who has nothing to lose, he is stoked by a drive for vengeance. This unlikely hero uses his hunting skills and transforms from an ordinary man into a skilled killer as he sets out to dismantle the cartel one thug at a time. Nels' actions ignite a turf war between a maniacally unpredictable gangster known as Trevor 'Viking' Calcote (Tom Bateman) and a rival gang boss, White Bull (Tom Jackson). Justice is served in one final spectacular confrontation that will leave (almost) no one unscathed.
Others to round out the cast are Domenick Lombardozzi as Mustang, Emmy Rossum as Kim Dash, Julia Jones as Aya, John Dorman as John 'Gip' Gipsky, William Forsythe as Brock 'Wing Man' Coxman, Nels brother, Michael Eklund as Speedo, Bradley Stryker as Limbo, Wesley McInnes as Dante and David O'Hara as Sly.
This was directed by Norwegian veteran, prolific Hans Petter Moland ("Secondloitnanten" '93, "Zero Kelvin" '95, "Aberdeen" 2000, "The Beautiful Country" '04, "A Somewhat Gentle Man" '10, "In Order of Disappearance" '14, "Department Q: A Conspiracy of Faith" '16) plus others, a short, a video and a documentary. Certainly this filmmaker chose the perfect lead actor to pull off this role since Neeson isn't a stranger to vigilante films. This being the situation, it probably wasn't difficult to direct this actor in being believable in his role. But since Moland has directed different genres of films, he certainly knows how to go out on that limb. It was written by virtual newcomer to the screenwriting field, Frank Baldwin. Being this green, he certainly was able to provide a good storyline to keep its audience on the edge of their seats. What made this a bit more fresh and original than that of the other vigilante films is that there was a certain amount of dry dark humor nestled within the dramatic parts of the film, otherwise it would be fairly akin to "Taken" '08 and the like. What actually interests me is the fact that this writer has already gotten the green-light for pre-production of his "The Godmother" and his "The Run" has been announced. This is extremely unusual in the Hollywood community since they, like any company, have to be convinced that any filmmaker is that good to garner any future work. There are a couple of places of choppiness and slowness in this, but because of his lack of experience, this was certainly an admirable attempt and surprising outcome for potentiality. The film was based on the 2014 film "Kraftidioten" or "In Order of Disappearance" by Kim Fupz Aakeson.
If you are a filmgoer that is truly attracted to vigilante, conspiracy type of films, you will be in film heaven. It's not a huge acting stretch for Neeson who could do this type of film in his sleep, but he is easy to watch in these roles because of his passion he brings to the table. A perfect film? No, but a film that one can certainly escape into.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 119mins.
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