Iffy for 16+
Bloody wilderness survival story has lots of violence.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Grey -- a wilderness survival movie about oil workers who live through a plane crash in the frozen wild and must avoid being devoured by wolves -- has very strong violence, including death, gore, and blood, plus wolf attacks and a scary plane crash sequence. Though it's an action/adventure movie, it's very much geared for adults. Language is strong, with multiple uses of "f--k" and "s--t," as well as other terms. Sexual innuendo pops up in the men's conversations, though there's no other sex or nudity. And there's some drinking and minor smoking.
- Families can talk about The Grey's extreme violence and gore. Does it seem gratuitous, or does it fit in with the story and themes? Does it have more or less impact than what you've seen in horror movies? Why?
- What's the appeal of the "wilderness survival" genre? How do you think you'd do in a situation like this one?
- Is the main character a positive role model? Could anything make him a better one?
The good stuff
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Messages: The men learn to overcome their false pride and arrogance and to work together. They have major problems to solve, and they continue to press forward, even if, as often as not, they fail.
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Role models: The main character is quiet, distant, sad, and stoic, but he's a born leader. He has educated himself about many things and is able to put those things to use in the name of survival. He makes many tough decisions. He tries to get the men working together, rather than fighting among themselves.
What to watch for
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Violence: Many characters die; there's lots of blood and some gore. Wolves attack people, and people shoot wolves. There's a huge, scary plane crash shown from inside the plane, followed by the wreckage and gory dead bodies. The main character contemplates suicide in an early scene. There's a brief, frightening dream sequence. People engage in a barroom brawl in an early scene. A character drowns. A character severs the head of a dead wolf and hurls it into the woods.
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Sex: Lots of sexual innuendo in the men's conversations. The main character has flashbacks to lying in bed with a woman (though they're not naked).
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Language: Very strong language includes very frequent use of "f--k," "s--t," and "a--hole," as well as "bitch," "fag," "nuts," "d--k," "hell," "Jesus Christ" (as an exclamation), "goddamn," and "prick."
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Consumerism: Not an issue
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters are seen drinking in an early barroom scene. The plane crash survivors drink whatever bottles of alcohol that didn't break in the crash. Some characters are seen smoking. Brief flashbacks to the main character's father, who's said to have had a drinking problem.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Extremely great film but not a standard Liam Neeson flick by NeimanJ
Everything about this movie was great, but if you're expecting a film along the lines of Taken or Unknown you'll be rather disappointed. Neeson doesn't play the near super-human hero in The Grey, but rather a damaged and severely flawed man who tries to step up to save his fellow crash survivors despite his own issues. The ending fits the movie but left a lot of audience members in my showing upset because they wanted a climactic fight scene rather than the emotional payoff and cap to Neeson's character arc presented.
5
very good by wlake11
The trailer makes this seem more action packed then it is so for that it somewhat disappointed me because i was hoping for taken with wolves pretty much. But its a man vs nature survival movie and its very good at it. Although i dont like the way wolves are portrayed in the movie liam says in the movie that their probably on the wolves land and they are threatened by humans so that can somewhat make a wolf attack(not very likely though). Anyway the airplane crash probably the best in any movie. It shows how people bond together in trouble times and try to help and care for each other because everyone there is convicts. It all around was a very good movie
and stay after the credits theres a scene
hope this helped anyone
5
The Grey hits every emotion possible by JerseyJeff84
I saw The Grey last night and it has honestly been YEARS since I have seen a movie that has made me laugh, cry, sit on the edge of my seat, start to turn away from gore, feel adrenaline run through my viens as I felt like I wanted to beat the crap out of a wolf too, feel like you are in the movie trying to survive ALL at once.
While yes, certain parts are predictable, it's very minimal and there are some twists and turns. I loved the grit and realism of the Grey, how the situation could potentially happen to any one of us and how when you are faced with survival mode, you'll do almost anything to be able to see your loved ones again. I'd highly recommend seeing The Grey.
*On a side note, if you are religious this movie may turn you off. There are lots of anti-God remarks from the different characters. Scenes where they call God and religion a fairytale, as well as a major scene wit Liem shouting obscenities to God and calling him names.
5
The Grey by prscordato
This film was so much more than I was expecting; however, I fear I'm getting too old to "enjoy" a film as gripping and realistic as The Grey. When I stood up to exit the theatre my hands and legs were trembling.. Casting Liam Neeson as the Alpha male was brilliant. I never doubted his leadership, emotional and physical suffering, or his strength. A horror/psycho-thriller/nature movie masterpiece.
1
The Grey by Tomscottm
Just lousy. Liiam was very good,as always, casting good, story line wretched and unsatisfying. The message did not equal the tedium of the journey. A one trick pony for 2 hours plus.
2
Didn't like it, pointless by autumnrains67
I adore Liam Neeson, the acting is good, scenes are beautiful and I jumped at a couple of the wolf scenes. However, the movie seemed pointless. We walked out after wishing we hadn't seen it. I wouldn't advise this for kids . . . not sure who I would recommend it for.
5
Great acting...great writing...... by bullit98
It's rare that I go to a movie that doesn't have absolute action (explosions, mountains of bullets, carnage, big body count)......or the best in science fiction and vampire flicks....but this one...well... I wanted to give it a view...afterall....Liam is a great actor. I was not dissappointed.....it was a great flick about survival of the fittest........man vs. nature........but above and beyond that......it allowed the audience to get inside the minds of those who are about to die (and know it)......which always begs the proverbial question........"do you believe in the greater power.......is it a new found world of angels that will be guiding you towards a beautiful afterlife...or simply the fact that you will no longer exist?
4
The Thinking Man's Action Hero by tcgeorge
After reading so many of the reviews, my only guess is that this movie requires more brain-power than the average movie-goer cares to spare.
This is more than just a story of a plane crash and wolves. How do so many of you not see this? This movie shows a very depressed man who has lost his faith. He becomes the alpha-male of the pack of men he is stranded with and attempts to lead them to safety. The movie did a great job showing mortality and the choices we make to either give up or continue fighting.
I went becuase I was expecting Liam Neeson to kick a$$. He does, just not in the typical fashion you're used to. As one critic described him perfectly, "He's the thinking-man's action hero".
And for god's sake, why does everyone STILL leave before the credits are over?
2
Wolf Turd by Steve111111
Bad story line, bad directing, bad special effects (the wolves look fake and their restless pursuit of these guys is not realistic); so so acting (really not too much dialog), and stupid ending are not a good combo for this movie. Neeson's character (the hero) makes a series of senseless mistakes. I am sure it will make millions because of Neeson (and a low budget) but I suggest you save your money wait for this to hit cable, where it will be soon. On the up side the scenery in British Columbia was nice and at times Neeson is good. In short, I wish I would have spent my time and money on another movie.
2
Heavy with no redemption by webtroop2000
I don't want to just blast this movie ... it's my fault that I went into it without really knowing what it was about. Overall I think the movie was well done, the acting was great, special affects and scenery was good. I give the writer and director credit for their work, but just be warned, this isn't the classic US movie where the good guy always triumphs in the end. If you're in the mood for seeing a movie about a tough life, final attempts at survival through a struggling ordeal with everyone dying a slow painful death then by all means, this is a fantastic movie. If you're not quite in the mood for this, maybe skip this one for another time. This is a very heavy movie with virtually no redemption. I wasn't really in the mood for that so by the time it was over I was ready to leave, quite sobering.