A riveting and unconventionally humorous action-thriller starring the inimitable Liam Neeson has landed on Netflix, ready to be streamed.
The film presents a delightful blend of gripping revenge drama peppered with unexpected laughs, just in time to light up those lengthy, dark winter nights as the festive Christmas season beckons.
Netflix members can savour this latest offering at no additional charge, with the movie being an absolute treat for devotees of Neeson looking to see him in a refreshingly alternative role.
Taking inspiration from the Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance, Neeson steps into the shoes of Nels Coxman, a snowplow driver residing in Colorado, whose tranquil family existence is shattered following his son’s murder by a notorious drug ring operating out of Denver, leading him on an implacable quest for retribution.
While Cold Pursuit may initially seem like your quintessential Neeson action extravaganza, both audiences and critics concur that it diverges substantially from his more criticised mainstream offerings, reports the Irish Star.
Not only does Rotten Tomatoes rank it among the finest action features of 2019, but numerous esteemed critics have also hailed it as a cinematic experience not to be overlooked.
Entertainment Weekly comments: “If [Cold Pursuit] sounds like murder-by-numbers Liam Neeson Mad Libs, well, it kind of is. But what sets Cold Pursuit apart from its predecessors is its tone.
“It has the jokey, self-amused vibe of an Elmore Leonard novel or one of those arch, wannabe Tarantino knock-offs that sprouted up like toadstools in the wake of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction and were quickly forgotten.
“It knows exactly what kind of movie it is, but that doesn’t stand in the way of it goosing its bloodbath set pieces with irreverent, off-kilter gallows humor.”
Empire lauded Cold Pursuit with a four-star rating, remarking: “A typically taciturn turn from Neeson is surrounded by a colourful cast, gallows humour and complete disrespect for cinematic stereotypes. A little bloated, maybe, but deserves kudos for joining the road not Taken.”
Forbes was effusive in its praise, dubbing the film 2019’s “first great comedy” and extolling the virtues of its script: “What makes this movie shine is the quality of the screenplay”, while drawing parallels to the works of Tarantino and the Coen Brothers.
The thriller has garnered a massive following among cinema-goers, with Letterboxd users posting glowing tributes.
One enthusiast expressed surprise at the film’s quality: “Honestly this is better than it has any right to be,” and revealed their discovery: “It turns out it’s a black comedy.”
Another viewer suggested: “I haven’t seen the foreign original but if you want a Liam Neeson movie that strays from his usual run of the mill action movies.. look no further.
“Immaculate. That’s the one word that comes to mind when I think of Cold Pursuit,” another fan said. “An absolute delight that I could watch over and over again.”
And one more admirer summed up their experience: “As funny as it is dark, grim as it is hilarious. Zero structure, no semblance of characters other than brief glimpses of their personality, no plot other than son for a son, but a perfect blend of what’s given to us nonetheless. Definitely a guilty pleasure.”
Film enthusiasts concur that Cold Pursuit is certainly one to watch, so will you be tuning in this week?
Cold Pursuit is available to stream on Netflix.