Cold Pursuit (R)

“Cold Pursuit” may not be quite what you expect. I saw the previews for the 2019 action movie, and saw one of my favorite actors, Liam Neeson, going on a vigilante mission to avenge something horrible that happened to his family. I thought, while we’ve seen Neeson in this role numerous times before (see “Taken,” “Unknown,” “The Commuter”) it would make for a fun Man Movie. I didn’t expect a dark comedy. Directed by Hans Petter Moland and a remake of the 2014 Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance,” “Cold Pursuit” models itself in the like of a Tarantino bloodbath with the backdrop of the Coen Brothers classic “Fargo” mixed in as well.

Neeson plays Nels Coxman, the definition of an Average Joe. Coxman is a plow driver for a fictional ski resort town. He has a wife (played by Laura Dern) and a son, and by all accounts, lives a quiet and simple life, that is, until a series of events pits him against a brutal drug cartel in his pursuit of vigilante style justice, armed with a sawn-off shotgun. Liam Neeson could order an iced coffee and I’d be compelled to watch. We’ve seen him excel in serious roles in “Schindler’s List” and “Michael Collins.” He has since found a niche as an action star, despite being 67 years old, a role in which he seems content to play, and we feel intent to watch.

Like “Fargo,” the climate in “Cold Pursuit” becomes a character unto itself. The snowfall looks cartoonishly massive, and the lone road leading into Denver is shown multiple times as the separation between city and country, and bad and good. The cinematography is surprisingly excellent. You’ll feel chilly watching, as Nels drives his enormous plow in and around the frozen landscape, with several beautiful shots of the Denver skyline thrown in for great visuals. Also in “Fargo” style is the pair of bumbling local cops who get involved in the mix-up.
What’s different with “Cold Pursuit” is it opens with a certain serious nature you may expect, but quickly and intentionally turns to comedy. Not to say it’s bad, just out of left field, from Nel’s superhuman strength and flawless hairline, to the overly comical antics of the bad guy, a drug kingpin called Viking (Tom Bateman), by far the funniest character in the movie. Viking is a ruthless killer who stops to chastise his young son for eating sugary foods. He’s suave in appearance but so over the top with his lines. At first I thought Bateman was just a bad actor, but when I realized its intent found him excellent and enjoyable in every scene.

The violence and subtle humor make “Cold Pursuit” play out like a graphic novel. There’s even a running tally of the deaths that displays many, many times. It’s a different style film, enjoyable in a weird way, and checks all the boxes as a good Man Movie.