Cold Pursuit

   It's February and traditionally time for a Liam Neeson "action" film. But before you roll your eyes and say "again", this one sneaks up on you and is not what you usually have come to expect.

    Based on a 2014 Norwegian film, "In Order of Disappearance", the original director, Hans Petter Moland, directs this American version with the same action and dark humor that made that film so much fun.

    While Mr. Neeson does set out for revenge once again, this time, he unknowingly sets off a drug turf war and the high body count isn't all his fault. The film is set in the winter in a small ski town outside Denver. Mr. Neeson is a snowplow driver and model citizen. Of course things begin to go off the rails and it isn't long before bodies start piling up. To give away more would ruin the fun.

            The film co-stars Laura Dern, who is wasted in a small "blink and you miss it" role as Mr. Neeson's wife. Also co-starring are Emmy Rossum, Tom Bateman, William Forsythe, Domenick Lombardozzi and John Doman. And I must also credit Mr. Neeson's snowplow, which is a character unto itself.

            The film moves at a leisurely pace but has enough dark humor between killings to keep you involved. The action sequences are plentiful and spread evenly throughout the film. The snowy mountain locations make for a beautiful backdrop for a film with its share of bloody violence.