I would like to start off this review by saying that this movie is not perfect, but the negative hype that it received was not warranted. The first time I watched this film, I was simply disappointed by the ending, because lets be honest, I wanted to watch Liam Neeson kick some wolf ass. I was mad, angry, and bitter about how the film ended. But fast-forward a few months to the second watch, and this is where the real beauty of this film presented itself to me.
Before I get into the heart of this review, I want to offer some quick explanations for my high praise of this movie. Yes, I would recommend this film to anyone looking for an entertaining and suspenseful action film. The cinematography is beautiful, the script is well written, Neeson provides an outstanding performance (along with great supporting performances from the other actors), and the music and sound is exceptional, especially in sending chills down your spine whenever the wolves howl. Watch this movie in a dark room at night with surround sound, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Now to the truth of the issue. THIS MOVIE IS NOT ABOUT THE WOLVES. This film is an emotional, suspenseful, and extensively metaphorical journey through the will of man to survive. Yes, wolves would not brutally hunt down humans. No, this film was not made to paint wolves in a bad light. The wolves in the film are simply a vehicle to convey one of the most masterfully crafted metaphors I have ever witnessed in a film.
This is a story of survival. Each wolf represents a different fear that the men face, all of which try to kill them. The alpha wolf represents death, the leader of all fears that man must face. Since black is associated with death, it makes sense that the alpha wolf is black to complete the picture. Each man throughout the film struggles against his deepest fear, and eventually dies at the hands of it. It becomes clear on the plane that Flannery's biggest fear is being left out/excluded, and he dies when he gets separated from the group. Burke's biggest fear is being alone, which is supported by his struggle with the death of his sister. He dies alone during the storm before Ottway tries to wake him. Talget fears heights, and dies from a fall crossing the canyon. Even Diaz, who's biggest fear simply is feeling fear itself, dies alone while waiting for the wolves to come to him, whispering to himself "I'm not afraid".
Now to Ottway. After almost committing suicide at the beginning of the film, I wondered why this man would go to such incredible lengths to survive. And I believe it is because his biggest fear is not having a purpose. After the plane crashes, he feels a purpose to help the other men survive. Even after they all die, he carries their wallets (essentially their souls) and feels the need to defend them against death (the alpha wolf) in the end.
I would also like to point out how the entire film is about Ottway and the men running from their fears (the wolves). But they always catch up. Even when Ottway seems to escape all of these, he ends up in the den facing death (the alpha). This is a parallel to how no matter what, every person will eventually face death. It cannot be outrun. The beauty of how a man on the brink of suicide fights death in the bleakest moment really resonated with me on the second watch, when I could truly figure out what this film meant. Ottway is essentially a Christ figure, which is supported by the cut after the credits showing him putting his hand on the alpha as it dies (he conquers death and saves the wallets/souls of the dead), along with his call to God to help him after Henrick's death.
All of this to say look closer. This is not about Liam Neeson killing wolves. This is not about wolves being portrayed as vicious creatures. This is about fear, death, life, and the human spirit. This is a metaphorical journey into the purpose of life, religion, and survival. Look past the superficial, and find the deeper meaning. You will not only appreciate the film, you will love it. I encourage you to watch this film again, to travel once more into the fray, and to truly understand the magnitude of what is being explored in this exceptional film.
Before I get into the heart of this review, I want to offer some quick explanations for my high praise of this movie. Yes, I would recommend this film to anyone looking for an entertaining and suspenseful action film. The cinematography is beautiful, the script is well written, Neeson provides an outstanding performance (along with great supporting performances from the other actors), and the music and sound is exceptional, especially in sending chills down your spine whenever the wolves howl. Watch this movie in a dark room at night with surround sound, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Now to the truth of the issue. THIS MOVIE IS NOT ABOUT THE WOLVES. This film is an emotional, suspenseful, and extensively metaphorical journey through the will of man to survive. Yes, wolves would not brutally hunt down humans. No, this film was not made to paint wolves in a bad light. The wolves in the film are simply a vehicle to convey one of the most masterfully crafted metaphors I have ever witnessed in a film.
This is a story of survival. Each wolf represents a different fear that the men face, all of which try to kill them. The alpha wolf represents death, the leader of all fears that man must face. Since black is associated with death, it makes sense that the alpha wolf is black to complete the picture. Each man throughout the film struggles against his deepest fear, and eventually dies at the hands of it. It becomes clear on the plane that Flannery's biggest fear is being left out/excluded, and he dies when he gets separated from the group. Burke's biggest fear is being alone, which is supported by his struggle with the death of his sister. He dies alone during the storm before Ottway tries to wake him. Talget fears heights, and dies from a fall crossing the canyon. Even Diaz, who's biggest fear simply is feeling fear itself, dies alone while waiting for the wolves to come to him, whispering to himself "I'm not afraid".
Now to Ottway. After almost committing suicide at the beginning of the film, I wondered why this man would go to such incredible lengths to survive. And I believe it is because his biggest fear is not having a purpose. After the plane crashes, he feels a purpose to help the other men survive. Even after they all die, he carries their wallets (essentially their souls) and feels the need to defend them against death (the alpha wolf) in the end.
I would also like to point out how the entire film is about Ottway and the men running from their fears (the wolves). But they always catch up. Even when Ottway seems to escape all of these, he ends up in the den facing death (the alpha). This is a parallel to how no matter what, every person will eventually face death. It cannot be outrun. The beauty of how a man on the brink of suicide fights death in the bleakest moment really resonated with me on the second watch, when I could truly figure out what this film meant. Ottway is essentially a Christ figure, which is supported by the cut after the credits showing him putting his hand on the alpha as it dies (he conquers death and saves the wallets/souls of the dead), along with his call to God to help him after Henrick's death.
All of this to say look closer. This is not about Liam Neeson killing wolves. This is not about wolves being portrayed as vicious creatures. This is about fear, death, life, and the human spirit. This is a metaphorical journey into the purpose of life, religion, and survival. Look past the superficial, and find the deeper meaning. You will not only appreciate the film, you will love it. I encourage you to watch this film again, to travel once more into the fray, and to truly understand the magnitude of what is being explored in this exceptional film.