Cold Pursuit Blu-ray Review

"Cold Pursuit" is presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate Films in an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Digitally captured using Arri Alexa cameras and presumably finished at a 2K Digital Intermediate (DI), the visual presentation exhibits a strong level of detail that aligns well with the film's snowy setting. The transfer handles the stark, wintry landscape impressively, displaying crisp, brilliant whites throughout, which allows for excellent visibility and showcases individual ice crystals in the sun's light. However, black levels fluctuate considerably, especially in the poorly-lit interior scenes, resulting in murky shadows that sometimes obscure finer details.

The color grading is carefully balanced to enhance the film's atmospherics, with cool tones adding to the bleak wintery feel and occasional warmer tones offering visual relief. While the palette noticeably leans towards teal and orange, limiting secondary hues, yellows and cyans are well-rendered, and primary colors—especially reds—are accurately saturated and vibrant. Close-ups are particularly noteworthy, revealing the weathered texture of Liam Neeson’s face and fine details in fabrics with high precision. Despite some fleeting instances of softness, particularly with CGI elements and certain interior shots where poor contrast is evident, the overall definition and clarity are commendable.

With high-definition visuals, fine lines along buildings, clothing, and roads remain sharply defined, even from a distance. Background details within homes are generally distinct, contributing to a sense of realism and immersion. While there are occasional lapses in detail, particularly during scenes with fluctuating black levels, "Cold Pursuit" delivers an aesthetically pleasing presentation that makes excellent use of its digital transfer. Overall, the results stand out well within the constraints of 1080p resolution.

The Dolby Atmos audio track for "Cold Pursuit" is commendable, delivering a solid auditory experience that aligns with its Ultra HD counterpart. Dialogue and the musical score are reproduced effortlessly, maintaining clarity and balance throughout. However, while the soundtrack is robust, it may not provide the constant immersive engagement some audiophiles seek. The vertical activity in the Atmos channels is sporadic, with overhead elements like blizzard winds subtly enhancing certain scenes but not consistently utilized.

Outdoor environments and action scenes stand out, benefiting from well-executed ambient effects that create a vivid portrayal of Kehoe's abrasive conditions. These moments are supplemented with dynamic bursts of sonic activity in the surround channels, incorporating both practical and whimsical sound effects, which elevate the intensity of key sequences. Despite the occasional lack of elevation in audio, the Dolby Atmos track ensures a problem-free auditory experience that complements the film's visual and narrative elements effectively.

The Blu Ray extras of "Cold Pursuit" present an engaging selection of featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, and trailers that provide substantial behind-the-scenes insights. "Welcome to Kehoe" delves into the film's creation with behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interviews. The individual interviews with Liam Neeson and director Hans Petter Moland are concise yet informative, giving personal perspectives on the filmmaking process. The deleted scenes offer additional context to the story, while the theatrical trailer revisits the promotional highlights of the movie. Overall, these extras enrich the viewing experience by offering both technical insights and personal anecdotes from the key contributors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Welcome to Kehoe: Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Interview with Liam Neeson: Actor discusses his role.
• Interview with Hans Petter Moland: Director shares his vision.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.

"Cold Pursuit" is a darkly humorous action revenge thriller with Liam Neeson embodying yet another avenging father figure, this time transformed from a snowplow driver named Nils Dickman in the original Scandinavian film to Nels Coxman in this American remake. Set in the wintry, fictitious town of Kehoe near Denver, the plot kicks off as Coxman's son, Kyle, played by Micheal Richardson, is found dead from an apparent heroin overdose. Suspicious and grief-stricken, Coxman resorts to vigilantism upon discovering the involvement of a drug cartel, leading to a chaotic sequence of retaliations that stirs up a raging gang war.

The storyline attempts a blend of dark comedy and visceral revenge drama under director Hans Petter Moland, who also directed the original "In Order of Disappearance." However, this Hollywood rendition struggles to seamlessly integrate humor into its grim narrative. The movie’s tone wavers, at times achieving an offbeat black comedy vibe but often lapsing into forced darkness, lacking the finely tuned balance that characterized its predecessor. The ongoing gang war subplot, featuring Tom Bateman as the antagonist Viking and Tom Jackson as rival drug dealer White Bull, further detracts from the film's cohesiveness.

While the ensemble cast includes high-caliber actors like Laura Dern and Emmy Rossum, their roles are notably underdeveloped. Explicit nods to "Fargo" and the "Taken" franchise surface but fail to reach similar heights of intrigue or emotional engagement. Despite a handful of effective scenes, "Cold Pursuit" is ultimately an uneven effort, veering between straightforward action sequences and awkwardly executed moments of black comedy. Though the premise holds promise for biting satire in a snow-laden setting, the film’s execution leaves it stranded in a mixed genre purgatory.

"Cold Pursuit" is a black comedy thriller directed by Hans Petter Moland, featuring Liam Neeson in a role that satirizes his well-known action persona. Set in a ski resort town amidst a drug war and strewn with dead bodies, the film blends dark humor with action-packed sequences. While the plot is dense and the film occasionally struggles to balance its comedic and action elements, it remains an entertaining mixed-genre experience. Neeson's performance is peculiarly engaging and offers a fresh, albeit self-referential, take on his screen image.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release of "Cold Pursuit" does not disappoint. The high-definition video presentation captures the icy, mountainous landscapes of Colorado with impeccable clarity and detail. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is generally satisfying, enhancing the film's immersive qualities, although it may not be groundbreaking. However, the bonus material is sparse and may leave some fans wanting more.

In conclusion, "Cold Pursuit" might have benefited from a more streamlined plot and a bolder embrace of its comedic aspects. Nevertheless, with solid technical merits and a delightfully morbid sense of humor, it offers an enjoyable viewing experience. For those with a penchant for dark comedy and action, this Blu-ray edition is a worthwhile addition to their collection.