Based on the novel by David Koepp, Cold Storage is a flawed but entertaining horror-comedy that also functions as an homage to 1990s action films.
Adapted by acclaimed screenwriter David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Minority Report) and directed with a cheeky touch by Jonny Campbell (Alien Autopsy), Cold Storage opens strong in the heat of the Australian desert.
Director: Jonny Campbell
Writer: David Koepp
Stars: Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell, Liam Neeson
Dr. Hope Enos (Sosie Bacon, known for Smile) is there to search for a highly dangerous fungus that has caused panic and deaths in the town of Kimikur.
Bioterrorism experts Robert Quinn (Liam Neeson) and Trini Romano (Lesley Manville) are also there to ensure a sample of the fungus is taken to the United States for further research.
Before you can say "chain reaction," or something similar, chaos erupts, in bloody fashion.
We jump to the present day, where the Kansas military complex is now a self-storage facility.
Underpaid and undervalued employees Travis "Teacake" Meecham (Joe Keery, from Stranger Things) and Naomi Williams (Georgina Campbell, from Barbarian) are trying to survive the night shift when they hear a noise coming from underground. Should they, perhaps, investigate?
Meanwhile, the now-retired Quinn receives a mysterious phone call that immediately sends him flying to the same Kansas facility.
There, Teacake, Naomi, and other (shady) characters associated with the storage facility (including the great Vanessa Redgrave in a somewhat baffling cameo) find themselves in mortal danger.
This time it takes a little longer, but eventually, chaos erupts, in completely bloody fashion.
On paper, Cold Storage sounds like a mix between James Gunn's Slither (2006) and a classic sci-fi thriller like The Andromeda Strain (1971).
In reality, it's far too uneven: Liam Neeson acts as if he's in a semi-serious disaster movie, while Campbell and Keery seem to be in something much lighter, almost a romantic comedy. These two characters have plenty of screen time to get to know each other, which, after the film's promising start, detracts from the tension and pacing. But in the second half of the movie, they get a chance to prove themselves when Quinn recruits them in a possibly futile attempt to save the world.
It's fun to watch the fungus run rampant, causing heads to explode and entire bodies to burst.
Despite its flaws, but nonetheless entertaining, Cold Storage is also a good film for those who are easily scared, because although it's gory, it's more funny than frightening.
Comments
Post a Comment