Cold Storage review
A fun creature feature like comedy that could have used a bit of polish.
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Cold Storage
Directed by Jonny Campbell
Screenplay by David Koepp
Starring Jor Keery, Georgina Campbell, Liam Neeson, Sosie Bacon, Lesley Manville, Aaron Hefferman and Vanessa Redgrave
Cold Storage Review
At its best, Cold Storage feels like it’s going to turn into an 80s movie. Depending on how old you are…that might not sound like the compliment it is meant to be seen as. 80s horror movies rock. The practical effects, the dark humor, the sleaziness, the stray 1950s greaser characters…it was a great time to be a horror fan. Cold Storage feels like it wants to be part of the fun. Sometimes…it gets there. Other times it becomes clear that the script needed some punching up before the cameras started rolling.
Cold Storage has all the elements you want in a horror comedy. There are some fun effects, fine comedic moments, some sleaziness and a biker gang. Which is the same list I put above…just a bit more generic sounding. This is where another pass on the script would have done the movie some good. A punch up could have made those comedic moments sting a bit more…and that would have turned a good watch into a great one. The cast is stronger than you’ll see in most 80s horror movies. It makes up for some of what’s lacking.
A killer fungus is on the loose in Cold Storage. The story begins nearly two decades ago with the discovery of an alien spore that has wiped out a small town. While it is believed to have been contained…Liam Neeson’s character isn’t so sure. He turns out to be right, of course. Climate change has led to a meltdown of the freezing conditions a sample has been stored in. The self-storage building built on top of it is about to have a very bad day. Travis (Joe Keery) and Naomi (Georgina Campbell) are working the night shift when the fungus hits the fan.
The fungus turns you into a zombie-like creature until it explodes you from the inside. This is something we see in the opening scene…unfortunately for Sosie Bacon’s scientist character. The fungus adapts to survive and is pretty much unstoppable without nuking it to high heaven. Neeson’s character has anticipated its return and stands ready to wage a one man war against it. Even with the bad back that comes with his now advanced age. It’s a fun character for Neeson who gets some comedic moments while still being the smartest person in the room.
Keery and Campbell carry most of the movie. Travis has spent time in jail for some bad choices and needs to keep his job at the storage facility or he’ll violate his parole. Naomi has a daughter at home and a baby daddy that won’t leave her alone. They’re likable characters that are caught in a ridiculous situation.
Campbell continues to build her genre resume full of impressive performances. From Barbarian to Influencers, she has shown herself to be a perfect fit for horror. With Cold Storage she proves to be a perfect fit for horror/comedies. She’s probably the best part of a movie that has a lot of good parts. With a starring turn in Psycho Killer on tap next week…there doesn’t seem to be any slowing down her ascension as a modern Scream Queen.
Keery initially feels like an odd fit (I avoided “strange” and am proud of myself) for the ex-con even if it isn’t a violent crime. He’s meant to be liked though…so he wins you over fairly quickly. Neeson is in the movie a good amount…though he’s clearly third in the story’s pecking order. He’s given a good character who remains incredibly capable despite a number of problems to deal with. He brings the expected gravitas to the role…and gets to do some fun things.
“Some fun things” might be the best way to describe Cold Storage as a whole. Infected people start popping up all over the facility, leaving Travis and Naomi to try and survive until Liam Neeson’s one man cavalry can arrive. The movie gives us an unlikable boss to root against…especially when he becomes the biggest factor in the fungus’ spread to other people. There is an exploding deer and a lot of green vomit to maneuver around if they want to survive. Not to mention the biker gang full of infected people…and Naomi’s ex who just wants to vomit in her mouth.
There’s plenty of fun to be had in Cold Storage. The only frustration is how close it comes to delivering even more. A good watch that knocks on the door of being a great one…but doesn’t wait for someone to answer it. A few dialog tweaks to sharpen the comedy would have gotten it done.
Scare Value
Cold Storage can give you a fun time at the theater. There’s enough killing to satiate your bloodlust. There are enough laughs to make for an enjoyable watch. The cast is strong; the effects are good…and it almost becomes wild enough to evoke the best period of fun horror comedies. One more pass at the script and Cold Storage could have joined them.
3/5
Cold Storage Link
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