Cold Storage

Directed by Jonny Campbell, Cold Storage follows several characters, including Joe Keery’s Teacake and Liam Neeson’s Robert, as they attempt to prevent a deadly fungus from escaping into the world. It’s compelling subject matter that’s employed to slightly erratic yet mostly entertaining effect by Campbell, and there’s little doubt, certainly, that Campbell does a terrific job of initially luring the viewer into the pulpy proceedings – with the picture’s terrific opening, which explains the origins of said fungus and features a memorable appearance by Sosie Bacon as a doomed scientist, certainly setting the stage for a fun, larger-than-life horror narrative. (It doesn’t hurt, certainly, that both Keery and costar Georgina Campbell offer up engaging, charismatic work as the film’s reluctant heroes.) And while the movie’s midsection admittedly does contain a small handful of lulls, as well as a recurring reliance on decidedly less-than-polished computer-generated effects, Cold Storage, once it passes a certain point, becomes an agreeably (and palpably) propulsive endeavor that boasts several standout (and appreciatively disgusting) digressions and set-pieces – which, when combined with a satisfying climax, ultimately confirms the movie’s place as a solid adaptation that never wears out its welcome.

*** out of ****