Neeson’s character Ottaway battles a vicious pack of wolfs after crashing in the woods in his new winter film. (Associated Press)

Imagine being stranded, cold and hunted by wolves. It’s a nightmare none of us would want to live out and the unsavory premise of Liam Neeson’s new survival film, “The Grey.”

Unfortunately, it’s a premise that does not quite satisfy.

Vague, murky and despondent, the “Grey” is less of a wilderness survival tale and more of an anticlimactic horror film.

Directed by Joe Carnahan, “The Grey” follows an oil drilling crew straded in the Alaskan wilderness after surviving a tragic plane crash.

Being isolated, starving and freezing is hard enough, but the crew had a bigger problem to deal with: a large pack of human-hungry wolves.

Freezing temperatures and ravenous wolves make for a plotline that is as unrealistic as it is predictable.

The cast that starts out at seven quickly dwindles as the wolves encroach.

Neeson stars as Ottaway, who seems to share a strange connection with the wolves and acts as the group’s leader following the crash.

Gruff and subdued, Neeson’s character confidently leads his crew through no man’s land only to be taken off guard around every corner by giant wolves.

A quiet movie with very little conversation or actual plot, “The Grey” offers just enough quality acting and gory death scenes to keep you from leaving the theater.

The supporting cast, especially Frank Grillo as John Diaz and Dermot Mulroney as Talget, are convincing as rugged men striving to survive.

The death scenes, while difficult to watch, are the only reminder to the audience to stay engaged.

The only other consolation prize is the beautiful Alaskan backdrop of the film presented masterfully by cinematographer Masanobu Takayanaoi.

Perhaps the biggest pitfall of the film is the lack of a climatic moment. The men wander and wander through the snow but never accomplish much of anything. And the audience is not awarded with any sense of resolution at the film’s finale. 

In fact, the only attempt at conclusion comes for those patient enough to sit through the end credits. 

A little slow and tedious, “The Grey” can still be enjoyed under certain conditions. Take it for what it is: a beautifully presented unrealistic bloodbath.

“The Grey” opens in theaters nationwide on Friday.