Whiteout

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2010/01/19
Price : $17.49

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Baby, it's cold outside: that's the problem for U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale), the only law-enforcement officer assigned to Antarctica. On the verge of shipping out before the really bad weather hits, Carrie is confronted with a mysterious murder that sounds like a riddle: how'd a lone corpse find its way to the middle of an ice field, as though dropped from a great height? And what's this have to do with the prologue about a Soviet fighter jet crashing some decades earlier? Whiteout, based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka, solves these questions in a brisk if mostly preposterous manner, and it moves swiftly enough so you don't have to spend too much time on the plausibility of it all. Among the other snowbound stragglers are a U.N. investigator (Gabriel Macht, of The Spirit), some cocky pilots (Alex O'Laughlin, Columbus Short), and a grizzled doctor (Tom Skerritt). If the presence of Skerritt conjures up memories of Alien, with its ten-little-Indians structure and female warrior, hold on--Whiteout doesn't actually have a supernatural twist to it, and Beckinsale is no Sigourney Weaver. But director Dominic Sena (undistinguished by his cheesy film Swordfish) puts the screws to the material in a relentless way, and the vast exteriors (shot in Canada) are impressive. And when it comes to one particular wow-you're-really-going-there instance of potential amputation for a main character, the film doesn't back down. In fact it sort of revels in the moment. --Robert Horton

I just recently saw this movie and did not know what it was about but I really liked it. Although it was different it provided for me the same suspense and thrill of "The Thing". There were 2 great fight scenes and in the first one where the heroine eventually lost 2 of her fingers I was jumping out of my seat in terror. It is a good who dunnit. I was pleasantly surprised. Also, I like it when "tough" chicks win out.

Kate Beckinsale plays a U.S. Marshall stationed in Anarctica. (Do they have them there?) She investigates a murder which develops into a series of murders including an attempt on her life. The number of suspects is slightly more than a Scooby-Doo episode, but not by much. After a Russian plane crashes in 1957, the movie shifts to the present with a gratitous scene of Kate peeling off layers of clothes to take a shower. However, that is not the "some nudity" promised in the rating box. It is male streakers. The amount of hard whiskey drinking I find incredible as alcohol is one of the worst drinks one can have in a freezing environment and a level headed marshall would know that. In addition to the murders, Kate has to battle the elements as well as frequent Miami flashbacks, explained about midway through the movie. I found Beckinsale unconvincing in her role. In fact all the characters are stiff without any memorable personality traits. I also believe this movie could have been enhanced with a better soundtrack.

I agree with the previous positive reviewers, and highly recommend this film. It does what a good film should do, and that is keep you entertained by keeping things moving along at a good pace, steadily adding interesting story elements and ultimately building to a plausible ending. It is first rate visually.

Something about cold environments I find chilling in more than one way. A perfect setting for a mystery. Why did Russians fight to the death on an airplane fifty years ago? Why does the body count go up when some scientist digging for core samples in the Antarctic find the plane? Who all is involved in killing people? Whose the masked guy with the ice axe trying to take your head off? All these and more questions will be answered by the conclusion of the movie. From the cutesy picture on the cover I fully expected some overly cute woman to pander to the camera as she trotted around half naked trying to do a job she was ill suited. Well whomever designed the cover should be slapped as it does the movie an injustice. This is a genuine well done mystery in the Antarctic with good story, directing, acting, sets, music, et cetera. From some of the reviews I thought it might stink but I was impressed with it and glad I rented it. This US Marshal, well played by Kate Beckinsale, is no slouch and she comes complete with a back story as to why she is stationed in such an inhospitable environment. When they find a body on the ice she is suspicious of it's condition as she has seen one similar in a much warmer clime. She is nearly killed on a few ocassions as she tries to discover what someone is hiding and why they are killing people at the outposts. If you enjoy mysteries I suggest you at least rent this one and leave any preconceptions behind before hitting play. Good quality DVD, but only some language choices included. If you enjoyed this catch Mindhunters.

CA Luster

I haven't read the graphic novel, so I can't say how faithful it is to the original concept, but it is an awesome movie in its own right. It's a "on the edge of your seat" kind of movie from start to finish. Kate Beckinsale is gorgeous as always, and actually makes amputation sexy! (You'll see what I mean.) If you love action/suspense/mystery movies, you will love this. I have no idea why this movie did not get better reviews, but I am sooooo glad I found it. My new "favorite" movie!