By Punitha Yogaratnam
Whiteout
Rating(out of 5): * * ½
(Warner Bros.)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Tom Skerritt, Alex O’Laughlin, Columbus Short
Sixty years ago, a plane flies over the icy desolate landscape that is the Antarctica. A Russian co-pilot goes to the cargo area and eyes a locked box. Later a shootout ensues and in the commotion the pilot is hit by a stray bullet. The plane takes a nosedive and crashes.
That's the beginning scene of Whiteout. Right after that you're thrust back into present day Antarctica at the Amundsen-Scott Research Station. You follow the striking U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko back to her room and you watch her undress and take a very hot steamy bath.
Whiteout is billed as an action thriller but they don't warn you that the action only happens in the first few minutes and the last few minutes of the movie. Honestly, those are the only times when you'll find your heart pumping. The rest of the time you'll spend thinking, “When is this movie going to end?” And believe me the end took a long time coming.
Brrr: This is the fifth time you're re-taking this shot. Isn't it over yet?!
Whiteout is about a murder that takes place in an area of Antarctica known as no-man's land. This is the first murder for the icy state and it's also U.S. Marshal Stetko's first real challenge in a long time. As Stetko tries to piece together what happened, she uncovers a secret that could cost her her life. With only hours before the last plane leaves never to come back for another six months, Stetko must race to unravel the mystery or risk being stranded on the ice as darkness and the killer closes in.
Reading the synopsis of the movie, you'd think this was a great thriller. The movie isn't that bad, but neither is it good. Acting-wise, Kate Beckinsale is great in this movie. She plays Stetko very convincingly. Reese Witherspoon was first pegged for the role but later dropped out and seeing Beckinsale play Stetko, you'll realise that had Witherspoon taken it, the movie would have sucked big time. Beckinsale is just meant to do action roles.
IT'S WHOSE FAULT?: It's not you. Blame it on the director
I found that the movie's lack of oomph had nothing to do with the actors, but with director, Dominic Sena. Slow doesn't even describe the agonizing torture you're put through as you wait for the director to set up a scene. The going back and forth from one station to another is not only torturous for Stetko and gang but for the moviegoer too. We get it. It's cold. Very cold. And it's not easy walking in the blinding snow. Sena didn't have to hit us on the head with a popsicle to tell us that, but that's what he did … several times and that's what I think did this movie in.
Go see Whiteout only if you're a fan of Beckinsale and only if you have nothing else better to do.
Surfing: http://whiteoutmovie.warnerbros.com
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