Whiteout

Who doesn’t love a high-action thriller in the middle of snowy nowhere? Well, that’s what “Whiteout” is in a nutshell. Kate Beckinsale plays Carrie Stetko, a marshal originally from Miami who finds herself doing duty down in the coldest, most crime-free place in the world. It comes as a real surprise when Carrie randomly finds a body in the middle of a quadrant where no one is stationed. Soon thereafter, she finds that the deceased was murdered by a crazy black-jacketed, hooded man with a pick axe that comes after Carrie a time or two.

In the shuffle, Carrie runs into U.N. operative, Robert Pryce, played by Gabriel Macht. Though Pryce is handsome and charming, Carrie can’t help but be leery about Pryce’s untimely arrival following her encounter with the murderer that could have resulted in her death. As the story goes on, the potential suspects dwindle down to a handful of those who Carrie trusts and those who she doesn’t. But, expect the unexpected with action thrillers, right? So, it’s up to you to decide whether Pryce is the nice guy he says he is or if he truly is the killer just out to get the rumored treasure under the ice.

I thought Gabriel Macht did an excellent job in his role. I haven’t seen him act in anything since “Because I Said So” with Mandy Moore and Diane Keaton, which he also did a great job in. I think this guy is an award winner; he’s cute and charismatic and seems to cope well in whatever role they place him in. I was really excited to see him in this film.

Kate Beckinsale also did a wonderful job (as usual). Everything Beckinsale touches turns to gold. Though “Whiteout” wasn’t the best of her blockbuster hits, she still upheld her reputation as being a very diverse actress that can take on a very feminine role or take one on the completely opposite end. I think I like her in more feminine roles personally, but she does play a good tough chick.

I can tell you one thing for sure: “Whiteout” does not serve as an advertising film to take a trip down to Antarctica! Between losing your fingers to frostbite and running through a snow storm away from a greedy lunatic decked out in black, I think this movie sealed the deal on my decision never to go see freezing, desolate Antarctica.

Frankly, the only emotion I had from this movie was indifference. Though the scenery was gorgeous, there were a few intense chase sequences and Kate Beckinsale and Gabriel Macht were in it, but I don’t really know if those facts outweigh the negatives. This movie was extremely predictable, there wasn’t a lot of character attachment and I didn’t really feel satisfied with the outcome of the film. My two cents: wait until DVD to watch this one – because it’s worth a watch, just not worth watching in the theatre.