Review of Whiteout (2009) by Jeffrey L — 05 Oct 2011

Hey there all you fans of action thrillers with hot babes in the leadâ¦Whiteout may not be the best film of its genre, but it carries the ingredients to please its hardcore fans. With a watchable Kate Beckinsale in the lead and a story with enough oohs and aahs to keep it from becoming dull and repetitive, this one is harmless compared to typical films of the category and comes off as more entertaining than most.

Set in Antarctica, Beckinsale is a tortured woman (dealing with brutal baggage from a disastrous former relationship) serving with a group of U.S. Marshals who try to investigate a series of malicious killings, the biggest being a Soviet plane which seemingly crashed over half a century prior and still contains the carcasses of the unfortunate souls whose remains have been preserved. While exploring the ancient wreckage, Beckinsale and her partner nearly become victimized by an avalanche, but are rescued. Yet ultimately they come to realize a psychopath is on the loose (in Antarctica of all places!) and has set out for Beckinsale as his prey. Could this sicko be after her regarding this historical incident and can she outsmart him before things get too horrific?

Though far from a memorable film, convincing performances, impressive arctic cinematography and a chilling atmosphere (in more ways than one) make this a good view. It died a sudden death at the box office in mid 2009 (itâ(TM)s undoubtedly a better rental than anything else), but few should argue that Beckinsale is well cast in the lead and provides a great deal of eye candy (particularly in her steamy shower scene). She and Alex Oâ(TM)Loughlin are coincidentally cast in the same film with prior vampire roles in their early careers and both abandon their accents here. Filmed in Canada.