U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) elects to be stationed at the remote base on Antarctica because of a case that went bad. Just as nearly everyone is about to leave for winter, though, a body is found and Stetko must investigate the seventh continent’s first murder. The punishing landscape surrounding her only makes Stetko’s attempts to find the killer all the more difficult.

CRITIQUE

A recent favorite literary source material for Hollywood has been the graphic novel. Though many are more than “adult comic books” and can be the basis of exciting movie-going experiences, there are some that do not bear great cinematic fruit. Unfortunately, this film is one of the latter. Whiteout is ultimately a silly and only briefly exciting film despite the efforts of a talented director and cast.

There are more than several flaws in this film, which is a shame because the initial idea behind the plot is intriguing. What would investigating the first murder on Antarctica be like? That isn’t to say that there aren’t things to enjoy about this film, because there are, but the parts never add up to something that fully realizes the cinematic potential of the premise. Director Dominic Sena does his best to take advantage of the strikingly beautiful icy terrain, and he also uses visually interesting coloring techniques for different sequences set in the past. He is also adept at action scenes but these things aren’t enough to really mask the imperfections in the story.

The problem is that the extremely tired and predictable formula of a thriller is followed so rigidly that the few glimmers of originality and imagination are given no chance to breathe. Chases are hindered by the tethers the characters have to be hooked to for safety. There are a lot of hints to point to the U.N. investigator (played by Gabriel Macht) who arrives after the first murder which are false leads for the audience. And of course Stetko is running from a past case by hiding herself in the far reaches of the world.

For the most part, the performers are too good for the material. Kate Beckinsale has always been a solid performer, while seeing a vet like Tom Skerritt here is extremely welcome. Macht is my favorite, though, as he has a subtlety and command of the screen that virtually begs the viewer to want to see more of him. Let’s hope he’s given a larger role with an excellent script soon. The performances seem to be another area where this film is less than the sum of its parts.

Ultimately, Whiteout struggles with a mediocre story that even interesting direction and appealing casting can do little to improve.

THE VIDEO

Whiteout is presented in anamorphic widescreen. Aside from the glitch-free transfer of picture and color, the aspect ratio of the theatrical exhibition (not to be overlooked) is preserved. The same cannot be said for full screen, which is also available on this disc.

THE AUDIO

This disc delivers on the soundtrack, providing not only the English track in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround but also the French and Spanish language tracks in that format. All three languages are also given subtitles.

THE EXTRAS

Additional Scenes: Only two scenes are shown here, but they are actually not bad -- they might have improved the final film. The first takes place early in the film and involves a humorous report from a lab tech to Stetko about someone stealing the marijuana he was secretly growing. The other shows Stetko and the pilot helping her talking to the staff of the Russian base where the second murder occurs. This scene clarifies that there is more than one building at the Russian facility and that there are people there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Though the performances and direction put up a strong fight, the weak story of Whiteout is insurmountable in the end. Director Sena and the actors prove to have talent better suited elsewhere, and the single extra feature on this disc makes this only a slightly better viewing experience. Die-hard action fans will probably feel like they haven’t wasted time with Whiteout, but the majority of viewers won’t miss anything if they skip it.