Project-Blu Whiteout, by M. Enois Duarte

Whiteout

By: M. Enois Duarte, 2.4.2010

The Movie Itself:
If not for some loud action sequences, 'Whiteout' would make a great movie to lull a person to sleep. The latest action thriller from Dominic Sena ('Gone in Sixty Seconds', 'Swordfish'), who is poised to deliver this year's next (likely) bad movie in 'Season of the Witch' with Nicolas Cage, stands proudly in line with the worst movies of 2009. Yes, this movie most definitely joins the ranks of 'All About Steve', 'I Love You Beth Cooper', 'Year One', 'Obsessed', 'Old Dogs', 'Jennifer's Body', 'Sorority Row', 'Observe and Report', 'Confessions of A Shopaholic', 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen', 'The Informers', 'Bride Wars', 'Halloween II', 'The Stepfather', and the oh-so dreadful 'Miss March'. And this is only the abridged inventory, movies which were granted major theatrical releases! Yes, the year was shamefully appalling.

On the bright side, however, there is also a long list of excellent and well-made films released last year. But the Kate Beckinsale starrer is alas not one to make that list. The movie has a list of its own, and the fact that it is regrettably dull and uninspiring is only the half of it. The Antarctic landscape offers a unique premise for a murder mystery, but it's squandered on a by-the-numbers storyline with downright silly dialogue and an absurd treasure-hunt plot. In spite of some snowstorms so thick that viewers can barely tell the difference between one parka-wearing character and the other parka-wearing murderer, we can figure out the real mastermind within minutes because he's always giving our heroine the shifty eye. Besides, we've seen this movie far too many times, except they always take place in warmer climates.

Ultimately, 'Whiteout' leaves audiences out in the cold as the script meanders along from one red herring to the next, and none are ever truly convincing at concealing the movie's shortcomings or the lack of interest. Even Beckinsale's U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko desperately wants to leave the confines of the research facility because nothing ever happens in this icy desert. The character's backstory is completely superfluous and inconsequential since it fails to have an overall effect on the narrative's proceedings and reeks of amateur delivery, both in writing and how it's portrayed on screen. The murders themselves are also lifeless and treated so matter-of-factly that once motives are revealed, it all seems unnecessary and nonsensical. It's ridiculous the amount of ridiculousness on display from one scene to the next.

The filmmakers, on the other hand, take a moment to satisfy the salivating imagination of the male audience, showing Beckinsale leisurely remove her heavy uniform and take a shower. For a character that we later learn has trust issues, there is only one reason for such a display and reveals just how bad of a writing team a pair of brothers can make. At one point in the movie, Gabriel Macht's ('The Spirit') character, a United Nations investigator, comments that the murders are the first ever committed in Antarctica. After sitting through this trek, it's obvious why. Chase scenes require a great deal of effort from participants, strapping and unstrapping themselves from a rope and walking against a 50mph wind storm. It's nearly laughable watching them struggle in slow motion, pretending to run from one building to the other.

The story actually originates from a graphic novel of the same name by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, not that it would matter much. With such a compelling backdrop of bleakness and frost, 'Whiteout' falls short of taking advantage of its surroundings and has more to do with the correction fluid than it does with a mystery thriller. Something used for covering up mistakes but dries into a flaky mess after only a few minutes. The plot is outlandish and needlessly elaborate as it strains to find a worthy rationale to explain how a random person turns into a cold-hearted murderer. Yes, indeed, Kate Beckinsale's latest flick is one of the worst of 2009.
Rating: 2/10

The Presentation:
Warner Brothers releases 'Whiteout' with a good if only somewhat lacking VC-1 encode and presented in a 2.40:1 window. It's not so much that it looks bad or shows many artifacts as it simply doesn't compare to some of the best we've seen from a new release. Frankly, it's quite boring and unexciting to watch. Contrast is not all that consistent and is mostly listless throughout, providing only a few scenes with crisp, punchy whites while others fall flat and grayish. Fine object detailing is also hit or miss with sequences wavering between sharply defined and sudden softness. In close-up, facial complexions are revealing and attractively textured while distance shots make actors look smooth. At least skin tones are appropriate to weather conditions. On the plus side, the transfer boasts strong, rich black levels and very good delineation within the shadows. Colors are intentionally subdued, but primaries are accurate and cleanly rendered. Overall, the picture quality for this Kate Beckinsale thriller is not likely to wow audiences or those looking to impress friends with HD technology.
Rating: 7.6/10

The best feature of this Blu-ray release is undoubtedly the Dolby TrueHD soundtrack, displaying a good deal of activity and clarity throughout. The sounds of the deafening blizzard and howling winds generate a persuasive soundfield which envelop the listening area and move between channels smoothly. Other discrete effects are equally impressive and precise. In the front soundstage, dialogue is mostly clear and intelligible, but there are times when whispers are difficult to make out. Low bass is deep and resonating when called upon and provides John Frizzell's score with appreciable depth. Dynamic range is expansive and wide, delivering clean high frequencies without issue. What this hi-def release lacks in picture quality is made up by a notable and entertaining lossless track.
Rating: 8.4/10

Overall Presentation: 8/10

** 9 - 10 = Reference / 8 = Excellent / 7 = Good /
6 = Satisfactory / 5 = Average / 4 & under = Below Average **

The Extras:
Warner Bros. Home Video releases 'Whiteout' with a second-rate collection of supplements, which is not a complaint. Only an observation.

The Coldest Thriller Ever (HD, 12 min)
Whiteout: From Page to Screen (HD, 12 min)
Deleted Scenes (SD)
Digital Copy

Rating: 2/10

Final Thoughts:
With very little excitement or mystery behind it, 'Whiteout' fails as an action thriller and at being an entertaining movie in general. Even Kate Beckinsale's star power does little to save the meandering storyline from its own failures, save for an out-of-place shower scene. The Blu-ray edition arrives with a good picture quality and a better audio presentation, but the supplements are about as impressive as the movie. There is very little to like about the flick and lands itself on the list of the worst of 2009. 'Whiteout' is a rental at best.
Rating: 4/10