Acting was good, story plausible, premise acceptable. The director could have made the tension more palpable. Entertaining and fun. Could have been much better if science was more accurate. Good if you keep your expectations in check.

In 1957, a Russian cargo plane flies over frozen Antarctica carrying a mysterious metal-lined box. Something sinister is afloat. Suddenly there is skulduggery aboard, and as the Russians are not very bright, the airplane crashes with all hands lost. Decades later a scientific expedition of three geologists looking for meteors discovers the plane and its secret – obviously valuable – cargo. What were those canisters locked in that metal box? Whatever it is, its consequences result in the body of one of them found murdered in the frozen wasteland. Enter Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale), US Marshal at American Base Camp in Antarctica, whose job is to investigate the murder. She has only a few days before the base is shut down by commander (Shawn Doyle) for the long six months of winter. The case is especially time- sensitive, as a storm is brewing and the airplane must leave before it strikes, or else be stranded for the season. Before that though, we are introduced to her stripping down to her white undies and displaying her derriere before showering. Carrie is plagued with recurring nightmares that concern her killing of her double-crossing partner in a past Miami drug bust. This necessary action left her questioning her abilities as a marshal. In the compound Carrie is closest with several men, and at least one may be a bad guy (there are not many other choices). The men include kindly and capable - but guarded - Dr. John Fury (Tom Skerritt); the newly arrived UN investigator Robert Pryce (Gabriel Macht), who takes charge of the investigation; the bantering airplane pilot Delfy (Columbus Short) and the sassy Aussie pilot Russell Haden (Alex O'Loughlin). The plot has holes and is thin. And the story- line really is not all that thrilling as Beckingsale – not the greatest actress (at least then) – is saddled with a weak script. One of her strange actions is to unwisely crack open the sealed, stainless steel canisters from the metal box. Uh, Carrie, that might be radioactive material, you know! Or there may be germs! Ever hear of biological warfare? The main action does involve a climactic fight in whiteout conditions, as unidentifiable parka-wearing folks grapple in the heavy-blowing snow. One of these men is a killer wielding an ice pick. Besides the lame script, my complaint is that of Ms. Beckingsale's appearance. With all of her nightmares, tensions, exposures to brutal conditions, battles with an ice pick-wielding killer, and the loss of two fingers on her left hand, she just looks a little bit too good!

I was actually very excited to see this film, but oh my gosh it was detestably awful in every way! The acting was very bad. The plot made virtually no sense at all! I think the film's biggest problem though, was how it was soooo undeniably boring in every way! Nothing even slightly exciting or interesting happened in the entire movie! Kate Beckinsale wasn't a bad choice for the lead, but she just had crappy material to work with, I honestly feel sorry for every one of the actors that were involved in any way shape or form with this movie. I think it was definitely one of the worst films of 2009, if not the absolute worst! The dialogue was bad also, very week and lazy. Just trust me and don't go anywhere near this movie! You can watch almost anything and it would be better than Whiteout (2009). 1/10. Very bad movie!

This is a very nice little murder mystery that just so happens to be set in Antarctica. The idea of murder down there with all that cold makes it a little tricky for our villains, but they show that it can be done. It stars Kate Beckinsale and Tom Skerritt, so what's not to like. Sorry out there. The supporting cast is great. To me what having a good movie experience is the fact that actors have to believe in the story line, and if that doesn't happen-in my opinion- you have a bad movie i.e, Oblivion. The only problem I have with the movie it is where did the diamonds come from? I don't understand the haters. It is just a movie.