Stationed at an Antarctic research station, a United States marshal battles inner demons while trying to solve a murder mystery in this thriller from 'Swordfish' director Dominic Sena. The chief novelty of the film is the South Pole setting and filmed in the snowy Canadian wilderness, the film features some great exterior shots that make it genuinely feel like the characters are living in the most isolated continent on Earth. There are a couple of good chase scenes in the blistering snow too. All that said and done, the vast majority of 'Whiteout' disappointingly takes place indoors though and with far more dialogue than action, it mostly has the feel of a generic action investigative thriller; even the intermittent flashbacks to past events that still haunt her feel routine. The film does not get much out of its supporting characters either, Tom Skerritt's ageing doctor aside, which renders it a little hard to get emotionally invested as the body count begins to mount as the film plods along. Skerritt's final scene is admittedly awesome though and there is a very intense part in which he has to medically treat the protagonist (to say more might ruin a fresh experience of the film). When push comes to shove, there is enough of interest in 'Whiteout' to render it possibly worth a look, but as a narrative it is hardly first rate, protagonist haunted by past memories or not.

When a man's body is discovered in the snowy wastes of the Antarctic, U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) investigates and believes she that has a murder case on her hands. With a severe storm on the way, and the sun about to set for six months, Carrie must solve the case fast if she doesn't want to find herself stranded in the South Pole.Given Whiteout's sub-zero setting, Kate Beckinsale fans might have concerns that the sexy star will be hidden beneath layers of heavily insulated clothing for the duration. They needn't worry: director Dominic Sena ensures that his lead lady shows off her impressive form within the film's first few minutes, Kate stripping down to her undies while getting ready for a shower. It's a memorable way to start proceedings, but sadly the rest of the film is about as distinctive as a snow drift in a blizzard at the South Pole.Despite the film's unorthodox Antarctic setting, Whiteout amounts to nothing more than a mediocre murder mystery, with forgettable characters, a stale (scientifically inaccurate) storyline involving a long lost 'treasure', and dull direction from Sena, who brings on the unconvincing CGI snowstorms whenever the pace tends to drag. It's all so clichéd and uninspired that it's no wonder that I can't remember anything in detail other than Beckinsale bending over in her pants.

I'm writing this review after watching 'Whiteout' a second time. I saw it a couple of years ago as I'm a reasonable fan of Kate Beckinsale and wondered why I couldn't remember a thing about my initial viewing. Now I've watching it a second time I figured I better write this review before I totally forget it yet again.It's pretty damn forgettable.Beckinsale plays a U.S. Marshall who's stationed in Antarctica and uncovers the continent's first murder. She therefore has to solve it because... well, just because. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a fan of Kate Beckinsale. However, I just couldn't really buy her as a tough, hardened U.S. Marshall. Her 'cat-like' sleekness worked brilliantly in the 'Underworld' films as she was an immortal vampire, however, now she's human, believing she has lived her life knocking people's heads together and bringing down drugs cartels doesn't really add up.The research station she's based in is filled with men (yes, you see a couple other women, but they don't really come into it). The concentrate on the men because the killer is blatantly a man, so you need to try and work out who. It basically descends into a 'slasher film in snow.' Whereas as similar films (like 'Scream') had interesting suspects who might be the killer, here we have the blandest bunch of guys ever seen on screen. You won't really care who's the killer and who gets killed.You're left with a bland 'slasher' film with a clichéd 'cop with a dark past' thrown in there. The dialogue is bland. The action is bland and you just won't care about anything.I don't know why, but I kept thinking of John Carpenter's classic horror film 'The Thing.' Yes, I know the only real similarity between the two is the snowy setting, but, if you want to watch a 'who-dunnit' in the snow, just watch the one with the alien in. At least it has gross special effects! Yes, most guys will enjoy Beckinsale's opening scene, but, after that's over, it's pretty much downhill all the way.

Kate Beckinsale stars as a US Marshal at an international research station in Antarctica while Tom Skerritt plays the friendly doctor. The Marshal's about to leave the station as the Winter season sets in when she's forced to investigate a questionable death that becomes a murder investigation.Although the trailer hints of a supernatural film a la "The Thing," this is actually a mystery thriller with an "Ice Station Zebra" flair.Some of the plot turns are predictable and there's not enough character development, but the spectacular arctic locations and the effective filmmaking compel me to give this a decent grade.I said "arctic locations" because the film was shot in Manitoba, not Antarctica.Pay no mind do those who say this is a crappy film. If you're in the mood for a modern "Ice station Zebra" with SOME elements of "The Thing" then "Whiteout" should fill the bill. It won't blow you away or anything (except maybe for an early shot of Kate, lol) but it's a solid arctic mystery-thriller.The film runs 101 minutes.GRADE: B-