Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 58% (Critics) / 52% (Audience)
Directed By: Scott Walker
Written By: Scott Walker
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, Dean Norris, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and John Cusack
Studio: Lionsgate
Synopsis: THE FROZEN GROUND is inspired by the incredible true story that follows Alaskan State Trooper Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage) as he sets out to end the murderous rampage of Robert Hansen (John Cusack), a serial killer who has gone unnoticed for 13 years. As the bodies of street girls start to pile up in Anchorage, fear strikes a chord with the public. Risking his life, Halcombe goes on a personal manhunt to find the killer before the next body surfaces. When a seventeen year old escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) reveals key information about the case, Halcombe is finally on the trail of the killer. But will he catch him in time to save the next victim? – (Source)
The Good:
There were some pretty good acting performances in this film. John Cusack was very good playing a decidedly non-Cusack role as the suspected serial killer. He was both unnervingly ordinary and incredibly creepy at the same time. Nicolas Cage brought a ice bit of world weariness to his role as the dogged detective trying to stop the prolific serial killer before more bodies start piling up. And Vanessa Hudgens completely dropkicked her Disney Princess persona in her turn as the street walker/stripper who managed to escape becoming another one of the serial killer’s victim.
The dreary look of the wintry setting helped to make the dread that hung over a lot of the characters become even more pronounced to the viewer.
The Bad:
I get that this movie is based on a true story and writer/director Scott Walker seemed very focused on maintaining the truth of the case without sensationalizing things but that rigid bit of film-making made this movie a drag to sit through at times. Maybe adding just a pinch more Hollywood fantasy to the proceedings would have served to make the movie more entertaining.
The Ugly:
That wig that 50 Cent was sporting was just ridiculous.
Final Verdict: A dreary thriller that could have used a bit more flash to make it easier to sit through. Some pretty good performances help compensate and the visuals of the frozen setting drive home the requisite sense of dread the movie was going for. Not a total success but not a complete failure either.
Grade: C+
Crustula 
The real life Hansen took a ‘the most dangerous game’ approach to his serial killing in that he hunted his victims like animals. Cusack is an eerie resemblamce to Hansen and judging from the trailer it looks like Cage may actually be returning to form after so many crap movies (Knowing, The Wicker Man, Ghost Rider). As a person with an interest in serial killers, I have an interest in this movie.
LikeLike
I saw some photos of the real Hansen after seeing the movie and it was eerie how much Cusack resembled the guy.
And am I the only one who appreciates the comedy stylings of Cage in The Wicker Man?
LikeLike
Good performances from Cusack AND Cage. It’s a Christmas miracle! Both have been dreadful of late.
LikeLike
I was particularly shocked by how Cusack phoned in his performance in The Raven. Edgar Allen Poe, Action Hero should have been a fun part to play.
And I still think Cage was Oscar worthy in The Wicker Man…I have not enjoyed any performance by any other actor as much as that one. It makes me laugh till my sides begin to hurt.
LikeLike
The Raven was one of the very few films I gave a 0/5 review. It didn’t have a single redeeming feature. I’d go as far as sayinf Cusack embarrassed himself.
LikeLike