Deep Winter
Directed by:Mikey HilbStarring: Eric Lively, Kellan Lutz, Michael Madsen, Luke Goss, Peyton List Synopsis: When hotshot downhill racer Tyler Crowe is booted off the USA team for not following orders and generally being a hot-head, he heads back to his hometown to cool his heels and hook up with his childhood friend, snowboarder Mark Rider and his sister, Elisa. Tyler is surprised to learn that Mark and his buddy CJ are headed for Alaska to attempt to ski down the Meteor, a deadly mountain which has yet to be ridden successfully. They’re doing this as part of a documentary of Mark, being directed by extreme sports movie director Stephen Weaks. When CJ injures his leg in a stupid stunt at a party, Mark and Stephen ask Tyler to take his place... >Review:I wrote in my review of North Face, that if you’re making a mountain-climbing movie, you have to remember the mountain is the star. Same goes when you’re making a movie about coming down a mountain too, and luckily Deep Winter remembers this.Deep Winter is a typical action-sports movie, with the usual set of clichés, both in the plotting and the dialogue. However, the acting and the action make for great eye-candy to stop you thinking about it too much. Eric Lively (Butterfy Effect 2) and Kellan Lutz (Emmet Cullen from the Twilight movies) make for entertaining and attractive leads, with an interesting friendship/rivalry going on. On top of their usual one-upmanship is the fact that Tyler is in love with Mark’s younger sister, Elisa (Peyton List, Shuttle, Mad Men). Luke Goss (Death Race 2, Blood Out) is one of my favourite B-movie actors and does a good job here as the conniving director, more interested in getting the “money-shot” than the safety of his film’s subjects. Rounding out the cast is Michael Madsen as the local Alaskan guide and helicopter pilot, who has a link to the last, tragic attempt to ride the Meteor. He adds a nice layer of pathos to proceedings. What makes the film though are the skiing scenes, be they set on a downhill racecourse or down the mountains. They are all very exhilarating, and of course build up to the climactic runs down the Meteor. Verdict: Some of the dialogue and plot developments are straight out of the Action Movie Handbook, and one line in particular made me chuckle out loud. However Deep Winter 's action scenes are really very well shot and the actors all come across well. 7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest) New! CommentsHave your say about this! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
