The Frozen Ground (2013)
Average Rating: 5.1/10
Reviews Counted: 47
Fresh: 27 | Rotten: 20
Though this by-the-numbers true procedural seems basic, The Frozen Ground presents a welcome return for Nicolas Cage in a solid performance.
Average Rating: 4.3/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 5
Though this by-the-numbers true procedural seems basic, The Frozen Ground presents a welcome return for Nicolas Cage in a solid performance.
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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 7,114
Movie Info
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
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Cast
-
Nicolas Cage
Sgt. Jack Halcombe -
John Cusack
Robert C. Hansen -
Vanessa Hudgens
Cindy Paulson -
-
Olga Valentina
Jodi Brandon -
Michael McGrady
Det. Gentile -
Brad William Henke
Carl Galenski -
Katherine La Nasa
Fran Hansen -
Radha Mitchell
Allie Halcombe -
50 Cent
Pimp Clate Johnson -
Kevin Dunn
Lt. Bob Jent -
Kurt Fuller
D.A. Pat Clives -
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Chelle Ringell
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The Frozen Ground Trailer & Photos
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (20)
A taut procedural with atmospheric location work that traces Cage's clock-racing efforts to find evidence against Cusack ...
Top CriticThe movie's only fresh element is the wintry setting, which shrouds everything in a mood of weary fatalism. Otherwise, it's the same old, same old, efficiently discharged and utterly disposable.
The movie's late-night cable feel and skeevy salaciousness grinds everything to a snowy slush.
Although writer-director Scott Walker seems committed to not overly exploiting his lurid subject matter, the movie is just too dreary, disjointed and generically creepy to be persuasive.
A vague and forgettable crime thriller that would have benefited from more character development or at least a grounding of the narrative in one central protagonist.
The Frozen Ground hits the familiar notes.
The Frozen Ground isn't innovative, but it is a well-paced and engaging thriller that has the added appeal of a truth-based narrative.
In a rote cat-and-mouse cop-and-serial-killer story, Vanessa Hudgens' 'victim' is far more compelling than either cop Nicolas Cage or killer John Cusack.
The scenes where Cage grills Cusack are the best thing about this very average thriller.
Choppy and chilling, it's destined for a quick burial in the icy tundra.
A chilling thriller with first-rate performances by John Cusack, Nicolas Cage and Vanessa Hudgens.
Are we mourning the loss of these women or delighting in their downfall, relishing their abuse? Cheap thrills destroy whatever pure intentions launched Ground, chaining the effort to the most banal of B-movie pursuits.
"The Frozen Ground" trucks in cliche, as most serial killer and police procedural films do, but the strength of the acting (from the leads down to people with only one or two lines) helps ground the film.
Impressive debut from New Zealand-born Scott Walker is told with style and panache. Strong performances, fevered pacing and immersive location lensing are big pluses pushing this from "B" pic to A-.
We've seen a lot of serial killer movies but this intriguing true story is well-acted and involving enough to be worth a shot.
A true crime period piece that somewhat interestingly eschews a lot of investigatory grind in favor of moral certitude and throwback, cat-and-mouse tension.
Unfortunately, with a confusing script pocked with plot holes, The Frozen Ground misses an opportunity to create a lasting testament to their memories.
Not bad at all. Nicolas Cage gives his best performance in years.
Unfocused, flitting back and forth from separate Cage, Cusack, and Hudgens arcs without forming them into one vision.
Ultimately, the cumulative effect is deadening, just another chapter in an endless battle between overtasked and underpaid good guys, and cowardly baddies.
Audience Reviews for The Frozen Ground
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Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Miscast roles? | 19 days ago | 13 |
| Is anyone else rooting for this? | 26 days ago | 8 |
| Idiot critics wrong again. | 1 day ago | 3 |
| Roles | 44 days ago | 1 |
| cusack weve missed you | 4 days ago | 1 |
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Latest News on The Frozen Ground
August 22, 2013:
Critics Consensus: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Is a Derivative FantasyThis week at the movies, we've got a teenage demon-slayer (The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,...
August 20, 2013:
Video Interview: Cast of Frozen GroundNicolas Cage and Vanessa Hudgens star in this true story about an Alaska State Trooper and a young...
July 23, 2013:
Nicolas Cage Knows You Think He's Crazy"There is a misperception, if you will, in critical response or even in Hollywood, that I can only...
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