BLU-RAY REVIEW

Frozen Ground, The

Featured In Issue 180, October 2013

Picture4
Sound4.5
WSR Score4
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
43873
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Violent content, sexuality/nudity, language and drug use
(Retail Price):
$24.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
105
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2013
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
10/01/13
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Scott Walker
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Based on the incredible true story of Alaska's most notorious serial killer, The Frozen Ground is the engrossing crime drama of the untold story of an Alaskan State Trooper who risks everything to bring a murderer to justice. The story follows Alaskan State Trooper Jack Halcombe (Cage) as he sets out to end the murderous rampage of Robert Hansen (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 (Hudgens) reveals key information about the case, Halcombe is finally on the trail for the killer. But will he catch him in time to save the next victim? (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Scott Walker and Producers Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming, seven deleted scenes with optional commentary by Walker (HD 08:30), Examining The Frozen Ground (HD 20:06) and Writing The Frozen Ground featurettes (HD 14:08), extended interviews (HD 47:23), the theatrical trailer, upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture was photographed digitally with a natural cinematic appearance. The color palette is naturally hued, with no exaggerated tones. Fleshtones are perfectly natural throughout. Contrast is well balanced with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. The Alaskan wilderness is hauntingly beautiful. Resolution is finely detailed during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture, which is prominent throughout. This is an effective presentation. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is dialogue focused with a supporting, well-recorded, dynamically arranged orchestral music score that extends to the surrounds. Atmospherics and sound effects, such as gunshots, sound natural, with appropriate surround immersion. Deep bass is punctuated during heightened violent segments and to enhance the intensity of the music score. This is a haunting soundtrack that is engaging with suspense. (Gary Reber)