Fan reviews: Whiteout

niko2x · 3 Jun 2004

although a pretty entertaining film, i can't help to think that this movie is very similar to die hard with bruce willis. for a JPN movie, this seems very "hollywood-y"

kndy-nt2099 · 9 Feb 2004

The majority of the work that Oda Yuji has been a part of in the last decade continue to capture my attention.  Kitano Takeshi will always be known for his movies around the world but thanks to DVD's, many people are starting to catch a glimpse of the Oda Yuji.

Around the world, Oda Yuji has caught the attention of many fans through his Japanese doramas and the movie "Odoru Daisousasen" (aka Bayside Shakedown).  The other actress that I'm sure brought in the audience to watch this movie
is Matsushima Nanako who is regarded as the top actress in Japanese entertainment today.

In the many years of watching Japanese movies, I don't think I have ever watched a Japanese big-budget movie in the scale of "WHITEOUT".  Fuji and TOHO went all out in making this movie that you literally don't want to leave your seat for a minute.

According to the production notes, fans camped out to watch this movie.  You take Japan's two big name actors, put them in a movie with a very large budget.  The studios took a risk and won as evident with the box office returns.

Fans will definitely enjoy his latest blockbuster "WHITEOUT".  A movie that can be compared to "Die Hard" meets "Cliffhanger".  Oda's character as Togashi Teruo is unlike the hero's in both of those movies.  From beginning to end, he doesn't have a Gung Ho attitude nor the "yippy kai yay - I'm going to kick some ass" look.  The man is driven to make things right after the death of his colleague.  Matsushima's Hirakawa Chiaki is a character that has nothing but anger for Togashi.  As a man that escaped and let her fiance die.  To watch Togashi's motivation into the end will make you
appreciate this movie. 

As for the DVD, I'm grateful to watch this movie in Dolby Digital 5.1. Hopefully this movie will be re-released with a DTS soundtrack.  There are many scenes where your rear speakers will be used as things zoom and explode.  As for the video quality, it's pretty good.  I don't think I noticed many artifacts especially during the dark scenes of the movie.

As for the special features, I have to score this DVD a little low.  Sure, this year we are starting to see many Asian related DVD's to finally learn that DVD fans want more for their buck and that includes special features. You won't find a director's commentary, deleted scenes and outtakes on this
DVD but you will find the typical trailer and information on the movie and the actors (snore...).

Otherwise, the DVD is still worth getting.

From beginning to end you will be captivated by "WHITEOUT".  One can only hope that we see more big budgeted action movies come from Japan.

I enjoyed "WHITEOUT" a lot.  Maybe not as much as I enjoyed Oda's "Odoru Daisousasen: The Movie" but it's still a movie worth checking out.

HimuraGirl · 29 Aug 2002

Well, this movie is not really have something special to offer, it's just another action movie with the stormy snowy area as the setting. From the first minute to the last minute i watched it with no interest at all, there's nothing expected to happened, everything is what i could guess soooo easily. Oh, only one part that could make me a little interest, the part when Togashi could shot down the helicopter and when he see the pilot it was the climber to whom Yoshioka have risked his life. Ironic, isn't it? Another reason i watched this movie is bcoz i like Matsushima Nanako.

KAZSAW · 16 May 2002

This movie was great, but there were some realistic parts that made it a bit more boring, meaning that realism isn't the best for all movies. - [email protected]

JohnnyBoy_3000 · 1 Jun 2001

This film could have done with more action ... kinda boring