Wonderful character development!

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

I actually enjoyed his first ghost rider episode rather than his second, even though I love Neveldine/Taylor's work especially in Gamer and the Chelios "Crank" duology. But this one is a nice authentic murder mystery and I love films that take place in Alaska. And I don't remember seeing John Cusack play a really nasty bad guy as well as he does here, the creepiness makes me shiver: and the character is doubly malicious as he is hiding behind the guise of a righteous, Christian individual- A facade that hides more evil in this modern age than any other. One of Paul Verhoeven's character actors, Dean Norris takes on more than just a background cameo role to actively assist Nicolas Cage character which appears to be a State Trooper Sergeant . And I do believe there is a Radha Mitchell in the house, who has not aged since she was gobbled up by blind monsters in Pitch Black. Very nice, I enjoyed this quite a lot thank you. Vanessa Hudgens (from machete kills) didn't really stand out but she did have the character perfectly, and by watching her performance we can understand why some women do not speak up when abused or threatened. Like, what good would it do? And apparently based on a true story. As hideous and gruesome as this film is, it is no match to the original events on which it is based.

Inspired by the real life exploits of Alaska based serial killer Robert Hansen (played here by John Cusack), this is an okay thriller that pits the creepy Hansen against a dedicated State Trooper, Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage). Halcombe gets his big break when one young woman is able to escape Hansens' clutches. She is Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens), an underage prostitute.Much time is dedicated to the police procedural aspect to the story, as Halcombe and his many associates (played by Kevin Dunn, Dean Norris, Michael McGrady, Matt Gerald, and others) try to work within the law, and establish an airtight case. Hansen will prove to be a tough nut to crack, despite having a shady past, and it doesn't help that he's got this outward appearance of devoted family man and upstanding community member.Cage is effectively understated, with no trace of eccentricities. He's dead serious as this unsmiling cop protagonist. Cusack is likewise a model of subtlety in his performance. The supporting cast (Radha Mitchell, Kurt Fuller, Gia Mantegna, Brad William Henke, 50 Cent) is solid right down the line, although Mitchell gets little to do as Halcombes' wife. Hudgens does a respectable job as the haunted girl who's built up defense mechanisms to deal with a sad family history.The film gets most of its value from the Alaska setting (it was actually shot on location), which is simply full of atmosphere, beauty, and menace. It may also have some appeal for people who are interested in seeing the seedier environments of Anchorage."The Frozen Ground" is grim and pervasive, and will be hard for some viewers to take. But overall it's a well made and well acted film, that only begins to give one an idea of just how much carnage Hansen may have left in his wake.Seven out of 10.

This is the story, based on true events, of Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe's search and conviction of serial killer Robert Hanson, who killed women in the late 70's and 80's.There's a lot of story crammed into the 105 minutes runtime. Though, on the whole, it's satisfactorily presented and keeps the viewer entertained and entwined. The direction by Scott Walker, who also wrote the story, is tight and well crafted. He does a great job of recreating the eras, both in sound and vision.Nicholas Cage portrays the trooper Jack Halcombe, and though we know he can really act, Adaptation, Matchstick Men, World Trade Center, and Joe, here we have the usual Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage (though I have to say I am a fan of his work as his films are enjoyable).John Cusack gives a subdued performance as the killer Robert Hanson. Though, this makes the character more believable; on the outside, Hanson is a quiet man with a family who goes to work to provide - an ordinary man, Though on the inside and in private moments he allows the psychopath to take the reigns. Cusack does a good job of showing the frustration, anger, and desperation caused when the police net draws in closer.The best performance is that of Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Cindy Poulson, the only survivor of Robert Hanson. She expertly shows us Poulson's vulnerability, confusion, anger, distrust, and fear of her life. There is a lot going on in this character's life as she's a runaway become prostitute. Hudgens deftly handles the complexities and develops a believable character, giving the viewers someone to relate to.Brad William Henke does an outstanding portrait of a criminal thug, come, henchman, Carl Galenski. His formidable size is foreboding. You would not want to go up against this man.The rest of the cast also do a great job of keeping the feel of this movie, though I do think that Radha Mitchell, who plays Jack Halcombe's wife Allie, is much underused. She's a talented actress, but here she only has a few scenes.The story is a strong one and needed to be told. The story does not glorify anything at all and in this case, it works well. Everything is nitty gritty truth and reality. No character shines above any of the others; this is not a Nicholas Cage film; it's not a John Cusack film.I really enjoyed this movie and would watch it again. If you like true tales of crime and justice this is for you.

Now, I can't really claim to be much of a fan of Nicolas Cage, especially since his movies have an overwhelming tendency to be overly generic and come a dime a dozen. However, it was because of the synopsis and because of John Cusack that I decided to purchase this movie with the intend to watch it.And now having had the chance to sit down and watch it, I must say that I am actually genuinely surprised with the outcome of the movie. Not so much on John Cusack's deliverance, but because Nicolas Cage was actually fair in this movie, and he proved his worth opposite John Cusack. But to be blunt, then it was John Cusack who carried the movie and stood out in "The Frozen Ground".The story, which is based on real events, takes place in Alaska, where young women fall target and victim to a heinous abductor and serial killer.Nicolas Cage did a good enough job with his role as an officer of the law. But especially John Cusack was shining in this movie, in the role of the serial killer. There was just something deviant and cruel about his performance and portrayal of the Robert Hansen character. Vanessa Hudgens also did a good job with her acting and really did bring something to the movie."The Frozen Ground" turned out to be an enjoyable movie which, albeit following a straight forward script, did offer some good moments. And the characters in the movie seemed to be well-detailed and equally well brought to life on the screen by the acting talents.I am rating "The Frozen Ground" a solid six out of ten stars, and it is a movie that is well worth watching if you need some fair entertainment for a single viewing. The movie, however, doesn't really sustain more than a single viewing; you watch it once, then bag and tag it.