Summary:
Although some of the acting is okay and one or two moments may stun you, the end result is an inconsistent mess.
More DetailsAbout Hypothermia (2010)
Ray Pelletier (Michael Rooker, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Slither) is looking forward to a quiet weekend of ice fishing with his family. Unfortunately for him the obnoxious big city father-son duo of Steve and Stevie Cote has picked the same weekend to spend at the remote frozen lake. But the two families’ petty squabbles are soon eclipsed by a much greater enemy: something has awoken under the ice and its prey is human. Miles from civilization and with only a few inches separating them from the freezing water below, the Pelletiers and Cotes must now find a way to work together to fight the vicious creature that’s out to hunt them. Director James Felix McKenney’s HYPOTHERMIA is a modern spin on the classic monster movie, featuring memorable performances from horror vet Rooker and co-stars Blanche Baker (The Girl Next Door) and Greg Finley (The Secret Life of the American Teenager).
Starring: Michael Rooker, Blanche Baker
Directed by: James Felix McKenney
Runtime: 72 minutes
Studio: MPI Home Video
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Review: Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a modern day version of The Creature from the Black Lagoon in many ways, only the warm climate of the Amazon has been swapped for a frozen lake in Maine. Ray Pelletier (Michael Rooker) is on vacation with his wife Helen (Blanche Baker), their son David (Ben Forster) and David’s girlfriend, Gina (Amy Chang). They’ve headed for a lakeside cabin where the lake is frozen over and safe to walk on. It’s something of a family tradition but the serenity is soon disturbed first by father and son, Steve (Don Wood) and Stevie (Greg Finley), appearing with loud music and some fancy fishing equipment. However, that’s nothing compared to a threat that is waiting under the ice.
The Pelletiers are a pretty solid family though David has his folks worried with the news that he and Gina are off to Africa once they finish college. They plan on helping the families less fortunate than themselves. Meaningful family banter is soon set aside as Steve and Stevie arrive on the lake with the intention of doing some fishing. The lake is somewhat dry of fish though except for one dark shape that is moving swiftly under the ice. Both Ray and Steve are keen to catch it but this large fish turns out to be pretty deadly and needs no invitation in attacking the two families.
This is usually the kind of film that I would have no hesitation in criticising. However, although the bad moments are utterly atrocious there are some okay bits as well. Some of the acting was bad, some over the top, while the rest was okay. Rooker and Chang weren’t too bad but the rest were a mixed bag. The build up to the emergence of the monster under the ice isn’t dreadful though the yellow glow in the water that is its viewpoint is akin to Predator only not executed half as well. The monster itself, well, what can I say? It is arguably the worst monster you will ever see. It’s basically a guy in a diving suit. Simple as. The only thing missing was a snorkel! This sadly impacts badly on the film. Perhaps the worst bit is the melodramatic ending. After all the bloodshed we head down a corny path and the conclusion is somewhat soppy and abrupt. The final crime is the length of 72 minutes. This may have been down to budget constraints but it’s a painfully short experience.
Hypothermia surprisingly had potential to be a decent horror film. Although some of the acting is okay and one or two moments may stun you, the end result is an inconsistent mess. It’s just about worth a rating of 2 but only just. A better monster and an improved ending might have pushed this into a safe 3 but in the end it’s a badly missed opportunity. It does leave a lasting impact though. The guy in the diving suit will be hard to forget!
Verdict: 2/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
