The Frozen Ground Review: The film is the comeback that Nicolas Cage very much needed
An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.
Alaska Trooper Jack Holcombe believes Robert Hansen is a serial killer who abducts young girls, tortures and sexually assaults them, then kills them. But Holcombe doesn’t have enough evidence to get a search warrant for Hansen’s premises. Holcombe knows that one victim, Cindy Paulsen, somehow survived, so he decides to seek her help. But he finds that she’s now a junkie with trust issues. Holcombe has to earn her trust; meanwhile, Hansen is still hunting and killing girls.
Based on actual events, The Frozen Ground (Vung Bang Gia) follows an Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage), who is on the trail of trying to catch Robert Hansen (John Cusack), a serial killer known for murdering young women. When Cindy Paulson (Vanessa Hudgens), one of Hansen’s captures, escapes Halcombe enlists her to try and help him convict Hansen. Together, the two must help bring down Hansen before more victims are claimed and before tries to come back after Cindy.
After having quite a few bombs in the past couple of years, Nicolas Cage finally manages deliver. Cage does an excellent job in the role of Jack Halcombe. As the case progresses, you can sense the determination to catch the killer. As well as his need to protect Cindy, through his performance. John Cusack also delivers in a role that’s very different for him as the serial killer Robert Hansen. Every time Cusack is on screen, you can hardly believe this is him. He plays the role with a high amount of creepiness that’s impressive considering it’s such a different role for him. But most impressive is Vanessa Hudgens as Cindy. In the past, Hudgens has delivered performances ranging from weak to mediocre.
In The Frozen Ground, she nails the role of the young girl trying to be strong. But is so terrified that this mad man will come after her again. By doing this, you really feel for her character. Fun Fact: The real Cindy Paulson actually contributed to the film by telling the events of the story. As far as the film goes, it’s a very intense crime thriller that hooks you all the way through. While some parts of the film play off as if it was a Law & Order episode, it still keeps the viewer drawn in as the tension builds. The gloomy setting of the film also contributes to it. The Frozen Ground is the comeback that Nicolas Cage very much needed, and the opportunity for Hudgens to show what she really has to offer.