Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Arctic (2018)
"Arctic" is a spine-chilling trek through the vast cold wilderness of the Arctic.
Our protagonist, Overgård (played by Mads Mikkelsen), finds himself stranded in the midst of the Arctic Circle, barely surviving in his crashed plane while he awaits rescue.
His daily routine is tedious, involving the checking of basic fishing lines, mapping his surroundings, and operating a hand-crank dynamo-powered distress beacon.
One fateful day, his distress beacon catches the attention of an emergency helicopter. Tragically, it attempts to land but crashes instead.
The helicopter's pilot does not survive the crash. The passenger, severely injured and unconscious, is the only other survivor.
Overgård steps in, dressing her wound and moving her to the safety of his plane.
She does not speak English, and her only way of showing alertness is by squeezing his hand.
Her condition is rapidly worsening and she urgently needs medical help, or she might not make it.
Overgård is faced with a tough decision - does he remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or does he risk everything on a potentially deadly journey through the uncharted wilderness to save the life of a woman he barely knows?
- You are under the age of 13. The movie has some intense scenes that may not be suitable for younger children
- You are not a fan of survival movies. This movie is all about the struggle of surviving in harsh conditions.
- Graphic scenes of injury or extreme survival situations upset you. The film features a character dealing with physical injuries and intense survival situations.
- You prefer movies with a lot of dialogue. This movie focus more on visual storytelling than dialogue.
- Slow paced, character driven plots do not hold your interest. The movie takes its time building tension and developing the character.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What’s the deal with "Arctic" (2018)? Is it a survival movie or an extended commercial for North Face? The protagonist, Overgård, spends so much time in the snow I'm surprised he didn't turn into a human popsicle. I mean, I get chilly just opening the fridge.
And talk about a guy who can't catch a break. He survives a plane crash, lives in the snow, fights a polar bear, and even does some impromptu surgery. All this without a single cup of hot cocoa or a warm blanket. If that's not a cry for a vacation in Hawaii, I don't know what is.
What about the polar bear? It's like the bear wandered in from another movie, maybe "The Revenant." I half expected Leonardo DiCaprio to show up and wrestle it. But instead, Overgård shooed it away with a flare. You'd think a polar bear would be a bit more persistent.
And let's not forget the mysterious unconscious woman he finds. She's there, but not there. Kinda like my attention span halfway through the movie. In fact, she's so out of it, I started wondering if Overgård was just hallucinating her. Maybe she's actually a snowman he built out of loneliness. Who knows?
The Grey (2011):
If you enjoyed the survival element of "Arctic", you might be interested in "The Grey". Directed by Joe Carnahan, this movie centers on a group of plane crash survivors trying to stay alive in the Alaskan wilderness, while being stalked by a pack of grey wolves. Like "Arctic", "The Grey" tests the resilience and survival instincts of its characters in the face of extreme circumstances. The film's harsh yet captivating sceneries paired with a gripping storyline promise an exhilarating cinematic experience.
127 Hours (2010):Following the same lines of a lone survivor narrative, "127 Hours" could be a compelling watch. This fact-based drama directed by Danny Boyle tells the story of mountaineer Aron Ralston, who gets trapped under a boulder while canyoneering outside Moab, Utah. Much like "Arctic", this movie requires the protagonist to draw upon unimaginable mental and physical reserves to escape a seemingly hopeless situation.
The Revenant (2015):"The Revenant", directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is another movie for "Arctic" enthusiasts. The movie casts Leonardo DiCaprio as a frontiersman on a fur trading expedition who fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by his own hunting team. It’s a powerful exploration of survival and revenge which you could enjoy if you loved the survival saga and scenic aesthetics of "Arctic".
Cast Away (2000):For more survival drama, Robert Zemeckis’ "Cast Away" is yet another good pick. The film features Tom Hanks as a Fedex executive who transforms physically and emotionally to survive after crash-landing on a deserted island. The movie primarily relies on the strength of its lone human character, much like "Arctic".
Like this? Then click here to see more drama movies
