Movie Reviews

The Snowman – Blu-ray Movie Review

Synopsis

The search for a serial killer spans several years in Norway, with murders at the first snow of the season. Based on a bestselling novel from 2007, Detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) tries to put the mystery together.

Specifications
Universal Pictures
2017, BD 50 Rated R, DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Aspect Raio: 185:1
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Val Kilmer
Director: Tomas Alfredson

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: Yes
Sex: Yes
Language: Yes

Commentary

In a word, this is a chilly movie. It’s gruesome, convoluted, and ultimately unsatisfying. It’s also frustrating, because so much talent is tied up in the film that ultimately melts away like the spring snow.

The acting is really first rate. Fassbender has the makings of an interesting character in this film, but is weighed down by the script. I didn’t recognize Val Kilmer when he first appeared, he’s had years of battling throat cancer, and his face is puffy. I’m pretty sure his voice is dubbed, but it’s great to see Kilmer return to the screen.

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Director Tomas Alfredson is no amateur, he had a major hit with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Let the Right One In, but this film just isn’t coherent. It has the look and feel of a major noir triumph, but it just doesn’t hold together.

Technical

This is the best looking film with lots of snow since Dr. Zhivago. The muted colors of Norway, and the warm interiors just look lovely. I watched the film a second time just to admire the locations and the lighting. The 7.1 surround is dynamic.

Even in quiet scenes, you can hear the wind whistling around your listening room. The editing, with the beloved editor of Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker is first rate. Without a doubt, this film looks and sounds beautiful on Blu-ray. I’m glad I watched it, I just was worn out waiting for the story to gel.

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Extras
  • Cast of Characters (1080p, 7:46)
  • Creating Jo Nesbø’s World (1080p, 4:05)
  • The Snowman Killer (1080p, 4:03)
  • Norwegian Landscape (1080p, 6:33)
  • Stunt Files: The Sinking Lake (1080p, 1:36)
Mel Martin

Mel spent most of his life working in television journalism in Ohio, Florida, the BBC in London, and in Seattle, WA. He won a few EMMY awards along the way which most people mistake for bowling trophies. Being around all those expensive monitors frustrated him when he got home to his threadbare TV and stereo, so he began to improve things, brand by brand, upgrade by upgrade. He’s got a lovely OLED TV now, flanked by Magnepan 3.6r speakers, and a Home theater with an Epson Projector and Focal speakers. Also scatted about the house are HiFiMan headphones, and 6 Sonos Connect devices that are spraying his rather large music collection from room to room. Other equipment is from Oppo, Sony, Aurender, PS Audio and Emotiva. Musical tastes range from Classical to Jazz to New Age to classic Rock and Roll. Mel has written a biography of film producer Samuel Bronston (El Cid, King of Kings) and is working now on a second film related book. He resides in Arizona where, when he’s not adjusting his home theater, he dabbles in landscape and astronomical photography.

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