I can't figure out how anyone can get a budget for a movie this bad. It's like the TV station are desperate for anything, anything at all. They're buried underneath a bunch of snow, the electricity constantly flashes on and off, yet magically there is a background light that stays constant. Where does all this (fake) light come from? That, and all that stupid bickering between the characters. They seem to be more interested in complaining to each other than trying to invent ways to survive. It tries to create that feel of emergency and people helping. But because it's such bad directing and acting, you will not your Florence Nightingale fix with this flick, sorry. I'm joining the negative feedback, and I concur that this is one of the worst movies ever.
10 Reviews
good movie
monkey-man14 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I bought this movie in a ten movie box set for $10 which was a bargain and the movies about a ski resort and an avalanche buries people inside the ski hotel and people are trying to get them out before a other avalanche comes down.This movie is way better then i thought it would be but it still has some flaws and this film is full of great action scenes like the part where they had to climb up the elevator shaft to escape.The acting in this movie was bad most of the time but what would u suspect from a made for TV movie and the movie stars actors and actress like Jack Wagner (I),Gabrielle Carteris,Mark Lindsay Chapman and Morgan Rusler.And over all this is an entertaining movie and my rating is 5 out of 10.
Absolutely unbelievable
F1ame17 November 2002
This was one of the worst films I have ever seen.
I usually praise any film for some aspect of its production, but the intensely irritating behaviour of more than half the characters made it hard for me to appreciate any part of this film.
Most common was the inference that the bloke who designed the building was at fault an avalanche collapsing it. Er ok.
Also, trying to out ski an avalanche slalom style is not gonna work. Running 10 feet into some trees is not gonna work. Alas it does here. As mentioned before the innate dumbness and sheer stupidity of some characters is ridiculous. In an enclosed space, with limited oxygen a four year old could tell you starting a fire is not a good idea.
Anyway, about 5 minutes of the movie redeems itself and acquires some appreciation. However, if you have a modicum of intelligence you too will find most of this film hard to tolerate.
It pains me that so many quality stories go unproduced and yet someone will pay for things like this to be made.
Oh, did I mention the last five minutes? Well to give you a hook you have to keep watching in order to see the latest in combative avalanche techniques. Absolutely priceless.
I usually praise any film for some aspect of its production, but the intensely irritating behaviour of more than half the characters made it hard for me to appreciate any part of this film.
Most common was the inference that the bloke who designed the building was at fault an avalanche collapsing it. Er ok.
Also, trying to out ski an avalanche slalom style is not gonna work. Running 10 feet into some trees is not gonna work. Alas it does here. As mentioned before the innate dumbness and sheer stupidity of some characters is ridiculous. In an enclosed space, with limited oxygen a four year old could tell you starting a fire is not a good idea.
Anyway, about 5 minutes of the movie redeems itself and acquires some appreciation. However, if you have a modicum of intelligence you too will find most of this film hard to tolerate.
It pains me that so many quality stories go unproduced and yet someone will pay for things like this to be made.
Oh, did I mention the last five minutes? Well to give you a hook you have to keep watching in order to see the latest in combative avalanche techniques. Absolutely priceless.
Rubbish
keeveys27 February 2006
Saw this on TV. I'm glad I didn't go to the cinema to see this or spend the money on rental. The movie is totally predictable - from the corrupt owner and planner, to the snaking electric cables. The plot is really weak and unbelievable - the avalanche expert guy gets hit by a 20 foot wave of bone breaking avalanche (using actual footage) and all he has to do is get up and shake himself down. The avalanche thunders down at a million miles an hour and stops dead at the side of the road.
Some of the actual avalanche material is impressive and shows its devastating power. But the contract between the real avalanche and the staged stuff makes this film look even flimsier.
Do yourself a favour, don't bother with this one not even on T.V.
Some of the actual avalanche material is impressive and shows its devastating power. But the contract between the real avalanche and the staged stuff makes this film look even flimsier.
Do yourself a favour, don't bother with this one not even on T.V.
I want to claw my snow-filled eyes out.
cult_hero138 August 2011
This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. What happened to pride in one's work? The writer, surely should have known that so much of this was unbelievable. The director seemed to have no say in how the actors supposedly acted. Obviously, the actors themselves have no pride in their work as was evident throughout.
I wouldn't even rate this as B film. At least B films know they're bad and try to make that part of the movie. This movie tries to portray itself as something to take seriously.
I hope my review can help push the overall rating of this movie closer to 1 and aide the next poor soul who stumbles upon this and wonders if it'll be any good.
I wouldn't even rate this as B film. At least B films know they're bad and try to make that part of the movie. This movie tries to portray itself as something to take seriously.
I hope my review can help push the overall rating of this movie closer to 1 and aide the next poor soul who stumbles upon this and wonders if it'll be any good.
Oh deary me
j_a_newton17 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
**** WARNING: here be spoilers **** Why do I waste my hastily fleeing years watching garbage like this? This film is an impressive collection of clichés, poor writing, worse directing, and then we haven't even got to the acting yet.
And of course, you can predict the whole story from beginning to end.
Hero expert fights against stupid, corrupt and incompetent henchmen. One avalanche goes off, burying all the heroes who somehow manage to get out alive in spite of going through all sorts of cliffhanger perils. Corrupt partner who caused the whole thing gets fried alive together with his payoff money. Second avalanche heroically deflected by renegade expert's adventurous experiment. Evil henchmen in the end turn out to have a heart as well. Troubled teenager falls into the arms of her crusty stepmother after being saved by her. Etc, etc, etc, etc, on and on it goes.
In fact, there's little reason to warn for spoilers. You could probably work the whole plot out if I gave you the basic ingredients. At least, I wasn't too wide off the mark most of the time, anticipating what would happen next.
And then we haven't discussed the factual errors.
I agree with a previous commentator that even though there are usually SOME redeeming features even of a bad movie. you'd be hard pressed to find any in this one. I suppose I gave it 2 out of 10 for some nice scenery shots, but that's it.
It's been some time since a film made me groan, but this one certainly did.
And of course, you can predict the whole story from beginning to end.
Hero expert fights against stupid, corrupt and incompetent henchmen. One avalanche goes off, burying all the heroes who somehow manage to get out alive in spite of going through all sorts of cliffhanger perils. Corrupt partner who caused the whole thing gets fried alive together with his payoff money. Second avalanche heroically deflected by renegade expert's adventurous experiment. Evil henchmen in the end turn out to have a heart as well. Troubled teenager falls into the arms of her crusty stepmother after being saved by her. Etc, etc, etc, etc, on and on it goes.
In fact, there's little reason to warn for spoilers. You could probably work the whole plot out if I gave you the basic ingredients. At least, I wasn't too wide off the mark most of the time, anticipating what would happen next.
And then we haven't discussed the factual errors.
I agree with a previous commentator that even though there are usually SOME redeeming features even of a bad movie. you'd be hard pressed to find any in this one. I suppose I gave it 2 out of 10 for some nice scenery shots, but that's it.
It's been some time since a film made me groan, but this one certainly did.
Suspenseful, action filled, but little reality.
The_Light_Triton2 March 2007
Trapped: buried alive brings us to a resort that has just opened, and is soon to close.
We start with a guy in gear blowing up drifts, to avoid the possibility of avalanches. somehow, that doesn't make sense. anyways, he's about to blow away one particularly big one, when he notices the resort is open. despite his best efforts, higher authority tells him his day is over.
soon, as everyone expects, an avalanche hits.
Look, i'm not gonna reveal any more, all i can say is this was a B-movie designed for the family channel (which i just saw it on, and the fact it had no commercials proves it's a B-movie) anyways, it's a pretty decent film, but it's partially unreal.
firsthand, when people are buried by ice and snow, they're buried. not just traced by powder. or, what about a CD for a screwdriver? it's not possible. and finally, what i can't stress enough, is that an explosion cannot stop a avalanche, guaranteed.
furthermore, it's worth a rental or a TV viewing, but not owning. 7/10.
The movie is rated PG, but maybe it should have received something a little more strong. a boy nearly loses his foot in an elevator, but his leg is cut around the ankle, a guy is toasted by electricity and diesel, and in the weight room, dead people are laying around.
enjoy.
We start with a guy in gear blowing up drifts, to avoid the possibility of avalanches. somehow, that doesn't make sense. anyways, he's about to blow away one particularly big one, when he notices the resort is open. despite his best efforts, higher authority tells him his day is over.
soon, as everyone expects, an avalanche hits.
Look, i'm not gonna reveal any more, all i can say is this was a B-movie designed for the family channel (which i just saw it on, and the fact it had no commercials proves it's a B-movie) anyways, it's a pretty decent film, but it's partially unreal.
firsthand, when people are buried by ice and snow, they're buried. not just traced by powder. or, what about a CD for a screwdriver? it's not possible. and finally, what i can't stress enough, is that an explosion cannot stop a avalanche, guaranteed.
furthermore, it's worth a rental or a TV viewing, but not owning. 7/10.
The movie is rated PG, but maybe it should have received something a little more strong. a boy nearly loses his foot in an elevator, but his leg is cut around the ankle, a guy is toasted by electricity and diesel, and in the weight room, dead people are laying around.
enjoy.
A tolerable TV thriller.
OllieSuave-00725 January 2015
This is a made-for-TV thriller starring Jack Wagner as Michael Cooper, who launches a rescue mission to save his wife, daughter and others from being trapped in a ski lodge hit by an avalanche.
It is notable seeing the the aftermath of the avalanche has on the trapped people, making it pretty intriguing to wonder how they will get out of this predicament alive.
The acting was so-so, pretty campy at times, and the plot is somewhat slow at times, especially the story being consumed at times by the characters' bickering. Not one of the better TV movies, but also not one of the worst. It's tolerable at least.
Grade C
It is notable seeing the the aftermath of the avalanche has on the trapped people, making it pretty intriguing to wonder how they will get out of this predicament alive.
The acting was so-so, pretty campy at times, and the plot is somewhat slow at times, especially the story being consumed at times by the characters' bickering. Not one of the better TV movies, but also not one of the worst. It's tolerable at least.
Grade C
Entertianing for the most part
Brianweimer7321 May 2002
Trapped beneath the snow is mildly entertaining if you happen to have two hours with nothing better to do. Jack Wagner (Trapped in Space, Nowhere to Land) stars as a father who is on vacation with his new wife and teenage daughter at a mountain resort. Through a series of planned detonations, an avalanche is triggered, coming right down on the resort where people are inside, including Wagner's wife and daughter. Most of the film is dedicated to Wagner and a group of men trying to rescue the trapped victims. The most exciting scenes involve the avalanche, watching the powerful ice descent down the mountain. The special effects are done very well, and these scenes are very realistic, similiar to those in Vertical Limit. There is also a subplot between the teenage daughter and stepmom. The daughter's real mom has died relatively recently, and she refuses to accept her dad's new wife. There are some good emotional moments throughout the movie. The acting is decent, and the movie has an overall feel of a movie of the week, but it's enjoyable.
Brilliant
skippyjamin19 March 2009
This film is brilliant. Don't get angry, just laugh your way through it. It is probably the single worst film I have ever seen (even worse than Music & Lyrics). The acting is diabolical (think Joey from Friends - Joey, not Matt Le Blanc), the plot clichéd and predictable and the effects clumsy (moving walls of snow looking suspiciously like polystyrene). The exaggerated pensive look (furrowed brow, eyes moving from side to side quickly, looking at nothing in particular) was a particular favourite. You can almost see poor Morgan Russler cringing opposite, well, pretty much everyone else.
It'll make your toes curl and possibly want to throw things, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it just to marvel in its dreadfulness.
It'll make your toes curl and possibly want to throw things, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it just to marvel in its dreadfulness.
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