Blu-ray Review – Cold Prey Series

      Cold Prey Trilogy

      Directed by Roar Uthaug, Mats Stenberg, and Mikkel Brænne Sandemose.

      Starring Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Rolf Kristian Larsen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Robert Follin, Fridtjov Såheim, Marthe Snorresdotter Rovik, Kim Falck, Rune Melby, Julie Rusti, Nils Johnson, and Terje Ranes.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      This limited edition box set features the three slasher films set in the Scandinavian mountains. Thanks to Second Sight, you can now enjoy the trio of icy Cold Prey movies in a limited-edition Blu-ray collection, perfect for viewing while the weather outside reaches record highs.

      Originally launched in 2006 during a surge of torture films, remakes, and sequels, Cold Prey stood out as an original slasher that wasn’t based on any existing property – a refreshing change at the time. The unique selling point was its snowy Norwegian mountain setting, which might not seem groundbreaking, but it’s hard to name many previous slashers that took place exclusively in snowy environments or incorporated the setting into the narrative. (And no, Silent Night, Deadly Night doesn’t qualify).

      When we mention Cold Prey’s originality, we refer to its copyrights; aside from the setting, it adheres to classic slasher film conventions. Five friends travel to a remote mountain location in Norway for a snowboarding vacation. Their fun quickly turns sinister when Morten Tobias (Rolf Kristian Larsen) suffers a serious leg injury. With inclement weather and no cell reception, the group seeks help and stumbles upon an abandoned hotel. They find the last reservation in the log dates back to 1975, but if no one has been there in over three decades, why is there fresh food and drink available? The answer arrives in the form of a Mountain Man, a killer wielding a pickaxe who begins to eliminate the group one by one.

      Following the blueprint of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – minus the hitchhiker – Cold Prey hits all the familiar slasher notes as we meet our core group, where the couple in the front of the van is experiencing some relationship tension, while the backseat couple is smitten and inseparable. Morten Tobias, who appears somewhat nerdy and is known for his excessive masturbation, provides comic relief.

      After we get acquainted with the characters – confirming the identity of the final survivor, which is rather obvious – they reach the mountain, Morten Tobias has his accident, and they arrive at the deserted hotel, where they switch on the power, drink excessively, and play loud music. Keep your bingo cards handy; Cold Prey unfolds just as you’d expect, with characters wandering off, pickaxes swinging, and blood flowing, until the gang is reduced to the final two before the climactic ending.

      It may seem a bit harsh to critique Cold Prey for its generic plot, as it boasts several merits. While it does adhere closely to the slasher formula, it showcases stunning visuals, capturing breathtaking aerial shots of the snowy mountains that evoke a real sense of isolation. Given it was made in the 2000s, the washed-out colors enhance the contrast of blood against the nearly white landscapes, and the Mountain Man has a compelling backstory that is adequately explained by the film’s conclusion. Although his appearance isn’t particularly striking, it aligns with the 2000s horror film trend focusing on realism. Cold Prey effectively utilizes its locations and incorporates a nearly cinema verite style in some scenes, but it does suffer from a predictable plot.

      Nonetheless, Cold Prey was successful upon its release, leading to the creation of Cold Prey II just two years later. If the first movie followed the blueprint of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the sequel embraced a Halloween II approach by featuring the survivor of the first film being taken to a nearby hospital, where authorities are keen to investigate the events that occurred. When they examine the site where the bodies were dumped, they bring all the remains back to the hospital, including that of the Mountain Man, triggering the survivor’s PTSD, especially as the police investigate his background and reveal he was born dead but improbably revived after four hours – you can guess where this is headed.

      Cold Prey II, like its predecessor, is well-produced and visually appealing – even better than the first, as the color isn’t quite as muted. However, it fails to introduce anything new. In a post-Scream world, one could argue that the absence of a twist or meta element is a bold choice, yet Cold Prey II mostly reiterates the plot of Halloween II. Without a Dr. Loomis figure to explain the Mountain Man’s background (though it comes close at one point), one might almost accuse this film of plagiarism.

      Despite its lack of originality, Cold Prey II includes some impressive kills and slasher