Movie of the Week: Jack Frost

   

 

    Movie of the Week (12/22/13-12/28/13): Christmas is pretty much here already so lets have a movie to watch this week about Christmas. We all wish we could make things better with somebody or our family members. But, most of the time that thought doesn't cross our minds until the most cheerful season comes around. That is what happens in this film, except something terrible happens when a child's father dies in a car crash and then a year later he gets a second chance when he comes back as a snowman. He then gets a second chance at being the father he should have been. This is Jack Frost.
    Michael Keaton plays Jack Frost, yes that's his real name, as a man with a family, but also loves his life as a musician. It is this where he must do things which makes him keep breaking his promises and not being with his family, mainly his son. From the short time he is actually on the screen, and not voicing the snowman, he does a pretty good job, although it is not his best performance. But, the fact that he signed on last minute probably had something to do with it. Kelly Preston plays Gabby, his wife, and we get a decent performance for her as well. Joseph Cross plays Charlie, his son, who he comes back to spend time with, and the majority of the time we get a good to mediocre performance from him, but he does his job when it counts. Mark Addy, from Game of Thrones, plays Mac, a close friend of the Frost family and is there to help Charlie through the ordeal from time to time.
    The story here is pretty clear as is the message which we pick up on pretty quick, which also comes up clearly in the end as well. So, the story is fairly basic, but that doesn't mean it won't be good to watch at times. Although we get several cheesy moments throughout, there is still enough seriousness floating around to make you keep watching, and yes even with a talking snowman. That being said the effects were pretty decent on the snowman, but you can also tell that they used a lot of the money on the snowman because a couple other scenes where effects were needed were a little dull. Also, at times at the family home you can clearly tell that they are in a studio just by looking in the background.
    Again, this is not a big time movie and does not have a great story that will blow your socks off, but it has a meaningful story. And that aspect, along with the family friendly atmosphere, is what kept this movie from being a total wreck. Now, we get a good performance from Michael Keaton, good visuals on the snowman, and we get a good mix of comedy and seriousness because by the end of the movie we get a serious scene that might make you shed a tear of two. This is a good family movie that you can sit down and enjoy, it gives a good message, and has a feel good feeling to go along with it. But, its lack of direction, great story telling, and acting by some of the younger actors hurts it in the end. Nevertheless, Merry Christmas!
2/4 Stars