JACK FROST begins with the self titled serial killer
(in human form) brought to justice by the local town
sheriff. Sentenced to death at midnight, Jack is
transported by a state execution van during a heavy
snowstorm.
A vehicle carrying an experimental genetic
chemical happens to be traveling the opposing road
resulting in a most unspectacular accident. However,
obviously inexpensive yet innovative FX (including
animated molecules!) displaying Jack's "meltdown"
after contamination with the experimental substance
showcases some potential which of course is
shortlived.
What follows is a series of murders
before our hero, the sheriff, uncovers the identity of
the reincarnated JACK FROST as a snowman capable of
melting, snowing, and freezing his way into the
unlikeliest of places (back seat of a car,
refrigerator, bath tub, underneath doors, etc).
FBI agent Manners and the scientist responsible for
the chemical also join the pursuit of Jack. Minor
conflicts occur as Manners attempts to keep everyone
on a "need to know" basis including the sheriff while
the scientist wants to contain rather than destroy
Jack as positive evidence for his research.
Of course in a film such as JACK FROST the viewing
audience can forgive awful performances, horrible
dialogue, unfunny one liners, and even ridiculous
premises (A KILLER SNOWMAN!?!?!) if we are provided
with FX heavy killing and/or action sequences. And
this is JACK FROST's biggest disappointment. It is
understood a film such as this has budget constraints.
Good filmmakers overcome this with imagination and
improvisation. While a few scenes were memorable (ax
handle in face, face buried in christmas ornaments,
anti-freeze concept), most were just plain laughable
(the bathtub carrot sequence was absolutely
ridiculous...its only highlight was that AMERICAN PIE
foreign student beauty Shannon Elizabeth was the
victim). After watching the credits, I feel the
greatest terror generated by this film was the fact
that SCREAMING MAD GEORGE was head of the FX
team...and they still sucked (see CHILDREN OF THE CORN
III, RE-ANIMATOR, SILENT NIGHT DEADLY NIGHT 4 for some
good SCREAMING MAD GEORGE FX).
Of course, when renting a film such as JACK FROST one
must be in a certain state of mind to enjoy it.
Relieve yourself of any intelligent thought, take a
deep breath, put yourself in a near catatonic state
and prepare your eyes for a visual treat. I did just
that and was still disappointed. Why? Because Brian
Yuzna and Willaim Lustig spoiled me with his direct to
video horror gems.
Review By Steve P.
E-mAil Me
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