In the holiday family favorite ‘Jack Frost,’ as a touring musician clinging to dreams of stardom, aging rocker Jack Frost never had much time for his wife, Gabby, and young son, Charlie.
A year after Jack’s tragic death in a car accident on Christmas Day, Charlie plays a tune on his father’s harmonica.
Much to his surprise, the elder Frost is magically brought back to life as a snowman on the family lawn. Given a second chance, Charlie and Jack struggle to make up for some lost time.
I am actually surprised that this 1998 holiday family favorite received mixed/negative reviews during its initial theatrical run. ‘Jack Frost’ delivers some great humor (mainly from Michael Keaton) and some truly sentimental moments.
The first half of the movie shows how Keaton’s character, Jack Frost, is still chasing his dreams of being a successful musician and would do what it takes. We also get to see him try to spend a little time with his family while he’s home. Once Jack decides to bail on a once in a lifetime Christmas gig, we see things could slowly turn around - until his accident.
Later in the movie when Jack magically comes back as a snowman, Jack and Charlie finally spend some quality time together, which is both nice and sometimes very funny. Granted, it took a little bit before they could spend time together since Charlie was a little weirded out with a talking snowman (I mean, who wouldn’t be weirded out with that?). There are quite a few scenes that can be fun, such as when Jack is helping Charlie with a snowball fight against some school bullies.
‘Jack Frost’ also does a good job keeping the fun going and still has an emotional feel to it. The losing a parent plot can be quite heart-breaking and when the family comes together briefly one last time at the end as Jack goes, it’s truly heart-warming.
Cast: Michael Keaton (Jack Frost); Kelly Preston (Gabby); Joseph Cross (Charlie); Andrew Lawrence (Tuck Gronic); Eli Marianthal (Spencer); Will Rothhaar (Dennis); Mike Boorem (Natalie); Mark Addy (Mac MacArthur).
Writer/director: Mark Stephen Johnson (writer) (Christopher Robin); Steve Bloom (writer) (James and the Giant Peach); ;Jonathan Roberts (The Lion King); Jeff Cesario (writer); Troy Miller (director) (Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd).
Trivia: George Clooney was originally attached to the project. When he left to do ‘Batman & Robin,’ Michael Keaton (also a former Batman) was cast in the lead role. Before Keaton took over, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop had already designed their snowman animatronic specifically to Clooney’s facial features and acting style. Kurt Russell, Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, Kevin Costner and Tim Allen were considered for the role of Jack Frost.
Rating: PG for mild language (running time 101 minutes)
If you can’t make it to the movie during the 12 Movies of Christmas festival, you can stream ‘Jack Frost’ on the Max streaming service.
George Clooney was originally attached to the project. When he left to do Batman & Robin (1997), Michael Keaton, who originated the Batman role in live action eight years earlier, was cast into the lead role. Before Keaton took over, Jim Henson's Creature Shop had already designed their snowman animatronic specifically to Clooney's facial features and acting style.
Michael Keaton co-wrote two of the songs on the soundtrack.
Tim Allen was considered for the title role. He turned it down because he was in the midst of shooting the final season of Home Improvement (1991).
Kurt Russell, Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, and Kevin Costner were considered for the role of Jack Frost.
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