Jack Frost (1998)
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20% of critics liked it
(55 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(63,593 ratings)
Michael Keaton stars in this special-effects-heavy Christmas film about a boy who discovers, after his father dies in a car accident, that his dad is still alive in the form of a snowman. Unlike the horror film of the same name, Jack Frost is a children's film designed to warm the soul during a… More Michael Keaton stars in this special-effects-heavy Christmas film about a boy who discovers, after his father dies in a car accident, that his dad is still alive in the form of a snowman. Unlike the horror film of the same name, Jack Frost is a children's film designed to warm the soul during a chilly winter season. Think of this film as a live-action version of the children's classic Frosty the Snowman. The story starts with Jack Frost (Michael Keaton), a harmonica-playing blues rocker who spends too much time pursuing his musical career, leaving little time for his wife (Kelly Preston) and son Charlie (Joseph Cross). Feeling guilty for his absence and missing his son's hockey practice, he decides to forego his big audition to spend Christmas with his family. While driving home for the holidays, however, Jack dies in a tragic auto accident. The following Christmas, Jack's son builds a snowman and decorates it with his father's old clothes. When Charlie plays his father's harmonica, Jack Frost returns home in the body of the snowman. Jack has to show Charlie how much he loves him and also has to teach him the ice hockey shot he never got around to when he was alive. Along the way there are snowball fights and sled chases, and Jack finally realizes the great times he was missing with his son. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi
- Directed By
- Troy Miller
- Written By
- Mark Steven Johnson, Jonathan Roberts, Steve Bloom, Jeff Cesario
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 11, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Jack Frost is so treacly and fake it makes you feel like you're trapped in a winter-wonderland paperweight.
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Peter Brunette, Film.com
Let it melt!
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Now we have proof: It's possible for the Jim Henson folks and Industrial Light and Magic to put their heads together and come up with the most repulsive single creature in the history of special effects!
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
The snowman, which is the work of Jim Henson's Creature Shop, is the most glaring problem. It looks about as real as a man in a costume, and it's tough to suspend disbelief when you're trying to locate the zipper.
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Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Its heart is in the right place.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Michael Keaton
as Jack Frost
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Kelly Preston
as Gabby Frost
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Mark Addy
as Mac MacArthur
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Joseph Cross
as Charlie Frost
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Scott Thomson
as Dennis' Dad
- Ahmet Zappa
- Dweezil Zappa
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Moon Zappa
as Uncredited (School Teacher)
- Henry Rollins
- Trevor Rabin
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Andrew Lawrence
as Tuck Gronic
