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Frozen (2010)

DVD Cover (Anchor Bay)
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Overall Rating 65%
Overall Rating
Ranked #1,907
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Eager to go out for one last session before night falls during a skiing trip on the slopes of snow-capped Mount Holliston, the young snowboarders, Parker and Dan, and skier, Joe, talk the chairlift operator into letting them up. However, the ski lift comes to a halt before the trio gets off, trapping the friends, and leaving them dangling nearly fifteen meters above hard snowpack. Now--confined in a cramped space amid thick darkness, while knowing that the resort will be closed for the next five long days--the unfortunate thrill-seekers are up against the mountain's freezing temperatures, and a ravenous pack of wolves waiting for their slightest mistake. Can they survive when there's nowhere to go but down? --IMDb
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Review by Chad
Added: September 26, 2011
Frozen is one of those movies that really could have went either way, and thus, I put off watching it for a good long while. I thought that the plot sounded pretty good, but that's about it. It didn't sound amazing and it didn't sound horrible, it just sounded pretty good - no more and no less. However, what really had me on the fence was the fact that it was directed by Adam Green. Now, I loved the Hatchet series as much as the next horror fan, but those were straight-up horror flicks that relied on a disfigured serial killer tearing people to shreds in the grisliest ways imaginable. Good, solid fun, but could the guy who made his name with these movies put together a film that relied on atmosphere and tension with minimal gore and slashing? That was the million dollar question, and it is also the reason that it took me so long to pop this one in.

As for the story, it centers around three college kids - Parker (Emma Bell), Lynch (Shawn Ashmore), and Dan (Kevin Zegers) - who decide to leave their cell phones home, put their textbooks on the shelf, and head out for a weekend of skiing / snowboarding to get away from it all. When Sunday rolls around and the resort is about to shut down, they bribe the ski-lift operator into letting them go for one more run down the mountain. Unfortunately, through a series of events, the lift is turned off while they are still halfway up the mountain. Now, trapped in a lift fifty feet above the ground in sub-zero temperatures with no hope of being rescued until the resort reopens five days from tonight, the trio finds themselves in a very sticky situation.

Let me say this: a lot of things happen in the film that I am intentionally omitting from this synopsis. I could sit here in my chair and tell you the first thing that they try in order to save themselves, and I could then proceed to tell you the results and consequences of that decision, but what fun would that be for you, the virgin viewer? So, you're just going to have to take my word when I tell you that the film is not merely ninety minutes of three college kids sitting in a lift chatting with one another. It is not a fast-paced action flick by any means and it certainly relies on atmosphere and the slow creep of dread to keep things interesting, but it does move along at a nice pace regardless.

To be honest, comparisons could easily be made between Frozen and Open Water. Both scenarios occur because of an unfortunate series of events, both films rely on characters trying to get through their current situations, and both films... well, I'll just leave it at that. Now, Open Water was one of those movies that you either loved or you hated. You either loved the atmosphere and the slow build-up, or you absolutely hated the way that the entire film focused on a handful of characters and "like, nothing happened!" I loved the film, but I know it does have its fair share of detractors. If you hated it, stay away from this one. It is very similar in style even though it does have a little more action, but those of you who liked Open Water will absolutely love Frozen.

What makes the film work so well, in my humble opinion, is the writing. These characters are not stupid, and the things that you will undoubtedly be thinking in your mind when you see their situation occur to them as well. "Why don't they just ____?" = they think of that and possibly try it. This is not like one of those slasher flicks where the most obvious of solutions totally escapes the characters, and the film as a whole works that much better because of that. This is aided by a great trio of actors who may not have been perfect, but they were more than acceptable in their roles and never once gave me a reason to complain about them. Thumbs up all around.

Honestly, I can't think of a single flaw in the movie. It's not for everyone, as those of you who disliked the slow build found in Open Water won't have your minds changed when you see the same formula play out here, but if you were a fan of it there, you'll love it here. Personally, I loved it, and as much as I love Green's splatterfests, I'd just as much love to see him stick with a couple more movies like this. 10/10.
Ace Brewer #1: Ace Brewer - added September 26, 2011 at 5:34pm
Awesome film! I agree. Seen it in the theater the week it played. There were less than a dozen people there on opening night! If they would have advertised it, it may have done well. Gotta love the Kane Hodder cameo and the snow plow driver!!
bluemeanie #2: bluemeanie - added October 24, 2011 at 9:54pm
Yeah - definitely not in love with this film like you are. I cannot put my finger on it but it just felt like it was missing something. I didn't think it was very original, premise wise, and I thought the acting was the only thing that saved it. Not a terrible film, just more like a 6.5/10 for me.
blarc #3: blarc - added January 27, 2012 at 1:04pm
I kind of liked it. Yes, there were parts where you go.. "well why the hell would you do that you idiot." but it was not a total waste of time.
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