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Jack Frost (1998) (PG, 1998)

common sense media says

Michael Keaton's frozen rocker dad makes a bad role model.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's a lot of juvenile behavior coming from the patriarch of the Frost clan. He's chronically late, self-absorbed, and when in the form of a snowman, talks a lot about his "balls" and his "big butt."

Positive messages: Charm is a primary characteristic of charlatans, and Jack Frost has charm in spades. He's looking out for number one, but is able to convince his family that he cares about them. Ultimately his wife and his son do the heavy lifting for him-- even when he returns to life as a snowman.
Positive role models: Jack Frost is a pretty self-centered guy, who tries to be there for his
son but can't seem to make it happen. Yes, he soothes his son and makes him understand how much he loves him, but it's up to the son to save his dad in the end.
Violence: Dead of a parent in a car crash that seems rather glossed over. Some mild bully behavior and a snowball fight. The snowman's face can have a scary look about it, which youngest viewers might find frightening.
Sex: Mom and dad characters share long kisses and a moment in bed where mom is wearing a tight-fitting neglige. Some mild sexual references.
Language: Mild enough, but frequent and juvenile. "Balls," "butt," "butt boy," "butt head," "ass," "dammit," "crap," "sucks."
Consumerism: Mention of Jeep and Porsche cars. Denver sports franchises like the Avalanche and Broncos teams.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Charlie jokes with his dad about how his mom puts two martinis in his lunch box. Bar scenes are smokey and boozy.
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More on Jack Frost (1998)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about how Charlie's dad's death affects Charlie. Why does he quit the hockey team? Why do his grades fall? What would happen to Charlie if his dad didn't come back as a snowman?
  • Jack tells his son not to tell anyone about his reincarnation. When is it OK to keep a secret? When do the words "don't tell anyone" raise a red flag?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Jack Frost (Michael Keaton) is a guy who feels at home being on stage in his rock band. While playing a gig in Denver, a record producer hears the band and wants to bring them on his label. Jack comes home to his wife (Kelly Preston) and son, Charlie (Joseph Cross) late at night, and gets a warm welcome. When Charlie invites Jack to his hockey game, he promises to make it, but is too involved in a recording session to get there in time. To make up for it, Jack commits to taking the family to their mountain cabin for Christmas. But just as they are packing the car, he gets a call from the record company and -- you guessed it -- can't make the trip. He has a change of heart, deciding to turn around and make it home for Christmas. But fate has other plans, and he perishes in a car crash. One year later, when Charlie plays the magic harmonica that Jack had given him, the snowman outside becomes host to a familiar spirit. Guess who's home for Christmas?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Michael Keaton lights up the screen with his portrayal of this rocker-dad-turned-snowman. But he's not given much to work with. The plot is predictable and the special effects are more creepy than cool (that wry expression of Keaton's looks rather evil on the snowman). We expect more from Jim Henson's workshop, frankly! Though the soundtrack and the beautiful shots of the Rocky Mountains in winter add some grandeur, this movie takes the topics of death and loss a little too lightly. Charlie mopes and feels a little bitter, but nothing emotionally profound happens, even when Dad shows up again. It's as though every dad comes back as a snowman or some such thing in order to say his proper good-byes. More fluff here than substance.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Troy Miller
Cast: Kelly Preston, Mark Addy, Michael Keaton
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: October 28, 1998
DVD release: October 28, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: mild language
This review was written by Joly Herman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

battle king
kid, 10 years old
13
 
car crashes shootings and slashings are all part of this movie the snow man is shot by the police and a dad dies in a car crash but the point is that you give
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ht3696
teen, 15 years old
8
 
(:
i like it
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (3)
nduns
adult
9
 
I'd say this passes as a kid's movie
but it doesn't even do that. I saw this when I was 10 and the snowman actually frightened me with its appearance, but I could have looked past that had the story been good. It wasn't. It takes forever for the plot to show itself, they kinda gloss over Jack's death like it's barely important and all in all, Jack is a terrible, terrible role model! There's some humor that's very risque for kids, but I can look past that were it in mildly good taste, but it's really not. I don't normally say this, but this movie will most likely scare your kids for the wrong reasons.
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Justino4
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Moderate
Jack Frost is surprisingly moderate as far as sexual jokes (big balls, boobs, etc.), language and drinking goes. It's almost unnoticable, but it's there.
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uncle joe
teen, 17 years old
10
 
DONT BOTHER
crap
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