Audience Member
Another solid entry from Rankin and Bass. The best Jack Frost story out there for sure. Very fun, charming special that pays homage to winter, groundhogs and of course christmas. Sure, there are better Rankin and Bass specials, but this is still a very solid one that deserves a watch. Yes it may be a bit of a depressing ending but the other 47 minutes are quite cheerful. This one definitely defied expectations. More for the older crowd than younger.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
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Andrew S
A pretty good story that honestly borrows too much for other films.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/01/22
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Audience Member
Mostly because of the great songs by Jules Bass and Maury Laws, and the outstanding Rankin/Bass stop-motion animation, this is another classic holiday special, if not quite as good as their first (Rudolph). But it does have that wonderful combination of fantasy, humor, and great songs that give the viewer that euphoric, magical feeling that the best Rankin/Bass specials provide in spades.
For me, the high points include the "Just What I Always Wanted" song, (***SPOILER ALERT***) where they give each other an empty box while the receiver pretends what is inside, and most of the songs Kublai Krauss sings (maybe there are only two, but they are hilarious).
I've seen some reviewers fault it for having a Russian antagonist; but he's a Cossack, not necessarily Russian. And to be fair, wherever this is set (whether eastern Europe or Russia), the protagonists live there, too; they're the same nationality as Kublai Krauss regardless of ethnicity. My only fault here would be that the parents have the eastern European/Russian accent as Krauss, but the daughter Elise, Jack, and the knight in gold armor have American accents. Since Jack is from the magical winter clouds, I guess he doesn't necessarily have to have any regional accent, but I'm not sure why a girl born & raised in Russia (or wherever this is set) doesn't have a Russian accent (which, in an English-language production, I guess stands in for the Russian language).
I also saw a reviewer knock its "borscht belt" humor. Borscht belt has to do with resorts that catered to Jewish guests in the 20th century, and most of the comedians who played those resorts were Jewish people who focused on Jewish humor. Aside from having Buddy Hackett play the narrator, I found there to be zero Jewish humor in this special.
I suppose the attempt to link the narrator (a groundhog) to the story via Groundhog Day is a bit weak, as is the presumption that, by slicing icicles into "coins", the townsfolk suddenly have money, but considering that the audience for this ranges from young children to, at the oldest, pre-teens, an adult viewer should be able to recognize that it doesn't have to make sense compared to the real world. It's childrens' fantasy.
As of December 2021, Justwatch.com lists at least 6 services where you can stream Jack Frost, and at least one of those is free with ads. So if you're in the mood for some Rankin/Bass stop-motion animation, check this one out!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/19/23
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Audience Member
Crap crap crap crap crap crap crap. Suck it, Ricky. Crap. merry christmas
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
01/16/23
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Audience Member
From Rankin/Bass comes the animated holiday special Jack Frost. Famed groundhog Pardon-Me-Pete recounts the tale of how he met Jack Frost one fateful Groundhog Day and the time that Jack attempted to become human. Narrated by Buddy Hackett, the film has a strong cast that features several Rankin/Bass regulars. And as usual, the animation and character designs are especially well-done. Additionally, the songs, such as "Jack Frost is Here" and "Just What I Always Wanted," are charming and whimsical. Entertaining and fun, Jack Frost is another solid entry in the Rankin/Bass catalog.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Dude ummmm you're wrong. Kubla Kraus is one of the best Rankin/Bass villains ever.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
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