In an industry plagued with remakes and sequels, it is a rare occurrence to see something new and original. Granted Adam Green's new film Frozenisn't entirely new or original, it does take a stab at something a bit different, and for that I applaud him.
The film, which follows three friends during a seemingly normal day on the slopes, contains a pretty generic formula. Incidents occur leaving our three lead protagonists stranded about a hundred feet off the ground on a ski lift. The slopes won't open for another five days, so sitting out the wait won't do, and with a pack of wolves swarming below, getting down doesn't seem like a viable option either. Now, with time of the essence, the three will be forced to push their luck and play a game of survival.
Okay, I get it. It doesn't sound too intense. But hear me out, because I promise you it is.
Adam Green created Hatchet, one of the most under-respected horror films of the last ten years. And here, in Frozen, his cast of three actors work brilliantly together, creating a bonded friendship during filming that paves way to a believable friendship on the big screen (Ashmore and Zegers were friends before the filming, only adding to their chemistry).
The set is literally one piece. The actors are really hanging high above the grounds, and after speaking to them I learned that the weather was freezing and that they often sat there for hours on end. The special effects aren't anything to call home about, but that, in part, is what makes this film so great.
Gone are the bloodbath effects that force you to turn your head into your neighbor. Gone is the language, the graphic violence and the "˜who done it' mystery. Instead, audiences are greeted with a film that focuses on your inner psyche, the art of the unknown, and the deathly hollows of nature.
Emma Bell does an amazing job in her acting debut, holding her own against X-Menstar Shawn Ashmore and "˜Gossip Girl' guest star Kevin Zegers. The fact that each is able to connect with different sectors of the audience is something definitely worth noting, and the film benefits as a result.
The ending will likely surprise many, even if it doesn't appear to be entirely based on probability "“ or even possibility. It is a journey, one that dissects your mind and forces you to put yourself in the same situation. The individual components are great, and I can now safely say that Green has risen to the top as one of my favorite and most respected directors in the horror genre. Having never skied before, it makes me wonder if I will ever do so "“ at least I never plan on talking my way onto a slope at the last minute.
