DVD Review: Jack Frost Deluxe Remastered Edition
Filed under: — Cartoon, DVD
Written by: Dominick at 1:28 PM
Movie Info:
Writer: Romeo Muller
Director: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
Cast: Buddy Hackett, Robert Morse, Paul Frees, Larry Storch, Dave Garroway, Debra Clinger, Don Messick
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Info:
Theatrical Release: December 13, 1979
DVD Release Date: October 7, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.99
I have always been a fan of Rankin and Bass holiday themed cartoons. I love Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, The Year Without a Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman to name a few of their most famous stop motion animation specials. There’s just something about these traditional family classics that is endearing. That’s part of why I was interested in reviewing the Rankin/Bass special, Jack Frost.
I had never seen Jack Frost before. I’m assuming this is because it’s never been on television, at least as far back as I can remember. I was born in 1980, a year after Jack Frost was released. I’m sure it aired when I was little, but before watching it for this review, I didn’t remember anything about this special.
I have to say, I’m slightly disappointed with Jack Frost. I was expecting something as good as some of the other specials. While this is fun to watch occasionally, it’s just not as good as Rudolph and Frosty. I’m not sure if this is because those two stories are well known, while people simply know Jack Frost by name without any real understanding of his story. I also don’t think people even knew he had a story. If anything, I’m assuming Rankin and Bass came up with this story themselves, because I’ve never heard it before. Either way, it falls short of being fantastic like some of their past endeavors.
Jack Frost does have a pretty decent voice cast, but the story attempted moments of amusement, with little laughter to be had. The story is kind of corny, but then that is what has made other Rankin and Bass productions appealing. I don’t think it is easy to follow up such excellent Rankin/Bass films with Jack Frost, so despite thinking it’s not as good as other, similar stop animation productions, I am willing to watch this again, with my family, if an occasion arises to do so.
Jack Frost Plot
Everybody knows who Jack Frost is, essentially. Rankin/Bass have released a stop motion animation film about this frosty fellow and it’s been remastered. Jack Frost comes in an attractive keep case with a cardboard style slipcover over it. The face of Jack Frost, with his name/the name of the DVD, is written elegantly above him in red lettering. This is a one disc, remastered DVD, much like past releases of Rankin/Bass DVDs.
The groundhog Pardon-Me-Pete (Buddy Hackett) is the narrator for the story of Jack Frost. Everyone knows that Jack Frost (Robert Morse) brings the winter frost, and cold breeze that leads the way to snow storms. Pete actually knows Jack. In fact, the two have a deal. If Pete doesn’t really see his shadow, Jack shows his own shadow. Pete then runs back in to his burrow. Jack gets six more weeks of winter and Pete gets to hibernate longer.
Pete tells the story of the only time Jack Frost was ever seen. This is the time when Jack became human. The story starts in a poor, Russian village, January Junction. The people are so poor, because the Cossack king, Kubla Kraus (Paul Frees) has taken all their money. In the winter, that doesn’t seem to matter. They make ice coins, which they use to pay for services they have to trade during warmer parts of the year. Papa (Larry Storch) is upset because Kubla has taken his last and only real coin. He was hoping to buy some nice presents for Christmas. Mama doesn’t want him to be discouraged because Jack Frost is on his way and they’ll be rich in ice coins soon.
Their daughter, Elisa (Debra Clinger) is incredibly beautiful. When Jack sees her after making everything frosty and beautiful, he decides he wants to be human. Jack asks Father Winter to become human. Father Winter agrees, because Jack has done his part to make everything frosty. The only stipulations are that he must find a wife, house and horse before the end of winter. If he doesn’t he becomes the immortal, invisible Jack Frost again. If he does, he can stay human forever.
Jack appears as a clumsy tailor. He is joined by the snowflake maker, Snip (Don Messick) and the tiny gypsy princess, Holly. Father Winter has asked them to watch over Jack. Jack soon realizes that being human is a lot harder than he thought. He’s not overly big, strong, or coordinated. Elisa has her heart set on finding a knight in shining armor, anyway. However, with Kubla Kraus set to ruin January Junction forever, with the help of his Ka-Knights, his mechanical dummy, Dummy, and his mechanical horse, Klangstomper, Jack has to help save the village, all while trying to become the man he’s always wanted to be.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability: 
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
In case you didn’t catch this from the title or what I’ve previously said, I’ll say it again. Jack Frost has been digitally remastered. The stop motion animation looks better than it has before. While I’ve never seen this actual feature before, I do have to say it looks much better than other Rankin/Bass DVDs I’ve owned, which have not been remastered. Presented at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio in standard full frames, the biggest improvement was the rich color scheme. Past stop motion endeavors may show color bleeding or glow, but this had vibrant, full, smooth colors, which really enhanced the animation.
The English Dolby Digital mono audio track is standard, at best. The sound comes through clearly. Everything sounds good. The dialogue is easy to hear. There wasn’t any need to fiddle with the volume. The track did what it was supposed to do. That being said, it wasn’t very exciting. It wasn’t overly dynamic. It wasn’t a track I’d put on a more modernly animated film. Overall, this is just your average audio track. Subtitles are available in English.
Visual:
Audio:
Bonus Features:
The Jack Frost DVD comes with a few bonuses. I’m not sure exactly how entertaining these are, but your kids might like them. The first is a featurette called “Totally Cool Crafty Creations” and is hosted by a girl who goes by the name of Francine Flake. Some reviewers have found her to be smokin’ hot, so dads will supposedly like her, but I don’t see it. Francine is sometimes called Flakey (gee, I wonder why?), and she’s so puny it’s not even funny. I kind of found this segment painful to watch. There are a few, okay craft ideas, but nothing so special that I’d watch the featurette again. Just for reference, your child will learn how to make safe, colored (or white) snow, snowflakes, and snow globes.
There is another, more interactive feature your kids will like if they like this DVD. This is the “Snip’s Sing-Along” featurette. There are karaoke style sing along songs for “Jack Frost”, “Just What I Always Wanted” and “The Groundhog Song”. Finally, there are trailers for Fred Claus, Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 6, The Smurfs: Season 1, Volume 2 and Scooby-Doo And the Goblin King. There are also promos for the various Charlie Brown/Peanuts DVDs that have recently been released, when the disc is first put in the DVD player.
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Bottom Line:
While Jack Frost isn’t my favorite Rankin/Bass special, it is entertaining enough to view once or twice. You may want to rent this before you purchase it, since it won’t be for everyone. However, while many of the other Rankin/Bass stop motion animations are holiday classics that become a part of your Christmas tradition, this one won’t be a necessary addition unless you truly love it. I recommend renting first and buying if this is your cup of tea.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: Jack Frost, Deluxe Remastered Edition, DVD Review, Warner Home Video, Buddy Hackett, Robert Morse
Written by Dominick Evans - Visit Website
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Dominick is in his late 20s. He lives in Michigan with his life partner, Ashtyn, their 14 year old son Robert, and their Shih-Tzu, Oliver. Dominick is a writer and the head editor for both LI Kids and Literary Illusions. He enjoys composing music and is an aspiring director/screenwriter. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, playing and watching sports, playing video games, watching movies, and singing.
