This snowman is somebody you want to build.
The Frosty the Snowman story I grew up with was the 1969 Rankin/Bass animated special with Jimmy Durante narrating. It took a magic hat to bring him to life with “Happy Birthday” being his first words.
And ever since “Frozen” came out, we do add a lot of appreciation and humor for its goofy snowman Olaf, iconically and memorably voiced by Josh Gad. And yet, he isn’t all self-congratulatory about it, as there are many other snow people besides him or Frosty.
I can imagine someone suggesting it to come in the form of a handsome man with a six pack, and the title would be called “Hot Frosty.” And then they would suggest they add it to Netflix’s library, along with some of their recent holiday hits like “Klaus,” “The Christmas Chronicles,” and “Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.”
I was thinking that it would make a corny movie, but after seeing some positive reactions, I had to see it for myself, and it was a holly jolly surprise for me. This Frosty, who is named Jack and played by Dustin Milligan, seems like a splice between Brendan Fraser’s title character in “George of the Jungle” and Will Ferrell’s Buddy in “Elf.” And it actually works for me, because of how funny and good-hearted he commits to the role.
It also features a leading lady in the form of Lacey Chabert, who is best known for voicing Eliza on Nickelodeon’s “The Wild Thornberries,” playing Gretchen Wieners in “Mean Girls,” and her other acting credits include “Not Another Teen Movie” and “Black Christmas.” And according to the facts, she has appeared in a number of Hallmark movies. And judging by the title and poster, “Hot Frosty” may seem like a Hallmark entry. But it’s so much more than that.
Chabert plays a diner owner and former cook named Kathy, who loses her handyman husband to cancer and needs some help around her house. Her clothing store friends (Sherry Miller and Dan Lett) give her a special scarf, which she gives to a really buff snowman from the annual snowman building contest. Of course, he comes to life, and sets off a number of confusing misunderstandings, which triggers the attentions of the hard nosed sheriff (Craig Robinson).
Jack (and remember that’s what the movie is calling him) doesn’t know it’s a crime to go streaking (since he was built without clothes on) or steal clothes (which he didn’t know was stealing), and he finds and thanks Kathy for bringing him to life.
Of course, because this is a movie with formulas, she has to have trouble believing this alleged fantasy, which is now a reality for her. But unlike Zooey Deschanel’s cynical character in “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” she immediately comes to terms with his eccentricity and curiosity. And like “Elf,” he does his best to overpower anyone’s cynicism during the holidays.
So, I guess now I see what all the fuss was about with “Hot Frosty.” It may not be a perfect holiday movie, but it still delivers with honesty and laughs, thanks to the charming chemistry between Chabert and Milligan, and the entertaining attitude from Robinson.
In theatrical terms, “Red One,” a terrible holiday action comedy, costs $250 million to make. However, the sight gags and sets look like they were taken from rejected designs from much better holiday favorites and the chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans was reminiscent of those 80s action comedy buddy movies. It was a colossal waste of money.
“Hot Frosty” was obviously cheaper to make, but it still works on its own level. And I like how one scene feels inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life.” You’ll know what it is once you see it.
Now Streaming on Netflix