Title: Frozen in Time
ARC Entertainment
Director: Alex Leung
Writer: Melissa Rundle
Cast: Ed Asner, Drake Bell, Mira Sorvino, Valin Shinyei, Alyssya Swales
Running time: 45minutes, Rated G
Special Features: None
Available November 11
Siblings Eric, Patty and Brody are not looking forward to visiting Grandpa for Christmas. The parents are stressed and the younger kids can’t even bring their dog Arnie, although they manage to sneak him into the car anyway. After a driving mishap, they make it to Grandpa’s house where they are bombarded with all of the spry oldtimer’s inventions. After disobeying their parents yet again, the kids are stuck to hanging out around the house where they discover a clock in Grandpa’s workshop that they manage to wreck. Soon they are transported back to the day before where they are back at home, and have to live out the entire day over again…and again…and again. The kids enlist their grandpa to take them to the North Pole to Santa’s workshop to fix Santa’s clock that happens to be broken and save Christmas.
The Good: It has a message about kids being more respectful towards their elders and no be so selfish. The kids end up getting most of what they want when they are nicer and willing to do things with the family. Some of the visual jokes are actually funny – like the older brother constantly on his phone.
The Bad: The kid voices are annoying. I don’t get how the kids have to keep living out the same day when the clock never gets busted again after the first day. How does their clock affect Santa’s clock? It’s never really explained, but we’re just supposed to accept that it does.
I’m not saying this is a good movie, but it’s decent enough to throw into the mix of other annoying holiday films you parents will be subjected to, and not have to hear “Let it Go” for at least 45 minutes is always a win.
Acting: C
Story: C-
Technical: B
Total Rating: C
Reviewed by: JM Willis
