‘Frozen' Presents Harrowing Tale Of Survival

‘Frozen' Presents Harrowing Tale Of Survival

Rabid Doll gives an early review of Adam Green's new film, in theaters Friday

By BRYANT GRIFFIN
2-2-2010

Trapped on a chairlift and lashed by icy winds, three skiers face true despair in "Frozen," a cringe inducing descent into desperation.

"Hatchet" director Adam Green helms "Frozen" based on a script he wrote, which strands a couple and their friend on a chairlift, forgotten by the ski resort as a snow storm brews on the horizon.

It's a story concept that seems to creep into your mind while seated on any chairlift. What if this rickety thing breaks down? How do you get down? What if it falls?

Surely the lift operators could get you down, or respond to an accident -- yes, that's a sure bet. But human fallibility and nature cruelly conspire in Green's script, giving him ample opportunity to craft a gripping survival tale with agonizing moments of tension.

Unfortunately for Parker (Emma Bell), Dan (Kevin Zegers) and Lynch (Shawn Ashmore) -- who are finishing up a weekend of snowboarding and skiing -- a final late-afternoon run down the mountain proves a nightmarish mistake.

They're eventually stranded halfway up the wooded slope on the chairlift as it powers down for the week. Yes, that's right, they'll have to wait until the next weekend before the resort opens again. Hard decisions are quickly forced upon them. A storm is rolling in. Frostbite is a constant threat. The snow-packed slope seems far below, but is the fall too far to survive? Add to this another nasty reality: wolves prowl the woods.

While he celebrated the lighthearted tenor and outlandish murders of many 1980s slasher films with "Hatchet," Green looks to paint a bleak and realistic take of man against nature with "Frozen." And he succeeds admirably.

Like many successful suspense films, "Frozen" takes pause to present its characters with the substance necessary to engage audiences with their plight. Bell, Ashmore and Zegers aptly support Green's script, helping ground events with the realism its subject matter demands. You may not agree with the actions of the characters, but like many who are unexpectedly thrust into a crisis their fevered desperation is a recipe for disaster.

What Worked

This film is simply a survival tale; don't look for flashy effects or twist-ending gimmicks here. "Frozen" is lean, efficient and at times shockingly nasty.

Although Green doesn't take the film to "Hatchet's" level of unbridled gore, there are some truly painful scenes. You know these queasy moments are coming, and Green seems to relish making his audience squirm with frostbite wounds, peeling skin and compound fractures.

Suspense is the film's weapon of choice, however. The dilemma facing the characters is an involving concept, leaving you invested in the story's resolution. Each possible action they could take carries enormous risks; even sitting patiently in their chairlift, hoping for a timely rescue, seems unbearable.

What Didn't Work

Being a survival film at heart, "Frozen" leaves you plenty of opportunities to second guess the hapless skiers. Their decisions are the one aspect of the film that may leave some viewers cold.

In fact, the film invites an "if it was me who was up there ..." critique. I had two ideas, both of which the characters attempted, so I wouldn't have been much help planning an escape. What could I nitpick at? I know one immediate step I would have insisted on: keeping my face completely buried in my hoodie and wool cap -- that's right, essentially making me one ridiculously boring character!

And should I ever feel compelled to shimmy across a cable ... well, the use of my legs to assist would be an absolute necessity. Sorry Lynch, you're crazy!

That said, Green gives us a harrowing film. He's a director to watch. You could plant "Frozen" movie posters at ski resorts throughout the world and watch their profits plummet.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Frozen" stars Emma Bell, Shawn Ashmore and Kevin Zegers. It was written and directed by Adam Green.

"Frozen" opens in theaters Friday.

About the Author: Bryant Griffin is the assistant news editor for Airlock Alpha and sister site Rabid Doll. He served as a journalist in the U.S. Army, as well as while a civilian. In 2002, he joined Quantum Global Media Inc., contributing to many early design concepts before shifting his focus back to writing. Bryant hails from Tampa, Fla.