Frozen (2010) – Nature’s Fury Blogathon

Posted on June 20, 2016 by emmakwall

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Firstly, thanks very much to Barry of Cinema Catharsis for hosting such an interesting blogathon. When I read about it I knew immediately which film I wanted to review. Arachnophobia. But that was already taken so I settled with Frozen (let it go, let it go) instead.

*this review contains some spoilers*

Frozen (2010)

Before Frozen became the most annoying phenomenon EVER it was actually an American horror/thriller, released in 2010. The story follows three friends who get stuck on a ski lift and alright, it might not sound like the most terrifying set-up ever – especially if there’s Grappa and an electric blanket for company – but for our comrades in this instance, conditions are not fun. Think of a movie like Open Water, move it to a ski resort and you’re half way there.

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Due to a series of Final-Destination-esque events (maybe slightly less dramatic) our three friends find themselves stuck on a ski lift chair with no power, no lights and no-one hiding behind a bush shouting “wind up!”. Everyone has left, the resort is closed and our friends realise they will be stuck for the next week – and likely die – unless they find a way down.

I’m not sure how far up they are exactly – but it’s high enough you wouldn’t choose to jump unless you want your leg bones to pop out the top of your knees before you’re eaten to death by wolves. Hint – this may happen. And I think the proper medical term is actually ‘compound fracture’.

If you read snotty critic reviews for Frozen you’ll more than likely read its “dumb” or “predictable” but I personally really enjoyed it. It’s not going to win any major awards but it’s a fun, interesting film and better than your average small time horror. Sure, you’ll be shouting at the TV occasionally when you disagree with their Best Plan Of Action but that’s the worst thing I could say about it. Mobile phones don’t exist in ski resorts, okay?

I liked the characters, especially Joe (played by Shaun Ashmore) and the dialogue is intentionally funny at times. It’s set-up in a smart way so we immediately get thrown into their world, their relationships with one another and their fun day out. With a film that relies heavily on suspense and tension this works perfectly because it’s easier to empathise and ‘feel like we’re there with them’ when the shit hits the fan.

And it’s definitely a very tense film. As ridiculous as it might sound, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a similar situation as you’re watching – and man is it bleak. Apart from leg bones and wolves and licking the side of the cable car (only joking, Jeff Daniels isn’t in this) the freezing conditions make for some fairly nasty side effects like frostbite and…. um, frostbite. But frostbite is very horrid.

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Frozen tries to take the most realistic approach and though there are gross, gory scenes too (yay!), much of the unpleasantness comes from fairly regular inconveniences (I know, interesting choice of word) like having to sit and piss yourself because there’s literally nothing you can do about it.

I mean OBVIOUSLY being eaten by wolves is worse than a wet bum but I’m guessing that a lot of us would never jump in the first place, so it shows it from all angles. And dying slowly in freezing conditions covered in frostbite and urine whilst crying over your dead boyfriend’s body (or what’s left of it anyway) isn’t that great either.

Despite Frozen being my second choice for the blogathon I’m so glad I went with it. It’s a neat little thriller/horror and the more I thought about it, the more incredibly perfect it did seem for Nature’s Fury. There’s no bad guy after all – absolutely everything awful that happens is courtesy of Mother Nature.

And damn nature…….you scary!

Frozen wolf food

About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
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59 Responses to Frozen (2010) – Nature’s Fury Blogathon

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  1. Jay says:
    June 21, 2016 at 05:13

    OH man, I’m seriously uncomfortable just reading about it, how could I survive watching it? One day they will make a horror movie out of me watching a horror movie.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Barry P. (@Barry_Cinematic) says:
    June 20, 2016 at 21:18

    Clever (and very funny) review, Emma! I didn’t enjoy Frozen quite as much as you did, but I agree the frostbite and compound fracture scenes were suitably icky.

    Thank you so much for participating in the Nature’s Fury Blogathon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 21, 2016 at 09:16

      Thank you so much for your kind words Barry! 🙂 it means an awful lot. Thank you for hosting such a great blogathon and for having me along for the ride!

      #compoundfracture

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      Reply
  3. Aaron says:
    June 20, 2016 at 19:23

    I’ve passed on this one a few times because of poor reviews, but maybe I’ll take a break from the oldies and give it a shot. Sounds like it’s at the very least, entertaining.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • emmakwall says:
      June 21, 2016 at 09:22

      Ah you don’t wanna pay any attention to reviews haha 🙂

      In all seriousness this is a fun, entertaining film. Better than a lot of others I’ve seen (and enjoyed!)

      What’s on your watch list this week? 🙂

      Like

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  4. In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood says:
    June 20, 2016 at 19:00

    Thanks for the great article. I’ve never seen this film, but I’m definitely going to add it to my ‘To Watch list’. Don’t forget to check out my contribution to the blogathon.

    KEY LARGO ( 1948 )

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. drhumpp says:
    June 20, 2016 at 18:08

    There were definitely some tense moments in this one and it elicits those fun “what if” conversations.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff says:
    June 20, 2016 at 15:39

    Ems! This movie was sooo good! It’s one of those movies that gets your insides all tied up in a knot. Awesome choice!
    “Let it go, let it go!
    Can’t hold it back any more.
    Let it go, let it go!
    Turn away and slam the door!”

    Sorry. I just couldn’t resist!😈
    #hugs

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  7. theipc says:
    June 20, 2016 at 15:18

    Clam!!

    I LOVE this movie!!

    *whistle whistle*

    Love,

    Pen

    O _ o o _ O

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. vinnieh says:
    June 20, 2016 at 15:02

    I’d never heard of this Frozen before, but it looks right up my street.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Lara/Trace says:
    June 20, 2016 at 13:48

    Reblogged this on BLOG SCOUTS on WordPress and commented:
    Are you writing about film? Then study this blog. Wonderfully done!

    Like

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  10. beetleypete says:
    June 20, 2016 at 13:45

    I watched this on Film 4 some time ago, and expected dumb and predictable. It was actually surprisingly good, and I was glad to have recorded it, so I could skip the adverts. Three people stuck in a ski-lift, what can you make of that? Well quite a lot, it seems. Good call, Em

    (Have you ever seen this? People trapped in a lift. That works very well too.)
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1314655/
    As ever, Pete. XXX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 20, 2016 at 14:33

      Yay! Glad we agree again 🙂 it’s definitely better than your average ‘low rent movie’ if you know what I mean. Well I know you do!

      Writing this review has made me want to watch it again haha! I’ve seen Devil yes, I did enjoy it actually. It was one of those movies that I felt the first 1/2 half was better than the last 1/2 but to be fair I think that about MANY movies. The set up was great! xxx

      P.S good call on recording!! We hate adverts!!

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      • beetleypete says:
        June 20, 2016 at 17:01

        Nothing worse than breaking up a good film with adverts for cars, or for self-levelling chairs for oldies! (I’m older than most of the extras in those ads, and I can still get out of a chair for F***’s sake!) XXX

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