I've always loved 'trapped in a single location' type films – from the likes of PHONE BOOTH to CUBE. Frozen is the latest effort, a thriller with horrific overtones in which a trio of people find themselves trapped on a chair lift in sub-zero temperatures. There's very little in the way of build-up and exposition, and instead the film gets on with tackling the various dangers that the stranded folk face: everything from frostbite to the possibility of being eaten alive by wolves.
The movie emphasises realism throughout; there are no outlandish heroics here, no contrivances, just a very real chance of dying in an increasingly horrible way. I always judge the success of movies by how well they make you feel like you're there in the situation with the characters, and FROZEN achieves that effect very well. There's plenty of suspense en route, and if the characters aren't the most likable or interesting you'll find in a film, then they're far from the least interesting either. Instead they're presented as ordinary folk, little different from you or me, adding to the 'what would I do?' feel.
Director Adam Green – the man behind the HATCHET movies – is clearly a horror lover first and foremost, thus the emphasis here is on the horrible nature of the scenario. Although much of what occurs is kept off screen, this makes it all the more powerful and there's no denying the sickening feeling that accompanies one unforgettable event, achieved through sound effects alone. Don't be fooled - there's also a fair amount of gore and unpleasant stuff on-screen, too. All in all this is an effective and tension-filled little thriller with much to recommend it.
