Frosty Returns

Jonathan Winters as the narrator visits Beansborough's annual carnival but it may not happen this winter. Little Holly would rather play with her magic set. A heavy wind blows her magic hat which lands on a snowman. Frosty (John Goodman) comes alive with her hat. Mr. Twitchell has invented a spray Summer Wheeze which disappears snow and he sends out his trucks to spray his invention. Frosty is in danger. Holly has to convince everybody that snow is actually good.

The animation looks simplistic like old 70s kids show. However, it's different from the original Frosty the Snowman. The original is softer and more charming. This animation looks uglier. The spray actually seems like a good idea although Twitchell doesn't make sense. He's a weird villain who is battling nature. The whole thing seems like a late-night writing session gone wrong. This is way too stupid without the charm of the original. Also the songs are pretty weak. This is one Christmas special that doesn't need to be repeated.

This is bad. I mean, it's just BAD. There is no reason at all to watch this.

The animation is poor and the characters look like cheap, Charlie Brown knockoffs. Specifically, the nerdy science kid looks like Marcie's illegitimate little brother with a bad wig. The writers, desperately trying to channel the spirit of Willy Wonka, tried to make a script that appealed to kids on one level, and adults on another, and failed, miserably, at both.

The music (by Mark Mothersbaugh, late of DEVO) was tuneless and boring and completely unmemorable - which, considering it came from someone who had given us inspired music like "That's Pep", "Peek-a-Boo" and the cover of "Satisfaction", you expected far better.

Shall I go on? In an attempt to relate to kids from broken homes, they have Holly's mother, Lil, with a father who is unaccounted for. My best guess is that he was at Moe's Place with Homer Simpson because he was too embarrassed to be associated with this.

As I watched this with my daughter (who, wisely, was more concerned with playing with junk mail and my dog's chew toy) I cringed at the songs, winced at the "jokes", shook my head at the awful animation. Then came four words that explained everything: "Executive Producer - Lorne Michaels".

And suddenly, it all made sense.

The shame of this is that I like John Goodman, I like Jan Hooks and I even like Jonathan Winters. I sense they were trying their best to make chicken salad out of this. But their talents, were completely wasted here.

It is incredible to me that CBS insists on showing this garbage, every year, back-to-back with the original Frosty - a sublime classic. I get that CBS owns it, and consequently can make more cheddar by cramming this down our throats annually; but, then again, I own a pair of orange plaid bell bottoms and a 45 of Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" and I'm not going to break them out for public consumption any time soon.

I spent 30 minutes watching this, and I'm never going to get those 30 minutes back. Watching replays of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, would have been more rewarding.

Avoid, avoid, AVOID!!!

-748/10

This is not a Sequel to Frosty the Snowman it's barely a Christmas show There already is a sequel it's called Frosty's Winter Wonderland. I am not as angry with this special as some people are but it's problems The villain is not a villain at all he has made a great invention a spray that melts snow and ice.Frosty and holly the girl who brought him to life with a magic hat have to stop the spray that swept the town trucks go by spraying the stuff around like DDT trucks.There is no mention of Christmas or Holiday the only thing anyone talks about is the Winter Carnival for all i know this takes place in January or February there's one part were someone says it should only snow on the Winter Carnival what about snowing on Christmas.Holly's friend Charles has no imagination and can't believe frosty came to life by magic And frosty can live without his hat on his pipe is even gone. I believe that Christmas came from the winter solstice and i would not mind a winter solstice Christmas special but this is to PC it's not all bad but it's got many flaws.One thing i don't get is why frosty's winter wonderland from Rankin Bass air once or twice a year on ABCfamily and this airs every time Frosty does.

A lot of people say this is complete crap. I don't think it is but the first Frosty the Snowman is way better. This story isn't as good and it wasn't very memorable.

I saw this Christmas Special for the first time this past Christmas and that was one time too many. This was by far the worst Christmas special I have ever seen. It was played right after the classic original "Frosty the Snowman" making viewers think it has something to do with it. One of the reasons it is so bad is the fact that it has nothing to do with Christmas whatsoever. The story revolves around a winter festival or something similar and some villain who wants to take winter away. The animation is awful as well, no where near the quality of the original or even the good sequel "Frosty's Winter Wonderland." The fact that they stuck this on as a bonus feature for the DVD of the original turned me away. I really can't describe how bad it really is. I'd say "see if for yourself" but no one should have to endure this farce. It is a complete blasphemy to anything relating to Christmas, Frosty, or winter. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!