Frosty the Snowman is a character that has found a place in the hearts of millions and has remained relevant since the 1950’s. In 1992 writer Oliver Goldstick and directors Evert Brown and Bill Melendez decided to develop a sequel to the beloved story of Frosty and his friend Karen called Frosty Returns. Years after Frosty’s (John Goodman) long journey to the North Pole, he returns, this time to a small town called Beansborough, where he meets the up and coming magician, Holly (Elisabeth Moss)--and her magic hat brings him to life once again. In Holly’s hometown, the older residents find snow to be cumbersome and annoying. With the help of a crazy businessman, Mr. Twitchell (Brian Doyle-Murray), those who are opposed to snow have found a product, Summer Wheeze, which will eliminate all the snow in its path. As the number of people against snow rises exponentially, Frosty’s well-being is in jeopardy. Holly must help to eliminate Summer Wheeze and save her new friend.
Frosty Returns takes elements of the 1969 classic and expands on the story of the man made of snow, and creates new allies and enemies that, like the first film, are relevant in the modern world. Goldstick uses the young Holly to represent innocence, but also uses her to express the idea of setting goals for yourself and seeing them through. It is often expressed in the film, mainly through Frosty’s interactions with Holly, that friendship and support is necessary (or at the very least helpful) when trying to achieve goals. The support that Holly finds in her new friend is important, as it expresses to young audiences that they must both accept and provide help from and to others.
Holly often expresses her love for magic, but snow plays an equally important part in her life. It provides her a place of solace and it helps to give life to Frosty. Upon Frosty’s return, Holly is exposed to differing opinions, ones that do not necessarily coincide with her own beliefs. Characters like Mr. Twitchell and Miss Carbuncle (Andrea Martin) do what they can to impose their will on her and those who disagree with their own beliefs. In the most innocent of ways (a disagreement over whether or not snow should be present in their town), young audiences are given examples of how those around them might not always agree with them, and that finding common ground and solving any issues that may arise is an important part of daily life. Through Holly, those young viewers are able to see appropriate ways in which to deal with adversity and how to pursue your dreams, even when there are people that are not on your side.
While it is not necessarily the primary goal of Frosty Returns to enlighten children on the previously mentioned real-world issues, the story that Goldstick, Brown and Melendez create has depth to it that exceeds anything accomplished in the original film. It possesses depth, but, on the surface, it delivers animation nearly identical to Frosty the Snowman, and it builds on the idea of magic and innocence like the Christmas classic. Frosty Returns ramps up the musical numbers and presents audiences with music that is sure to be stuck in their heads. It is impossible to say that this film surpasses the original, but it does come close to being considered equal, and it allows audiences familiar with the first film to become enveloped in nostalgia.
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