Watch RiffTrax: Jack Frost

RiffTrax: Jack Frost is a comedy film that shines with the idiosyncratic humor of Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy, the team famously known for their work on the cult television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). Released in 2017, RiffTrax: Jack Frost continues their legacy of providing humorous running commentary over films, poking fun at various aspects of the movies they cover. In this case, RiffTrax sets its sights on "Jack Frost," not to be confused with the family-friendly Hollywood film of the same name starring Michael Keaton, but a lesser-known 1964 Soviet Union fantasy movie that was adapted into English and released in the United States under various titles, such as "Father Frost," "The Crystal Star," and "Morozko."

The original "Jack Frost" film is a whimsical fairy tale that follows the story of Nastenka, a kind and humble peasant girl, and Ivan, a headstrong young man. The narrative is filled with typical fairytale tropes, featuring characters like an evil stepmother, a heroic protagonist, magic, and mystical creatures, all within a picturesque, fantastical setting. Jack Frost himself is a fatherly, magical being who controls winter and plays a central role in the unfolding adventures and romance between Nastenka and Ivan.

RiffTrax: Jack Frost exploits the quirks and oddities of this peculiar, culturally unique fairy tale with their trademark dry wit and sardonic commentaries. Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy offer their hilarious insights into the often-dated special effects, the strange, inconsistent plot points, and the at times bizarre characterizations that make the original film an unintentionally comical gem ripe for their comedic treatment.

The RiffTrax team, much like they did in MST3K, situate themselves as silhouetted audience members at the bottom of the screen, their outlines visible against the film playing behind them. The trio riff on everything from the film's dialogue and performances to its antiquated effects, using pop culture references, puns, and sarcastic asides to transform the film-watching experience into a laugh-out-loud event.

A key element to the delight of watching RiffTrax: Jack Frost is the chemistry between the three commentators. Having worked together for years on MST3K, Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy possess a seamless comedic timing that allows them to bounce jokes off each other in a way that feels both spontaneous and thoughtfully crafted. Their ability to highlight the absurd within the mundane or the strange within the familiar is a demonstration of their finely honed observational comedy skills.

One of the most engaging aspects of RiffTrax is how it fundamentally alters the film-watching experience for the audience. Instead of being a passive viewer of an obscure fairytale film, the audience is invited to revel in the camaraderie and humor of the RiffTrax team, who act as guides through the film's oddity and campiness. The audience becomes part of an in-joke, sharing in the laughing critique of the film's many eccentricities.

While the original Jack Frost may not be well-known to the majority of Western audiences, it presents the perfect canvas for RiffTrax's humor. The film's foreign origins and dated storytelling techniques allow for a wealth of comedic material. It also offers a nostalgic charm that can be appreciated both genuinely and ironically, depending on whether the viewer is more taken with the film's story or the RiffTrax commentary.

Fans of RiffTrax and MST3K will undoubtedly adore RiffTrax: Jack Frost for its continuation of the group's legacy of lampooning zany movies in a loving, though scathing, manner. Even those unfamiliar with the RiffTrax brand may find themselves chuckling at the absurdities brought to light, as the commentary helps to bridge cultural gaps and bring out the universal humor found in storytelling tropes and cinematic clichés.

The film is more than just a reinforced mock session; it is a celebration of cinema’s oddball entries and a tribute to the joy of watching movies with friends. It encapsulates RiffTrax's core ethos: that any film, no matter how serious, outdated, or bizarre, can be a source of immense joy when viewed through a lens of witty repartee and shared mockery.

RiffTrax: Jack Frost serves as both a standalone comedy experience and as part of the RiffTrax series, providing ample laughs and demonstrating that with the right commentary, even the most obscure or outdated film can become a memorable, entertaining event.

RiffTrax: Jack Frost is a comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.