Ice Castles

This is what happens when you make a "remade for tv" film and you leave out the soul. It is just another so-so attempt using b grade actors and c grade acting. Even the skating was just meh. All of the dialogue of the original with none of the heart.

The film is indicative of Hollywood's failure to produce original material, preferring to serve up remake after remake for a buck. Sadly, the story is good enough that had Donald Wrye, who also directed the original was given some decent actors, he may have been able to improve upon the original.

Finally... if you're going to update the soundtrack, make it different enough to notice or use Melissa Manchester's original... or better yet, invite her to record a new version.

So many choices... most of the poor.

What makes a great movie? To me, that question is answered on many levels. The first, most crucial, to me, is does the movie uplift and motivate me to examine parts of my life that may need improvement. Movies and movie roles are captivating if the character has strengths that the audience can examine through one's own personal lens. This movie meets that criteria. It is very touching. I personally loved the cinematography, especially the views of the Iowa landscape and the figure skating. Beautiful makeup and costumes on the star for competition (I was reminded of The Black Swan.) No villains in this story and a very appropriate relationship between the two young sweethearts for a young audience (applause, applause), with the added feature of "something to aspire to," in terms of personal growth and challenge. No inappropriate sexuality. All around a fine movie to enjoy with a young daughter on a weekend.

This did not have the depth of characters, quality of acting, authenticity or pace that the original had. If you have seen the original, don't waste your time on this one. It will only disappoint. If you haven't seen the original, please watch that one instead of this. The Original was a beautiful movie, This one feels like an after school specail. The original is timeless and did not need to be remade. And the changes made in this remake only took away from the elements that really worked in the original and made this one feel rushed and surface. Not much more to say but I'm required 9 more characters to post this. Lol.

Watched this movie last night and was fairly disappointed. You would think that a remake should be better than the original. It lacked the intensity of the original and was quite dry in some parts. The main character "Alexis" played by Taylor Firth was well done, and possibly the only well played character in the whole of the 2010 Ice Castles movie. However Lynn-Holly Johnson from the original is AMAZING in the role of "Alexis" and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in this movie. All I can say is that if you enjoyed this remake, you will absolutely love the 1978 original Ice Castles. Yes it is a little out dated, but it is a wonderful movie and so much better than this one. My friends and I don't usually agree on movies, however we all agree that the 1978 version is sooo much better and we weren't even born when this movie came out. It is also a lot more believable than this 2010 version of Ice Castles. However a warning to parents out there, whilst this is still a great movie for the family, the kissing in the original is quite passionate and the little ones might say "Yuck!". Actually the feeling throughout the whole movie is raw and real. Please, go watch the original, this movie is a shadow of the original.

Who cannot love a character lifting herself out of adversity? These movies uplift the viewer to make more of their own lives and uplift others. That is this movie. The characters are believable. Even the momentary appearance of Michelle Kwon, as a sports newscaster is believable. The father is believable. The boyfriend is believable. Even the coaches are believable. There is not a conniving script line. Good writing, I'd say. Good directing I'd say also. So, if you want an evening of good enjoyment with your sweetie, this is one movie you need to watch. Did I say that this was good casting? Did I mention that there was good acting?