The film at least has the honesty not to pretend it's anything else than a light romantic story and doesn't try to dress up the scientific aspect of freezing Mel into an actual possibility or go overboard on minute details of a test pilot's life but rather gets on with the romantic and father/son buddy relationships to good effect. Another somewhat refreshing aspect was that there was no attempt to "sex" up the film with gratuitous nudity (apart from Mel's bum that it) or over the top kissing and snogging.

One other good reason to watch the film is to see Elijah Wood of Frodo - Lord of the Rings fame, as an up and coming child star.


Romantic comedy with a huge twist   June 27, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Mel Gibson plays a test/stunt pilot back in the 50's. He's in love but is afraid to propose to his girlfriend. Before he can get up the nerve to pop the question, she is hit by a car and left comatose. He doesn't expect her to survive and cannot bear to watch her wither away. Gibson's friend, George Wendt, is a semi-crackpot but lovable inventor who is working on cryogenic freezing of animals and, eventually, people. Gibson talks Wendt into freezing him so that he does not have to witness his girlfriend's lingering death. Wendt agrees, but then dies after freezing Gibson. Wendt's contraption, which was developed under a military grant, gets stored in a warehouse and forgotten - with frozen Gibson inside. Fifty years go by, and then Gibson is accidentally awakened.

The comedy focuses on Gibson running into instance after instance of encountering technology that he doesn't recognize, as well as fitting his 50's style of interacting into the 90's. I won't tell you the romantic plot, as that would give away too much.

Gibson plays the part well, as does Jamie Lee Curtis (the mom of the kid who unfreezes Gibson). Elijah Wood does a good job of playing the wide-eyed and likable kid. This is light comedy, with one deeper story-line, and it is done very well. Very enjoyable.


An Emotional Success!   February 16, 2002
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

A 1930's pilot (Mel Gibson) finds himself emotionally lost when his wife is knocked over by a car and is stuck in a coma. He agrees to be involved in one of his friends experiments. So he gets frozen in time.
60 years later, a young boy named Nat Cooper (Elijah Wood) and his friend find his frozen body in an old army store room, and the pilot awakes. So Nat and his mum soon befriend him. But as he tries to find his old friend for help him about the experiment, time soon runs out leading to shocking and emotional consequences, with a happy ending.
I think Mel suits this part, and Elijah's performance is SUPERB! I highly recommend this film, as it is a romance/drama with a little bit of suspense involved. People who tend to get abit teary during these type of films, may want a box of tissues next to them.


A heartwarming tale of loves lost.   November 21, 2000
 6 out of 8 found this review helpful

If your a fan of Mel Gibson, and love stories then this really is a must have for any DVD collection. Its appeals to all age groups coupling humour with sadness in a most unique and awe inspiring way. You are garunteed to be glued to your seat when you watch this one with its nostalgic high speed aeroplane chase that is sure to set your pulse racing. It may not be Top Gun, but never the less it sure to remain a firm family favourite for everybody. Order your film now have the popcorn on standbye and get ready to enjoy the rollercoaster that is forever young. I guarantee you will not be dissappointed.