Ice Castles (2010) User Reviews

Family goodness

[jacques_vanzyl · 7/10 · 23 March 2010]

This movie really surprised me. I never saw the original version and maybe that helped met to enjoy the remake even more. It was good and entertaining family fun that had me choke up at the end, my wife replay the final scene and my three year old daughter clapping and cheering Lexi on in the final competition scene.

The build up was nicely done with a lot of ice skating to enjoy. And beautiful choreography. Here in South Africa we don't see as much ice skating as in the northern hemisphere countries, so it was all new and exciting.

A lot of human emotion was nicely portrayed: innocent love, love broken due to communication failure, love for the sport, the fast lane breaking innocence down, true love prevailing and perseverance rewarding. I like that the kind side of people can still be the dominant factor in a movie and this is what we need to see more! This is one for the collection for sure!

Skating Beauty or Beast

[martakutyr · 7/10 · 5 January 2019]

As part of the generation of the original, and not a fan of remakes or reboots, I was surprised at the beauty the film offered, both cinematically and the athletics. I was impressed by Taylor Firth's first film performance, but wish they hadn't reduced the part of her father and aunt, as they were key figures in her backstory. She managed to carry the film anyway, despite my desire to see the Holly-Johnson cameo. The best touch here was preserving the music from the original.

Skip this Movie and Watch the Original.

[sunlightsix · 5/10 · 8 March 2024]

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.

Not as good as the Original, but not that bad either

[ichocolat · 13 April 2010]

Ice Castle is a remake of a film with the same title. And no point for guessing, the storyline is the same, too.

And the thing about trying to remake film is that, it will always be overshadowed with the original film.

And this film was indeed overshadowed by the original. Same storyline, down to bits of the dialogues! The film started slow, it dragged, and only three quarter through the film did something happened to the lead actress. And you did not have the time to sympathize with her, because the film quickly ended when we were shown that the girl has gained her confidence, albeit her injuries, to be crowned the champ in ice skating ! Not a film after all, but since this film followed the original to the bits, with no diversion of the original, this film is destined to fail in the cinemas.

SKATE AS FAST AS YOU CAN BUT WATCH OUT FOR THE...!

[masonfisk · 6/10 · 13 July 2020]

An ice skating romance from 1978 starring Lynn-Holly Johnson (in her film debut) & Robby Benson. Johnson is the toast of this small town as her skating prowess begs that she compete which she does wowing the crowd at the regionals & gaining the attention of a high profile instructor. Her hometown coach, played by Colleen Dewhurst, & her dad, Tom Skerritt, both push her towards that direction when she seems reluctant which reaps big rewards (in terms of attention since her new coach has enlisted the help of a newsman to do a series of profiles on her) as she unnerves the reigning champion on the ice. However when things are going her way, a freak accident (she trips over some cables while skating at night causing her to sustain a concussion which causes partial blindness) which sends her home in a funk ready to give up everything but when Benson reenters the picture (he's going through his own sports pains as he tries to get a hockey career going), he pushes her to forego her sight impediment to show the world she still has the goods. Not aging particularly well, this variation on the Rocky formula suffers from plot conventions which even when this film was made was feeling a bit long in the tooth w/every authority figure taking their turns to berate poor Johnson whenever her eyes would well up after a disappointment. Johnson, who did her own skating (a talent used again in the James Bond adventure For Your Eyes Only from 1981), is good for the type of role she's playing but one feels she's merely playing the colors of a part which are of the 'paint by numbers' variety. Benson is his usual wide eyed, innocent self (he was quite the movie star during the 70's & early 80's but most people will know him as the voice of Beast from Disney's Beauty & the Beast animated feature) who does what he can in a role which in retrospect feels specious & undetermined. This film would get a remake in 2010.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHY CLASSICS SHOULDN'T BE REMADE.

[dshepherd47 · 4/10 · 16 February 2020]

Donald Wrye should have left his classic well enough alone. His remake lacks the deep emotional feelings and quality acting of the original. This is Taylor Firth's first attempt at acting in a movie and, although she makes a noble effort, it shows. However, her skating is top-notch and a joy to watch. The rest of the cast come across as somewhat boring and their acting is mediocre at best. Ice Castles 2010 has mostly uninspiring background music and mundane camera shots. For instance, the original peppered Lexie's skating scenes with interesting ice level camera shots but were left out of this remake. It's a shame this was Donald Wrye's last movie before his death because his films are usually very good.

Not Bad for Late Night TV

[n_odle · 8/10 · 27 February 2012]

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.

After school special meets the William Shatner school of acting

[Iluvcleanfunnymovies · 1/10 · 31 December 2018]

This movie had such great potential! They ruined it with fake drama, fake relationships, fake emotions. No one behaves like that! It's as if aliens put the movie together by copying the worst B movies ever made "oh, this is how people act". It's insulting! Watch the original! That one is enjoyable and won't hurt your eyes.

looks and feels magical

[najwa-sky-limit · 9/10 · 3 August 2013]

i didn't see the original and am glad for that because this remake although little known with no big names is all i need in a movie, it's now on my top favorite movies list though I've never heard of it before and i just watched it on TV, it's a small low budget indie with a big heart, it took me back to the time of innocence and purity with no worries in mind but having fun and appreciating love and life, it touched my heart in a way no other movie ever did before and i watch a lot of movies, this film has an ethereal vibe to it and i don't know why, is it because of the setting, the music-which is beautiful- , the arc of the story, or the actors? i know one thing for sure, it reminded me to go out and enjoy the wonders of life and nature and do everything with love, such a beautiful movie with great messages and reminders, and i also felt it wasn't made for certain reasons like money or fame, it was a labor of love for life and innocence and purity. i also enjoyed the lead actress' performance Tyler firth such an incredible young actress so convincing and so pure. the movie is visually stunning and the music*i know I've said it before*but it really is amazing and brilliantly used to fit every scene and it's a crucial part of the story it doesn't feel forced. that sunset is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen but her line is more enchanting

PS. am not a winter person, in fact i hate winter but this movie made me miss it, the smells, the sounds, the views, everything about winter looks breathtaking in this film

A shadow of the original movie!

[gi_jazz · 3/10 · 6 April 2010]

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.

Great story but poor delivery

[michael-84774 · 2/10 · 30 November 2019]

The vulnerability of an audience is subject to, not only the theme of a film, but it's delivery, and this is one of those supreme examples where an attractive theme of underdog comeback is shattered by a cast of terrible chemistry and inconsistent acting styles, an average soundtrack that offers little improvement to an old Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, and weighed down with the anchor of mediocre story planning.

Whilst an audience does find itself drawn to the incredible almost impossible story of a young lady finding her way back to figure skating glory despite a newly developed and poorly explained blindness, the performance of all is unconvincing, partially due to incapable acting ability but also due to a range of styles of each actor - some looking like soap stars with others little more than a high school drama.

The story is essentially sheer boredom until the key problem, which so often is usually identified no later than the midpoint of a film, is made apparent with only the final third of the film left, and 15 minutes to explain a miraculous comeback culminating in a poorly appreciated climax before the credits.

This critic was, despite his efforts and positivity, unable to find anything good about the film.

Who cannot love a lifting above and overcoming adversity?

[wmwood · 8/10 · 29 January 2011]

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?

Ice Castles 2010

[torrentstorm · 4/10 · 4 March 2010]

There have been a couple or more of similar movies and themes in the past, haven't there? When was it I saw a similar version, 1978, 1988? The figure-skating heroine trains for the sectional figure-skating competitions, suffers a fall that somehow blinds her, but with the encouragement of her loving father, and particularly the help and coaching of her by then estranged boyfriend, decides to make a comeback, and without revealing her impediment to anyone, decides to continue her competition until the national championship.

Some decent acting here, particularly from the girl Taylor Firth as Lexi, with some nice moves in the skating rink. Nothing we haven't seen before, of course. The rest of the acting/actors varied between lame - boring. I actually was dozing off in a couple of places. Had to get up and get one of the ice-cream sandwiches I had in the fridge to keep from falling asleep.

I'm not saying the movie was bad. No. I mean, if you're looking for one of those family movies, old Walt Disney style, nothing spectacular, just hum-drum, OK, then here's your ticket. But we critics know that one of the main strengths of any movie is the story, and not just 'the story', but the way it is played out, the drama, if you will.

In this respect, I cannot say Ice Castles delivers. It was over an hour past into the movie, and we're still waiting for something to happen. Then the girl falls, not very convincingly either, and that leaves the remaining 25 minutes of the movie to play out her depression, stage her comeback with her boyfriend's help, practice and prepare for the finals, and perform her skating competition.

Not much drama here, no heart-rending moments, no real emotion ....I mean, after all, the girl is almost blind and decides to compete against all odds? I would imagine quite a challenge, right? Didn't see much of anything here.

However, if you're a fan of ice skating movies, well then you might love this one. Nice for one of those rainy afternoons when there is nothing else to do.

This film speaks to your soul but is unrealistic

[sheldonlinda · 8/10 · 13 December 2019]

1:03 p.m. The 2010 "Ice Castles" just started on 20.3. I don't know why that movie speaks to my soul so much. It might be the music. I'm not sure. The visuals of the skating are amazing. The number in the reddish pinkish outfit in the middle though was kind of weird, but the blue outfit that I think she is shown doing twice was so strikingly beautiful! The opening sequence was also beautiful and fun to watch.

I was going to "Friend" the main girl - Taylor Firth - but I was worried that she would think that I was weird - a middle age woman having a total girl crush on her. In real life she took 1st and 4th at Eastern Sectionals, in different years and then those years went to Nationals placing in about the middle - I think 13th and 14th or 14th and 15th or something like that. They chose her for the film for her personality and expressions. Michelle Kwan even mentions that at the end in regards to her character.

It is unrealistic though that the character in the beginning would be that good - even just naturally good - without ever having had any formal training, or having entered any previous competitions. The other reviewers don't like the relationship conflict and how it was handled. Yeah I don't know. I know why you need to have conflict in a film, but I never like it.

It is unrealistic that the competition is presented with just music and not the distraction of commentary, and with with the lights down and just a spotlight which is only done for expositions and never competitions. Much more beautiful that way, but still.

You can You Tube the actress doing the ending number in a different outfit for a real audience in an exposition with her real skating club in NY. That is fun to see. You can also You Tube her doing other competitions.

Every time I see this film I want to run across town to my local ice rink and try to stand up at least or circle the rink on skates wishing that that when I was younger I had learned some of the special moves and tricks. I still haven't made it yet however.

Some like the original 1978 (1979?) film better, but I prefer this one. Maybe the acting of the other one is better or the depth is better, bu this one doesn't have the racy edge, and this one is much more beautifully presented - the outfit is definitely a lot prettier - smile.

terrible remake (of course!)

[valid908 · 1/10 · 14 February 2011]

if you've loved the original you're sure to hate the remake. i don't know why Hollywood wants to make remakes such as this because it's obviously never going to live up to the original.

the original is a lot more racey and real but it's got heart and soul and the remake has nothing. it's just a carbon wannabee copy that doesn't even come close!

the acting and especially chemistry is so stale - that you just want to walk away and go to the kitchen and get food or do something else. i'm a figure skater and i know the passion of real skating and this doesn't even come close!

stop Hollywood trying to do these remakes and hire writers like me that create new and original material that won't compare to it's former glory!

don't waste your time

[dolcegabbana91 · 1/10 · 3 March 2011]

its terrible. no wonder it went straight to video. its a really bad. just don't. acting BAD, settings BAD, cinematography BAD. i rented it thinking it would be like the original 1978 but i was wrong in so many levels. i don't know why people cant do things right. they should have watched the first one first before making this one. the acting, awful. that girl playing Lexie, terrible. the boyfriend, terrible. those snotty girls in the competitions, terrible. don't wast your time. i sat down to watch this movie in hopes that it was good. i was wrong. i loved the original, i have it on DVD. i was hoping someone would come up with an updated version, maybe played by Scarlett Johanssen, but i was wrong.

Emotional and great skating movie

[annbss · 10/10 · 10 November 2018]

Ice castles is a great remake of the original one. The cast was fabulous, especially Lexi. It was very emotional to watch and the movie has great soundtrack and music. Britt Nicole is a great singer. I really appreciate how the movie begins and ends. Worth watching and nice skating film i've ever watched. Highly recommend.

Nice Try, But....

[aiqzc · 3/10 · 30 January 2022]

This remake just does not have the heart of the original. The place where it is suffers most by comparison is Taylor Firth vs. Lynn Holly Johnson in the lead role of Lexie Winston. Sorry, but it's not even close. Johnson played the role with a sense of innocence and naive charm that is just not present here. Her version of Lexie was a confused, scared young girl that was being used and manipulated by those around her. She was finally pushed beyond her limits and rebelled against the power structure mapping out her career and skated in public without permission of her coach, which led to her downfall. . Firth plays the role like an ambitious brat who is fully on board with everything going on around her and does her best to speed the process along. She just happens to make a mistake that gets her hurt while waiting to conquer the next part of the skating worlds. . That aspect performs the double whammy of taking away the element of sympathy for her when things become difficult and diffusing the sense of joy when she triumphs at the end. Also in the original, each main character in the film: Lexie, Nick, her Dad, and both of Lexies coaches identified abs worked to fix serious personal flaws through the screen play. Mr Winston let his daughter go in the real world, Beulah came to terms with ending her skating career at sectionals , the sports reporter who seduces Lexie refused ti break her story that she was still blind, and Nick found his lifetime commitment in his love for Lexie. And Lexie, she put her mothers memory aside and skated her program for herself. I saw no such forgiveness in the new cast that all seemed to just think Lexie was a spoiled brat.

Second best saves the day....

[Rodneyrea69 · 1/10 · 20 March 2019]

She leaves her boyfriend for another guy not communication issues!....Becasuse she thinks she has found more suitable one for herself and this is love, isn't it?...She broke up with his boyfriend on the phone ruthlessly....Because she stars flirting and spending time with other guy....If you love someone, you don't leave him because of "distance" or "communication failure"...The more she becomes famous, the more she ignores her boyfriend. When she goes blind, she takes the spare tyre (her ex boyfriend) again...And we are supposed to believe she loves him...Come on...

Watch the original instead

[parsonwilks · 4/10 · 21 April 2024]

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.