I have little criticism for this movie. It's plot, theme, characters, and actors were amazing. This movie seems like it's going to be sad, but it actually has a better happy ending.
The main character is Billy, a really sweet 10 year old boy. Due to his father lying to him in the past, Billy thinks he's dying. (Some father. If I have to criticize anything in this movie, it would be him.) Billy has 2 friends, Lucas (who he deems a coward because he doesn't like to do anything dangerous) and Howard (his new Jamaican neighbor. After the boys discover a dead body, they want to honor him by getting in the book of world records for building the most snowmen. One huge obstacle is school bully Jason. He is bigger and older than the other kids because he was held back, as Billy loves to point out. Jason appears to be a very evil bully, who specifically targets Billy and his friends. He hangs out at Kill Hill with the other bullies. When the day comes to build the snowmen, Billy and his friends must take snow from Kill Hill, causing a war between them and the bullies, where many snowmen are destroyed. Lucas doesn't think this is a good idea, but does it for Billy, even though Billy has repeatedly called him a coward. (Another small bit of criticism). Lucas gets a berating from Jason. Jason is soon humiliated in front of the entire school and even Billy feels bad for him. After he learns he isn't dying, Billy runs away to where he found the dead body. His friends follow him. Jason shows up to continue his fight with Lucas. Billy begs Jason to fight him instead. He sincerely apologizes for everything he's done: making fun of him for being held back and destroying Kill Hill. It is then revealed that Jason's bullying may not be so one-sided. Jason was always jealous of Billy and his friends and felt like an outcast himself. While he believes in the sincerity of Billy's apology, he still wants to beat him up. Right when he's about to punch Billy, the ice breaks below Jason and he nearly falls in. Billy saves Jason's life then falls in himself. It is then that Jason realizes what a good person Billy is and tries unsuccessfully to save him. It is then that Billy dies (only temporarily). He later wakes up in the hospital and everything is back to normal.
Everyone gets the happy ending they deserve. Billy learns he's not dying and still makes it into the book of world records. It is learned that the dead man has a family. Jason is accepted into the group of friends and stops bullying. Lucas shows bravery. Howard becomes a better skater.
This is a wonderful movie for both kids and adults. Other than a few character flaws, I find this movie nearly perfect.
The main character is Billy, a really sweet 10 year old boy. Due to his father lying to him in the past, Billy thinks he's dying. (Some father. If I have to criticize anything in this movie, it would be him.) Billy has 2 friends, Lucas (who he deems a coward because he doesn't like to do anything dangerous) and Howard (his new Jamaican neighbor. After the boys discover a dead body, they want to honor him by getting in the book of world records for building the most snowmen. One huge obstacle is school bully Jason. He is bigger and older than the other kids because he was held back, as Billy loves to point out. Jason appears to be a very evil bully, who specifically targets Billy and his friends. He hangs out at Kill Hill with the other bullies. When the day comes to build the snowmen, Billy and his friends must take snow from Kill Hill, causing a war between them and the bullies, where many snowmen are destroyed. Lucas doesn't think this is a good idea, but does it for Billy, even though Billy has repeatedly called him a coward. (Another small bit of criticism). Lucas gets a berating from Jason. Jason is soon humiliated in front of the entire school and even Billy feels bad for him. After he learns he isn't dying, Billy runs away to where he found the dead body. His friends follow him. Jason shows up to continue his fight with Lucas. Billy begs Jason to fight him instead. He sincerely apologizes for everything he's done: making fun of him for being held back and destroying Kill Hill. It is then revealed that Jason's bullying may not be so one-sided. Jason was always jealous of Billy and his friends and felt like an outcast himself. While he believes in the sincerity of Billy's apology, he still wants to beat him up. Right when he's about to punch Billy, the ice breaks below Jason and he nearly falls in. Billy saves Jason's life then falls in himself. It is then that Jason realizes what a good person Billy is and tries unsuccessfully to save him. It is then that Billy dies (only temporarily). He later wakes up in the hospital and everything is back to normal.
Everyone gets the happy ending they deserve. Billy learns he's not dying and still makes it into the book of world records. It is learned that the dead man has a family. Jason is accepted into the group of friends and stops bullying. Lucas shows bravery. Howard becomes a better skater.
This is a wonderful movie for both kids and adults. Other than a few character flaws, I find this movie nearly perfect.