Ice Princess (2005)

Great watch, will watch again, and can recommend.

I've been a big Michelle Trachtenberg fan since "Harriett the Spy", and I'm a nerd for science so mixing the two together makes a minimal good watch for me: it would have been hard for them to ruin this for me.

The premise feels weak as it's a "coming of age" story with a focus in the physics of figurine skating, but the execution is wonderful. Kim Cattrall, Hayden Panettiere and the other skaters all embody the insanity of the ice skating culture and establish the world that Michelle Tratchenburg and Joan Cusack's characters are forced to deal with.

In the end it becomes a story of passions (clearly stated in the movie) and really feels uplifting and inspiring despite the absurdity of the situations.

I know that when I throw this on, I'm going to enjoy a movie.

'Ice Princess' is good. Nothing more, nothing less.

There are enjoyable performances from Michelle Trachtenberg (Casey), Hayden Panettiere (Gen), Kim Cattrall (Tina) and Joan Cusack (Joan - creative!). Even if the latter two's characters are irritating at times, but that is intentional to be fair. There's also an appearance for Erik King, which I guess you could say was a "Surprise!" ...

Props are in order for Christophe Beck, who I thought did a top job with the music - all of which suited events very well. The premise, which entails figure skating, is entertaining enough to see unfold. It's nothing special, but is certainly a harmless and fine production from 2005.

Ice Princess is a fun, lighthearted movie with a simple but engaging plot. It follows a classic underdog story, making it easy to root for the main character. While the storyline isn’t groundbreaking, it works well for a family-friendly film, keeping things straightforward without unnecessary drama. The directing is solid, balancing the emotional moments with the sports aspects, and the pacing keeps things moving without dragging. The cinematography captures the elegance of figure skating, making the performances visually appealing, even if some scenes feel a bit predictable.

Michelle Trachtenberg delivers a strong performance, carrying the movie with ease. She makes the character relatable, and her acting adds depth to the story. The supporting cast does a good job as well, though no one really steals the spotlight from her. The script is decent, with natural dialogue that fits the tone of the film. The music and sound design complement the skating sequences, adding energy where needed. Overall, it is an enjoyable and well-put-together movie that makes for a great watch, especially for a casual family night. Michelle Trachtenberg's presence, both on and off screen, was exceptional. She will be deeply missed.