Unfrosted Movie Review: A sweet origins film which borders on the saccharine

Unfrosted opens with Jerry Seinfeld’s character, Bob Cabana, as he tells a young boy the fantastical tale of how Pop-Tarts were invented. We then warp back to the 1960s, a time when breakfast belonged solely to Kellogg’s and Post, locked as they are in a comical rivalry. This high-stakes competition pushes both companies to create the next breakfast revolution, resulting in the birth of the iconic Pop-Tart – and its lesser-known competitor, Post’s Country Squares.

Unfrosted is a heavily fictional reimagining of how the Pop-Tarts were invented. It is so fictional that the film even teases that one of the experiments led to the birth of a sea-monkey (brine shrimp) ravioli-like creature. Seinfeld throws in a ton of wacky historical cameos, taking some creative liberties with the past for laughs. At a point, the film teases that people like Jack LaLane, professional fitness coach, Steve Schwinn, founder of the Schwinn bicycle company, and Tom Carvel, who invented soft ice cream, were brought together to make the Pop-Tarts.In a lighter moment, McCarthy’s Donna suggests that even Albert Einstein could have been involved in the invention, if not for his passing. Seinfeld’s playful use of historical figures and his signature humour bring some hilarious punches. However, some political references and character cameos might fly over the heads of those unfamiliar with American history. The head-scratching could get in the way of the comedy.