"Don't be the monster they fear you are!" - Hans to Elsa (this is actually great advice coming from a "bad guy")
Initial thoughts before viewing: Frozen was released in theaters in November 2013. I, like most of the adult population at the time, heard all the rave reviews and Frozen -hype brewing around the movie, so I excitedly saw this over Christmas time that same year in theaters. Afterwards, I remember thinking that Frozen was definitely good, but also a bit of a letdown after all the buildup.
If you'd like to read a recap of Frozen, here is a link to the movie's Disney Wiki page where you can read the entire plot summary.
Highlights:
-Elsa is flawed -- actually flawed, in a way that results in real mistakes and real consequences. I find it fascinating that while Frozen was in development at Disney, there were complete versions of the story where Elsa was actually the main antagonist. The film that audiences finally saw was somewhat of a happy accident: when one of the directors heard the anthem "Let It Go" for the first time (the now-forever-torch-song-of-self-acceptance), it inspired her to completely re-think the story and reshape it around sisterly love.
Personality-wise, Elsa is not overly happy, plucky, or optimistic like the princess types before her - she is rooted in fear and shame over who she is. Elsa is a thinker, an introvert, a realist -- a stark contrast to her naïve and often overly-enthusiastic sister Anna. Most significantly, Queen Elsa makes big mistakes (like freezing the heart of her sister, oi), but is allowed to find redemption and healing through the power of love and understanding.
Everyone can interpret Elsa in a unique way and find that the arc of her story applies directly to them. For some, it is about emotional repression; for others, about gender and identity; for others still, about broader social acceptance and depression. Elsa is a character for all.
-Frozen was the blockbuster that finally smashed the notion that "true love" automatically equates to romantic love. It’s important to note here, that the problem (women always presented as objects-to-be-saved – especially princesses) was largely one created by Disney, although they should be given kudos for also being the one to eventually smash the trope. But it is also absurd that in 2013 the idea that women could have agency (and stories) independent of men should have been so culturally significant.
-Prince Hans is not evil. He's an opportunist who got sloppy. First off, I'll start with the obvious: I love how Hans subverts the "Prince Charming" archetype with his sinister nature. While his reveal as the movie's true "villain" is delicious, I see him more as an opportunist than an outright villain. Hans sees an opportunity with Anna to rule Arendelle and he goes for it. Hans gets sloppy though by revealing his true nature to a dying Anna. If he had just kissed Anna, then simply acted baffled as to why this act of true love didn't work to save her, he could have achieved his goal.
-Love them or hate them, the songs of Frozen are catchy as heck. Frozen has all the elements of a Disney classic, and a big part of that are its memorable original songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It's easy to forget how beautiful and revolutionary a song like "Let It Go" is after you've heard it a thousand times, but it became such a mega-sensation for a reason!
Disliked:
-Elsa's parents (RIP) were kinda terrible. "Conceal, don't feel"? Really? That's basically setting your child up to become emotionally stunted, incredibly anxious, and generally unhappy. The king and queen probably had Elsa's best interests at heart—they didn't want her to go through the pain of hurting others. However, the way they went about parenting was just terrible. Surely it would have been better for everyone if he'd let Elsa learn how to control her powers, rather than shutting her away?
-Kristoff and the Trolls. The pushy singing trolls are probably the worst thing about Frozen. Sure, they serve as a handy plot device whenever Elsa's ice magic goes wrong...but otherwise, they're pretty annoying. Plus, their connection with Kristoff is never really explained. We know that they're basically his adoptive family, but nobody ever addresses how or why that happened. A younger Kristoff is even seen ice farming with fellow humans at the start of the movie. When did he leave those people and go and live with the trolls? And why?
Closing Thoughts:
Frozen has a ton of progressive elements that makes it a standout movie. Frozen has not one, but two Disney princesses, and neither of them fits the typical mold; the customary love-at-first-sight royal engagement is ridiculed; the handsome prince is a bad guy; and the finale ditches romance for sisterly devotion. Rescues are at the hands of the spunky, younger princess Anna – something Kristoff accepts without a single grumble.
Frozen was a lightening-rod moment in the zeitgeist. The movie opened to strong early reviews, with several critics comparing the film favorably to the films of the Disney Renaissance, particularly The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.
The bottom line: It's easy to forget how important this movie is because of all the Frozen-hype and oversaturation in the market. Still, Frozen is a memorable and beautifully animated story that keeps the audience engaged because it subverts expected tropes and stereotypes, over and over.
My Rating: 8/10
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