Over the past decade, movie-goers have connected with the characters from Pixar films, fallen in love with Merida and Tiana, and enjoyed the tales that will last a lifetime. Audiences have even learned a song or two that will stick with them for a while, but something…has been missing. That something was the memorable soundtrack from start to finish and the beauty of a Disney animated musical.
That has been found…in “Frozen.”
Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) are princess sisters living it up in a kingdom in the Scandinavian province of Arendelle. They are the best of friends and so similar, but Elsa has something slightly different about her that her sister Anna does not. Elsa has the powers to manipulate the cold, ice, and snow.
Anna may not have the powers, but she enjoys them with her sister until Elsa one day hits Anna with her ice powers. This causes an injury that only the Troll King can heal Anna from, but it must also erase the memories of Elsa’s powers to Anna. This forces a rift and distance between the sisters for years. Elsa can’t bare the thought of hurting her sister so she holes up in her room and Anna just can’t understand what happened to her best friend.
As they grow older, Elsa is to take the throne and become queen of Arendelle at a big coronation where a prince named Hans (Santino Fontana) woos Anna and asks for her hand in marriage just hours after meeting her. This doesn’t sit well with Elsa, who ends up exposing her powers and having to retreat to the North Mountain so she can be free.
Little does she realize that she left Arendells in an eternal winter upon her departure.
Anna realizes she must find her sister and help her so she sets out for North Mountain. Along the way, she is helped by an iceman named Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and his trusty reindeer, Sven. Let’s not forget the lovable – and hilarious – snowman Olaf (Josh Gad) who knows the way to Elsa.
Together they must all find Elsa so that the spell of eternal winter can be reversed.
“Frozen” is a wonderful tale that brings romance (thanks to Hans and Kristoff) and comedy (thanks to Olaf and Sven), but the story is truly about the struggles and bond between sisters Anna and Elsa.
Elsa fights to embrace her power and learn how to be free so that she can live her life but not hurt anyone along the way. Anna wants to be free and be loved and enjoy a life that involves her sister the way it did when they were little. Together, they must learn how to understand one another and show the love they have inside.
There is a fantastic story that is told in “Frozen,” but you aren’t slapped in the face with it. That is due to the sub-plot of Hans’ relationship with Anna, Kristoff’s journey with Anna, and Olaf’s dream to know what it’s like in the summer.
Let’s look at the film itself though.
“Frozen” is by far one of the most beautiful animated films that Disney has released in a long time, and it’s so great to see. The Disney traditionalist in myself loved that it was an old-school animated film that would make you feel as if you’re in the heyday of Disney Animation.
You’re going to watch in awe at the beauty that spills onscreen from “Frozen,” and you need to watch it in 3D. Don’t worry, you won’t get things constantly shooting toward your eyes, but you will get amazing depth and visuals like you can’t possibly imagine.
Now…the big finale.
“Frozen” is a true Disney animated musical. It has already been compared to “Beauty and the Beast,” and that is not far off. Songs are commonplace in the film and they are not just plentiful, but they’re memorable and sung perfectly.
Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell beautifully make Elsa and Anna come to life in every single way possible, and you will feel the chills – pardon the pun – from “Frozen” in full form. The songs are going to stick with you, and all of them – except maybe “Love Is An Open Door” – will have you singing and humming to yourself for weeks.
Note to yourself…when Elsa (Menzel) begins singing “Let It Go”…just sit back, relax, and enjoy.
“Frozen” is a Disney musical in its finest form and an instant classic that isn’t just great for this holiday season, but for any time of the year. If you’re a Disney animation fan, then you’re going to want to see this. If you are the casual Disney fan, you’re going to want to see this. If you are not a fan of Disney at all? Well…then…you’re going to want to see this.
Here is the best Disney musical to be released in years and even decades and one that the company should build on and move forward with. “Frozen” is going to warm your heart, make you think, have you laughing, and have you wanting to see it again and again.
I’m happy to read (or skim) a positive review for a new Disney animated feature, and to learn it returns more to the Disney musical roots. I’ll come back and read more thoroughly after I see it for myself.
I do wish that in addition to computer animated features, they’d keep on keeping on with hand drawn. There can be magic still in this art form.