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Saws cut into a frozen lake as ice traders sing about the beauty and danger of ice. The beginning to Disney’s new princess movie “Frozen” couldn’t be more telling — or beautiful.
Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, “The Snow Queen,” “Frozen” tells the story of princess sisters Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Elsa’s magical gift of snow.
After Elsa accidentally hurts her sister with her ice powers while playing as little girls, the king and queen of Arendelle lock the family up in the castle. To protect her sister from her powers, Elsa keeps to herself, mostly in her room, ruining a close relationship the sisters once shared.
All of this changes, of course, when Elsa becomes queen of Arnedelle and her powers are revealed, forcing her to flee into the mountains surrounding Arendelle. After she unintentionally creates an eternal winter, Anna must brave the snow and cold to find her sister and bring summer back to the land.
“Frozen” has great animation and a solid plot line that reminded me a lot of “Tangled.” However it’s the music that really makes “Frozen” stand out.
I think the music in this film is much better than “Tangled.” Don’t get me wrong I loved “Tangled’s” songs (I still tear up when I hear “I See the Light”) but “Frozen’s” opening musical number “Vuelie,” which is mostly chanting, gave me chills and reminded me of the beginning of “The Circle of Life,” the opening for “The Lion King.”
Idina Menzel blows it away with Elsa’s “Let It Go.” The fear Elsa has always felt with her power just melts away as she embraces its beauty and strength. She is no longer the fearful girl hidden away in her room, but a strong young woman who can take care of herself.
Bell definitely holds her own during duets with Menzel and Santino Fontana’s Prince Hans (Listen to “Love is an Open Door.” It’s freaking adorable!). But she’s also great on her own with songs like “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?” and “For the First Time in Forever.”
Don’t worry, this movie isn’t all singing. There are some pretty intense action sequences with wolves, a snow monster and crashing frozen ships.
Jonathan Groff as the tough yet gentle ice trader and Kristoff adds humor to the film along with his moose pal, Sven.
But the biggest comic relief, who I think stole the film, is Josh Gad’s goofy snowman Olaf. Without even trying to be funny, Olaf has the audience cracking up with his well placed lines, out-of-the-blue comments and a deadpan expression while delivering his best quotes (sorry, gonna have to wait to see the film for that line).
The film has a strong Danish design with characters clothing, castle structures and landscapes. If you always wanted to see snow but are stuck in Florida, go see this movie. The attention to detail in the snowflakes and frost are breath taking. The frozen willow branches and snow powder reminded me a lot of winter in Michigan where I used to live. Don’t even get me started on Elsa’s ice castle. If I didn’t get cold all so easily, I would totally live there.
“Frozen” had its typical cheesy Disney moments, but it wouldn’t be a true Disney movie without an act of true love.
I give “Frozen” three out of four snowflakes. Even with some of its corny moments and a quickly wrapped up ending, this movie filled me with a whole range of emotions. I laughed, I cried and I longed to see snow again.
I also give “Frozen” an Oscar nod for Best Animated Film (even though we all know Pixar’s “Monsters University” will win) and a nod to “Let It Go” for Best Original Song (they better have nominated that song).