Frozen is worth the hype!

Rating: 9/10 (18 February 2014)

Frozen, Disney's newest animated brainchild, hit theatres this past holiday season. People "fan girl-ing" over a new Disney movie is not exactly something to raise an eyebrow at but, this time, with Frozen's progressive main characters, storyline and Broadway talent, the commotion is well deserved. Main characters, Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) and Princess Elsa (Idina Menzel) grow up as typical Disney movie kids (singing in perfect pitch as one experiments with magic powers). When Elsa's powers get out of hand, the king and queen lock her up. Elsa is condemned to a life of concealment and shame for her "curse." Years pass until Elsa bravely steps into the spotlight to take the throne. At the coronation, Elsa fails to keep control and her powers are revealed. In embarrassment and fear, Elsa flees the kingdom, leaving Arendell in an eternal winter. Now it is up to Anna to save the kingdom and the ice queen, from herself. Along the way, audiences are introduced to two competing love interests, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Hans (Santino Fontana). Josh Gad brings comedic relief (some of the best Disney has ever had, claim some) with hilarious one liners as Olaf, the bumbling snowman sidekick. Frozen introduces audiences to the front runners of a new generation of Disney Princesses. Elsa and Anna are worlds away from the coy and drowsy female leads of Disney's past. (By drowsy, I'm talking Snow White and Aurora neither of whom could even stay awake for their entire film!) The ladies of Frozen have broken the mold with their unapologetic strength, courage, common sense, and awkwardly likable sense of humor. During her time alone in the mountains Elsa exclaims "Yes I'm alone! But I'm alone and free!" showing that being able to be her true self and loving herself is what is truly important to her. Anna strays from the poised, passive, even pathetic princess archetype. She is raw and real. She trips a few times, cracks some awkward jokes even stuffs her face with chocolate. She reaches role model potential when, without hesitation, she sets off to find her sister on her own and immediately declines Hans's offer to go with her. The men have progressed as well. Anna is the heroine of the tale but her sidekick is Kristoff, a man. Even better yet, he is not threatened by this at all. Writers even went as far as to poke fun at the ridiculous "love at first sight" theme that is prevalent in most of Disney's "princess movies." There are multiple points in the film when Anna is criticized for getting engaged to Hans, a man she just met.
Per Disney tradition the folks of Arendell are all musically inclined, believe it or not every single one of them graced the Broadway stage. Bell's performance came as the biggest surprise. Her tone is sweet and innocent but still strong and convincing. She breathes life into the character and makes Anna a proper role model for young girls. Bell is able to hold her own alongside Broadway big wig and Tony Award winner Menzel, who did not disappoint. The movie's anthem "Let It Go" was actually written for Menzel to showcase her extensive vocal range. With its deep, poignant lyrics and flawless execution, it is no wonder that "Let It Go" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Frozen is a breath of fresh air, a perfect movie for the kids and the kids at heart of today. It has taken the world by storm, snow storm that is.