Best Disney animation since Tangled

Rating: 8/10 (2 December 2013)

I was so impressed by this movie! It was visually stunning but thankfully this time the gorgeous graphics were accompanied by a great cast, great songs and a clever, amusing script.
The story follows two sisters, Elsa and Anna. Elsa, who possesses a little magic, accidentally injures her sister during a game and the rest of the movie is the consequence of Elsa being told by trolls to fear her gift and keep herself away from everyone else in case she hurts them.
I really enjoyed that this movie didn't follow the usual princess/true love's kiss pattern. Yes there is true love but of a different kind, which was fabulous to see. Some people are commenting on the lack of chemistry/true love between Anna and Kristoff and I agree, but I didn't mind that as the story isn't really about romantic love, and with their first, tentative kiss right at the end I think that this was just the beginning of their story if they're meant to have one! Otherwise the movie is all about love and what that means to different people, whether it's a romantic crush, love for a pet/companion or keeping someone safe, sharing your problems or simply understanding and being there for each other.
I also loved that this was such a talented cast (with a LOT of Broadway experience) and that some of the songs sounded exactly like you would expect to hear in a stage musical. The cast was perfectly suited to the songs: 'Let It Go' was simply stunning both visually and musically, and Idina Menzel's vocal range is just extraordinary, although I was a bit disappointed that Jonathan Groff was so underused. The guy can sing so why didn't he? Aside from that, the songs were brilliant, clever and catchy with a few ambiguous lyrics to amuse the adults. Then come the light relief characters, Sven the Reindeer-cross-puppy and Olaf the snowman, who were adorable and funny.
As for baddies, I liked the red herring and twist! Again some comments address whether the baddie was evil enough. I personally liked that Frozen explores varying degrees of badness in contrast to the types of love, although nothing *very* bad happens. Peril is pretty mild, yet I found the whole thing very gripping, moving and, often, very sad. I felt so sorry for both sisters for much of the film, but happily it all turns out well in the end!
Now, I do have a few niggles which stopped me giving it 10 stars. Partly that Groff never sings, but also plot issues. The trolls play a strange little part in the story which is discussed extensively in a few threads. But basically a lot of the problems in the film are essentially their fault! It's as simple as ignoring advice from a magic talking rock and none of the problems and sadness needed to happen! Listen to their lines and lyrics and you get a hint that maybe these cute little rock creatures aren't as benevolent as they appear (plus they're manipulative and hypocritical). But they aren't the official baddies so what exactly is their purpose? Might need to watch it again just to study the trolls (any excuse!!) and figure out why they have such influence.
You also never find out how Elsa manages to control her powers at the end, or how Olaf came to life in the first place, or what happened to Kristoff's parents that the trolls took him in (love the kidnapping theories on here!)... Minor, but niggles nonetheless.
Overall though, I totally loved this movie! I would definitely watch it again, and recommend it to big and small kids alike. Also, hang around for the end credits! As a last word, I haven't seen a packed auditorium applaud at the end since Toy Story 3, but they did for this. Watch it, you won't regret it.