Wonderful and somewhat subversive Disney movie

Rating: 8/10 (17 March 2014)

It's easy to get caught up in the toying with classic Disney tropes and strong female characters, but before I talk about that, I just want to point out that this is an incredibly entertaining movie. The animation is terrific (such as the creation of the ice castle), the characters are interesting, and the movie does a good job of balancing some very serious themes with some really funny moments, particularly those involving a hilarious snowman.
Having said that, the most striking thing about the movie is the way in which its creators purposely play with classic Snow-White concepts like True Love and Prince Charming, and even play with lesser animated stock concepts like talking animals (one human likes to give voice to his pet).
For decades, Disney essentially gold little girls to be nice and sweet and complacent and eventually a nice man would come and save them from the evil in their lives (often represented by strong women).
As society has changed, Disney has been making their women stronger. Frozen does that as well, but it does so in a more in-your-face way, not just making a stronger princess but essentially mocking classic plot points of earlier movies.
Frozen's messages of empowerment, sisterly love, and being true to yourself aren't necessarily radical, yet in the context of Disney they feel a little radical.
The movie contains two princesses; Anna, who is tough and adventurous and wakes up looking very unprincessy, and Elsa, whose fear of her powers gives way in the anthemic Let It Go, a song I thought was catchy on its on but that in the context of the movie is exhilarating.
In terms of emotional resonance and subverting tropes, Frozen is perfect, but the story has some practical issues. Most notably, the film's concept of how government works in a kingdom makes no sense, starting with the moment when a visiting diplomat orders the towns guards to grab the queen, which I cannot see happening. There are a number of places, all involving governance, where the movie just makes no sense at all. Of course, Disney films are never realistic, but you've got to draw a line of sense somewhere.
I'm torn between giving this movie an 8 and a 9. It's very good, and I left the film with a feeling of elation that made me think it deserved a 9. But if I think about it rationally, beyond my admiration for its feminist message, taking into account plot weaknesses, I'm inclined to give it an 8.
But 8 or 9, it should be seen. It's a lot of fun.