Are you people high?

Rating: 3/10 (21 August 2016)

Here is another film I find it my duty to eviscerate. A lot of the hype surrounding Frozen came from convictions that it broke unprecedented ground in both Disney and mainstream entertainment. Disproving love at first sight? Theme of bonds between sisters? Anyone learned enough will tell you Jane Austen did this first. This movie is two centuries behind in terms of "breaking ground!" We have to use the resources available to us to know what's been done and what hasn't or we're stuck reinventing the wheel over and over.
I was shocked at how much less of a character Elsa has than the fandom made (makes? I'm not sure how active the Frozen fandom is at this point) her out to have. We are barely privy to her thoughts. She only expresses embarrassment about her powers and the ubiquitous concern for Anna. Speaking of Elsa's powers, the movie doesn't give us a reason for them! Disney movies often have fantastic elements you have to just accept, which children can do, but it's much more difficult for me to suspend my disbelief. When something can work because it just can in the world you create, that's a slippery slope towards writing that has no emotional impact. Case in point: At the end, the incredibly vague POWER OF LURVE allows Elsa to control her powers. I thought she already loved Anna! I can't fathom this part because the movie wouldn't explain the logistics. And don't tell me to turn my brain off and enjoy it; Disney has put out more believable stories than this.
The romance element is quite unnecessary, which I concede is progress for a film starring women. Kristoff belongs to a Type of guy I instantly recognize, but a Type I LOATHE. He and Anna share no chemistry to grab my attention; the trolls have to force it like fanfic writers. So much for the heroine's own choices! Like Elsa, Anna is not given enough psychological depth, plus she's cutesy in the worst way. Although, I don't deny there are people like that. . .
Olaf might be the worst thing about the movie. Characters like him are a large reason why I'm not one of those adults who still watches Disney movies on her own time. Look, if it's not too late, don't show your daughter this, show her Sense and Sensibility, which uses a similar setup first and better.