Another Disney Champion

Rating: 9/10 (29 November 2013)

The holiday season is here once again, and I cannot think of a better way to spend it with your family then taking them to see "Frozen," Disney's newest animated masterpiece. Returning to the musical renaissance style that was explored by 2010's "Tangled," "Frozen" to tell its version of Hans Christian Anderson's classic story, "The Snow Queen." Despite its loose relation to the source material, Frozen still manages to be a charming, heartfelt musical event that families of all ages will enjoy.
In the magical kingdom of Arendelle, a young princess named Elsa (Played by Idina Menzel of "Glee") possesses the power to freeze anything and conjure snow and ice with her mind. After nearly injuring her younger sister Anna (Played by Kristin Bell of "Veronica Mars" and "Hit and Run") as a child, her powers are kept a secret from the kingdom, and Anna's memories of her powers are erased to protect her. This introduction scene is short but sweet, and it really gives the audience a good sense of Elsa and Anna's relationship. Elsa is forced to shut Anna out of her life despite how much she loves her, and Anna just wants to spend more time with her sister, and can't even know why she can't for her own protection.
When Elsa finally becomes old enough to be coroneted as queen, an incident at the ceremony reveals her powers to the whole kingdom. Fearing that she will be persecuted by the other kingdoms and her own people, she runs to the mountains in hiding, building herself an ice castle to spend the rest of her life in. In her despair, she brings an eternal winter upon Arendelle. In a rather progressive plot point, Anna bravely decides to venture out on her own to find Elsa and bring summer back to the kingdom. For a princess, this is quite a movement from the days of princesses waiting for their prince to save them.
Anna is an extremely well developed female lead. In addition to her interesting back story and progressive nature, she is far from a flawless Mary-Sue type character. She is rather clumsy and awkward, and is willing to fall in love with a man she just met as evidenced in the song "Love is An Open Door." The latter trait at first comes across as cliché, but luckily, the film acknowledges the latter flaw to let her develop throughout the film.
On her journey, she will meet the bulky but immensely likable Kristoph (played by Johnathan Groff of "Glee"), a male lead that is just as clumsy as Anna. He is joined by his reindeer, Sven, an adorable character that charmingly falls into the "All Animals Are Dogs" trope that honestly never gets old. Also joining the troupe is a snowman Elsa and Ana made as kids named Olaf (played by Josh Gad of "The Book of Mormon"). Many Disney films have a comic relief character that is there "for the ride," however, Olaf is perhaps one of the most useful and likable comic relief characters I have ever met. Throughout the film, Olaf helps the characters on their journey and does a lot more than make jokes. He is even given a bit of depth, having his own song, "In Summer" that details his comically ironic curiosity for summertime.
In addition to the witty, smartly written script, the musical numbers are all charming and smile-worthy. From grand-scale numbers like "Let it Go" to charming, character-building numbers like "Fixer Upper," Frozen provides plenty of musical splendor to please the whole family. Expect a sing-a-long version to pop up soon.
On top of this, the animation is stunning to say the least. From the droplets of frozen rain on the trees to the ice-built castle of Elsa, viewers will be astounded by the scenery and beauty of the world introduced to them.
Frozen is a wonderful experience to add to Disney's legacy full of quality entertainment. Almost every cliché it faces can easily be brushed aside and it is certain many will adore it. There is no doubt in my mind that this film will be adored for generations. Good show Disney, good show.