A Disney hurrah for feminism, but still has those Disney flaws (though SORT OF minor this time around)

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2014)

After the halcyon days of Disney dwindled over (I'm talking, of course, about the renaissance of Disney Princess films that the public was graced with throughout the decade of the 90s) the corporation was not short on funds, but short on exceptionally compelling ideas. We were beginning to see the same Disney recipe tailored to another generic Disney character who shares the same values and beliefs as Disney characters who preceded him/her, and the result was pretty underwhelming. The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Brave all told their own 'cutesy' story of big dreams and high hopes, but Frozen offers us something more substantial.
Frozen seems to parody Disney's former blueprint for a successful Disney Princess film by giving us what we're used to from the outset: a coming- of-age tale (although this time it is centered around two sisters), the death of the parents (who were already dead by telling their daughter to 'conceal, don't feel'), the romantic interest, and a reversal of a spell by an 'act of true love.' 'Let it Go' is, arguably, the most empowering song ever sung by any Disney Princess (or any female character, for that matter) and teaches the lesson that it's okay for things to change and it's okay to be alone-- you don't need a kingdom, a man, and all the riches of the world to be happy. 'The past is just the past' and 'that perfect girl is gone,' and the liberated self is introduced. There are a lot of things that just 'work' with Frozen, and a lot of nods and friendly acknowledgements from Disney's creative team implicitly lodged in the film, as well.
The absence of diversity is still present, the lust for a fully-realized romance is still central to the plot (Brave did better at this), but the Princesses do appear to have grander superobjectives than do their predecessors. This is all arguable, however.
Overall, this film is a ton of fun. Great voice talents, a very catchy OST, outspoken and strong female leads, and gorgeous animations actually make this one of the few Disney flicks that you want to be a moral educator. Thumbs up for empowerment.