Is Frozen Brilliant?

"Okay, can I just say something crazy?"

Frozen is the "coolest" movie ever. "Now is the winter of our discontent." More like now is the winter in which we've dreamt. Okay, I'll stop, but this movie is really good. It even held the world hostage until it won an Oscar. That's why winter was so horrible this year. If that was not true, then explain why the snow and cold weather stopped after the Academy Awards. You can't. Frozen is one of my favourite Disney films, and I think that it is one of the best films Disney has ever made. This review will contain spoilers, so please stop reading and watch the movie already.

The story to Frozen revolves around two sisters, Elsa and Anna, who have grown apart after one accidentally injured the other. Elsa was born with the power to freeze things and create ice when she touches objects, but she cannot control her power. This leads her to freeze and run away from her kingdom, Arendelle. Meanwhile, Anna falls in "love" with a Prince named Hans which Elsa disapproves of. Anna's search for the missing Elsa leads her to Kristoff, an ice salesman with a pet reindeer named Sven. They come across a snowman named Olaf who is a living version of the snowman Elsa and Anna created as children. The plot is complex for a Disney movie, and there were parts that left me wondering why the characters did what they did, but all in all it is a great plot.

Frozen was also the first Disney movie for me where I had great theatre experiences.When this movie was announced, I knew it was going to be good. "If they can characterize all four of the main characters, then it will be amazing," I said to myself. However, I never expected to see one of the greatest Disney films ever this year. I even remember the day I went to see it. It was Thanksgiving Day, and my parents didn't want to see it in 3-D. I told them, "This is the only chance you will get, and it's only three more dollars per person." They finally gave in, and we went to see it in 3-D. Afterwards, they told me that I was absolutely right. Frozen was so good that I even went to go see it a second time. This time it was by myself on the 4th of January. The second time was the most fun I have ever had at the cinema. I had already seen the movie, so this time I could sit back and enjoy it. My favourite part was seeing the audience's reaction to Hans revealing his plan. One guy even shouted, "That's cold!" I thought that was hilarious.

 

The animation and music is phenomenal. I remember seeing the "Let It Go" scene for the first time and having reality checks with myself. I could not believe what I was seeing or hearing. I still get chills when I watch this film, and the animation and music in this film is almost untouchable by any Disney film. Most of the time when I hear a Disney film, I do not think of the animation during the song in the film, but I do with Frozen. I also do that with Tangled while we are on the subject, and to compare Frozen to Tangled is a huge complement. Words cannot describe the animation of this film. Everything has weight and a feeling in this film. Nothing looks like lines on paper. You would think that everything would be blue and white, but it isn't. There is an assortment of beautiful colours in this film that reflect the moods and feelings of the characters. If you want to see the beauty of the art and music in the film just watch "Let It Go," if you haven't already.

This film also features my second favourite villain of all time, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. This guy is a piece of work. He uses Anna and Elsa just so that way he can become king. He "just can't wait to be king," and I love him. I love to hate this guy. He seems so perfect and good-looking, but is a jerk on the inside. I love that. I also like that the writers made the audience think that the Mayor of Weaselton is the villain, then they show you Hans. I bet you probably forgot about the Mayor didn't you. You forgot that the Mayor also tried to kill Elsa, but this guy is such a blighter that you forgot all transgressions that the Mayor did. Who can blame you? Everyone hates a guy that plays with a girl's emotions and would marry for personal gain. That is why I love Hans.

In my eyes, Tangled and Frozen go hand in hand. Tangled is composed of every Disney princess that came before it with its similarities in story telling and its constant Easter eggs of symbols and movie posters from past Disney films. Frozen is composed of the themes of every Disney princess film that came before it. The theme of The Little Mermaid: A woman's voice is more important than she realizes is shown through Elsa whose powers are more powerful than she realizes. Beauty and the Beast's theme of beauty being on the inside is shown through Hans. Aladdin's theme of don't be afraid to be yourself is shown through Elsa. I could go on and on. This movie does a wonderful job of portraying many themes, but the one theme that stands above all is the theme of loving one's family. See, Hans doesn't care anything about his family. Anna does. That is why Hans is ultimately unsuccessful and Anna is successful. 

 

So, why is this film so brilliant? It has little to no original themes (theme of family being in Lilo and Stitch, the theme of feminism being in Tangled, etc.), the plot seems kinda forced at times (Why did Kristoff leave Anna when he took her to Arendelle), and some would consider Olaf to be the most annoying comic relief Disney has ever made (I used to not really care for him, but I'm starting to really enjoy his jokes. I think I just had to get used to him). However, the heart of this film lies in its two main characters who love each other no matter what happens. Anna doesn't care that she is about to die. She still wants to save Elsa. That is what makes this movie brilliant. Disney did a fantastic job of making the audiece feel for these characters. (I still tear up when their parents die.)

Even though the movie has its flaws. It is still a must see. No movie is perfect, but it could be argued that this movie is almost perfect becasue of the characters. If this movie and Tangled is any indication of what Disney is capable of creating, then I cannot wait until the next Disney princess movie. Now go watch this movie again and buy it on Blu-ray!

 

P.S. Awesome Rapunzel and Flynn cameo!

*As a sidenote, I do not support the Little Mermaid, Tangled, Frozen are connected theory. If that were the case, then why was Belle in Topsy Turvey in The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Why was Beast an action figure in Aladdin? Why did someone kill and cook Pumbaa in Huntchback of Notre Dame? How did Hercules get the pelt of Scar in Hercules? How did Goofy, Donald, and Mickey survive underwater long enough to watch Triton's daughters perform in The Little Mermaid? It's just a cameo.

Is Sleeping Beauty a Sleeping Beauty?

Blue or Pink?

Now before I begin with this movie, I do not hate Sleeping Beauty. I know I have bashed it in the past for having weak characters, but in fact, I really like this movie. This film is majestic in it's art, music, and style. It's my favorite Classic Disney film even though it does little to challenge social norms or advance any characters for that matter. It certainly isn't a must see like Cinderella or Snow White,but it is certainly worth seeing.

The story of this film is very simple. It revolves around a daughter who is cursed at birth by Maleficent because she wasn't invited to the child's birthday party. This leads three fairies named Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather to try to save the princess from death. The story is probably the simplest story that Disney has ever wrote. There aren't many plot twists or characters for that matter, but it doesn't really need them. The beauty in this film lies in its art and music.

This film has one song, Once Upon a Dream. However, it is the best written and best sounding Classic Disney song in my honest opinion. Its animation flows perfectly with the music, and it is beautiful to watch, and that's really why this film works, beauty. The art in this film is breathtakingly beautiful. Every single frame has exquisite detail and craftsmanship. Each character moves with grace and elegance. Sleeping Beauty is the only animated film I watch just for the animation alone. It is that good.

 

I also have to admit, I love the character of Aurora. She isn't a great princess. She doesn't advance the social outlook on her gender. She doesn't even do anything in the film she in besides wait for her prince, but I still like her. First of all, she is one of the best drawn Disney princesses. I mean come on that hair! The only Disney hair more perfect than that is Ariel's which seems to defy gravity. She also wants to meet her prince but is scared to do so because she is a shut-in. Now, I know that she has no character development whatsoever but neither does Philip. He was only written into the script because Disney needed an out! He does nothing. Somehow, he manages to do less than Aurora. Actually, the only characters who do anything in the film are the Kings who get drunk (I know weird right) and the fairies who steal the movie. If you are looking for good characters the fairies are what you want. Fauna, Flora, Merryweather, and Maleficent are all amazing. The animation on these four astounds me. It is unbelievable, and while I'm on the subject, Maleficent is an awesome villain. She tries everything in her power to kill this girl just because she got snubbed at a birthday party. That is one of the evilest motivations of any Disney villain ever created. 

Sleeping Beauty is definitely a flawed film. That goes without saying. It is short, has barely any characters (or any that you would call characters), it is Conservative, and it can be boring at times, but I still like it. I guess you can call it a guilty pleasure of mine. It has a certain charm to it. A certain je ne sais quoi. It sums up the Classic era of Disney perfectly: beautiful but conservative. If you enjoy Disney, then I recommend it. However if you want a film with good songs, beauty, and actual characters, then I recommend Frozen.

The Social Ramifications of the Disney Princess

"You were my new dream"

Socially, the Disney Princess is looked down upon as "unrealistic expectations for women." Many people argue that an impossibly skinny, white princess is detrimental to little girls who may not look like these princesses. They also believe that every princess is just waiting to be saved. However, I believe that these princesses should be looked at as outward manifestations of the beauty from within and that each one did not just wait for their Prince.

 

In order to accurately assess the Disney Princesses, we must first start with the very first Princess. The timeline of the official Disney Princesses is as follows: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, and Rapunzel. Merida is considered a "Disney" Princess. However, she is Pixar, and Pixar is not Disney. In an effort to avoid redundancy, I will split these Princesses into three eras: Classical (Snow White, Cinderella, ad Aurora), Renaissance (Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, and Mulan), and finally Revival (Tiana and Rapunzel). I will mention Elsa and Anna, but I'm not going to go to into detail in order to save some discussion for my review of Frozen.

Classical Era

This Era is the most controversial in terms of views on women. Many critics view Cinderella, Snow White, and Aurora as the weakest and most dependent princesses in Disney's line-up, and others testify that it was a different time and the characters acted as fairy tale princesses would. I lie somewhere in between these two groups. Snow White is weak and marries someone she doesn't know, but this was also Disney's first animated feature. It was made in 1937. Women only had the right to vote for 18 years, and they certainly were not treated as equals (and still aren't for that matter). So, it's no wonder why Snow White was as feeble as she was. However, Snow White acted as a mother to the dwarfs which is a tough job for any person. She did not revolutionize gender roles such as later Disney Princesses, but she was not completely useless. Cinderella, on the other hand, is a hard working woman who deserves the things she is rewarded in life. Let me clarify. I am not saying that Cinderella needs a man at all. I'm just saying she deserves to get what she wants for once, and she wanted to go to the ball. Now, Aurora is the one that deserves the hate for doing nothing. She is merely a plot device through the whole thing, and she does nothing to redeem herself. She merely pricks her finger then waits for her Prince, but to be honest, Prince Philip didn't do much either.

 

Renaissance Era

These Princesses are also looked at as degrading to women, but I'll defend each one of these til death. Ariel might have given up her voice, but she learns that without her voice she can't win Eric's heart. Ariel also follows her heart and gives up what she loves for the person she loves which is a very mature thing to do. It may seem on the surface as detrimental, but look at Eric. He does nothing the whole movie but wait for Ariel. He is as useless as Aurora. Belle needs no explanation. She refuses Gaston's marriage, trades her life for her father's, and tries to find a life grander than her own. She does end up marrying, but she never did because Adam was a Prince or handsome. She does because she finds that she loves him after spending time with him. Jasmine refused marriage as well, and she stuck up for herself. She even threw her drink in Jafar's face when he had the power to kill her. She ended up having to be saved, but it was Aladdin's film not hers so it's understandable. The most overlooked Princesses: Pocahontas and Mulan both stopped wars. One by stopping the confilct and the other by defeating the entire Hun army and saving China. These Princesses were the first in a long line of great women that Disney would create. Each one would build upon the revolutions of the Princesses that came before her.

Revival Era

This Era is my favourite, so I'll be brief to save some topics for later discussion. Tiana is a lot like Cinderella in the respect that they both are hard workers. Tiana doesn't even want to marry a Prince in the beginning. All she wants is her restaurant. Rapunzel is the same way. All she wants is to see the lanterns that fly on her birthday. Both just happen to find love along the way. Elsa and Anna, however, are the most revolutionary of all. The resolution does not even revolve around a relationship between a man and woman. Of course, Frozen was not the first Disney movie to not have a marriage in it, but the way Frozen was written makes that fact more profound. These Princesses do not wait for their Prince. They do the things they want to and happen to find it.

 

Another complaint I hear is the fact that they are all skinny and white which is damaging to little girls. However, the reason why most of the Princesses are white is because most of them are from Europe. Disney does not whitewash. If they did Aladdin and Jasmine would be white. The fact is that most of the fairy tales that Disney adapts take place in Europe. So, most of them are white. Now, the reason why they are skinny has to do with animation and human perception. If you look at the character drawings for Disney characters, Disney heroes and villains are drawn to look their part. Jafar was drawn so that when you look at him for the first time you know that he is the villain. Beast was drawn to look terrifying. Disney draws them this way to show the character's inner personality. That is why Ursula looks scary and Ariel looks beautiful. 

The Disney Princesses are what you make them. If you want them to degrade you and make the world look shallow. They will, but if you want them to fill the world with beauty and light, they will do that also. One thing we can all agree on, however, is that Disney Princesses are getting more independent, and therefore, it is more enjoyable to watch them overcome their obstacles.

*To clarify I don't hate Sleeping Beauty. I actually rather enjoy it.