Disney’s “Frozen” sweeps the nation, adored by audiences of all ages
When my friends asked me to see “Frozen” on a Saturday night, I was confused by their choice of film. The trailers for the movie that I’d seen portrayed the new Disney princess story as sweet but not anything especially unique. But as we filed into our seats, I noticed the wide range of ages and types of people in the audience. From the young couple with two toddlers on my right to the elderly women having “girls day out” in the row behind me, everyone seemed excited to watch whatever Disney put on the screen.
The opening sequence is a musical number, following the two main characters as they grow up as princesses. The title of the film is inspired by the special powers of the older sister, which she uses to create a winter wonderland inside the castle walls. I was immediately hooked. Most of the focus was on the younger princess, Anna, who steals the show through her adorable and relatable awkwardness. The story is told through a combination of song, dance and hilariously uncomfortable dialogue.
Her older sister, Queen Elsa, is equally relatable, but in an almost disturbing way. Her cold, unreachable persona is matched by a dramatic childhood story. At the end of the film we realize that we all have a little bit of awkward, loveable Anna in us, but we all have a little bit of scared, harsh Elsa in us too.
Though the princesses are compelling and beautiful, the real star of the show is the talking snowman, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad. I know, how could a talking snowman bring anything to a film except obnoxious silliness? While he is quite silly, the sweet natured pal brings the movie to life through heartwarming dance numbers and witty one liners that leave people of all backgrounds doubled over in laughter.
The dramatic ballad “Let It Go” performed by Idina Menzel, the voice of Queen Elsa, is number 18 on Billboard’s top 100. The story is loosely based on the fairy tale “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen, which has been credited as the inspiration behind films and television shows over 20 times. After only four months in theaters, the movie has been adapted into board games, children’s toys and storybooks, and Princess Anna has already been added to the Disney Princess collection.
Though it’s aimed for children, it’s become quite clear that “Frozen” has become a classic for all ages and will remain one for quite some time. The number of parodies and song covers of the film that have gone viral is a sign of how fascinated other film and music makers are with story and its artistic elements. One of my favorite covers is a children’s choir led by Alex Boye performing a chillingly beautiful “Africanized tribal cover” of “Let it Go.”
Check it out here:
I highly recommend dishing out a few extra dollars and “letting go” of 108 minutes of your life to sit back, relax and be highly entertained by this hilarious, meaningful and fun new Disney feature.
