Review 259: Frozen
Loosely based on the fairy tale, The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, When Anna (Kristen Bell) is cursed by her estranged sister, the cold-hearted Snow Queen, Elsa (Idina Menzel) Anna’s only hope of reversing the curse is to survive a perilous but thrilling journey across an icy and unforgiving landscape. Joined by a rugged, thrill-seeking outdoorsman, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) his reindeer Sven and a humorous snowman, Olaf (Josh Gad). Anna must race against time, conquer the elements and battle an army of menacing snowmen if she ever hopes to melt her frozen heart.
The plot deviates from the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale but the result is hugely entertaining, funny, heartfelt, action packed adventure that's fun for the whole family.
One of the main asspects of the film that work is the relationship between Anna and Elsa which is a really strong sisterly love, Anna wants to know Elsa's secret and in trying to find out that secret she causes Elsa to let lose her powers on Arendelle consuming it in an endless winter (a little like the one in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) but Anna doesn't give up on her and sets out to find her and set things right. Really, their relationship felt truly genuine and I highly recommend this film, especially to any families who have daughter who and are constantly squabbling.
This film also has a lot of complicated characters and complicated relationships in it.
There are times when Elsa does villainous things but because you understand where it comes from, from this desire to defend herself, you can always relate to her. Those elements kind of reminded me of Beauty and the Beast in that Elsa may seem villainous which is why the people of Arendelle are scared of her but deep down she's really lovely and needs help and Anna recognises that and loves deeply - and in turn she loves her.
This film also has a lot of complicated characters and complicated relationships in it.
There are times when Elsa does villainous things but because you understand where it comes from, from this desire to defend herself, you can always relate to her. Those elements kind of reminded me of Beauty and the Beast in that Elsa may seem villainous which is why the people of Arendelle are scared of her but deep down she's really lovely and needs help and Anna recognises that and loves deeply - and in turn she loves her.
Frozen is mainly about family and sisterhood, Anna and Elsa are competitive with one another, but are always trying to protect each other – sisters are just so complicated. It's such a great relationship to have in movies, especially for young kids.
Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee's animation direction is brilliant, the animation is stunning, the scenery is breathtaking, the score by Christophe Beck is terrifically beautiful, the songs (Let It Go, For the First Time in Forever, In Summer, Love is an Open Door) by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are sensational, the comedy is hilarious, the action scenes are tension filled and thrilling, the musical numbers are expertly staged, engaging and have a cinematic sense of epic musical value to them. The production design is amazing (the snow-scapes look truly cinematic), the Norwegian inspired setting is gorgeous, the character design is stupendous and the ending put a smile on my face.
The voice cast is superb, Kristen Bell makes for a marvellous Disney Princess in the form of Anna, she's optimistic, free-spirited and at times touch and feisty as well as eccentric and awkward.
She's a really good role model for kids whoever fell strange or put their foot in their mouth to often. And Bell really puts a lot of herself into Anna. Also her relationship with Elsa is really powerful and she gets the emotion across beautifully.
Anna has been locked away at a young age and doesn't get much socialization, to the point that she ends up turning to paintings for conversation, so her idea of love ends up rather storylike.
She's a really good role model for kids whoever fell strange or put their foot in their mouth to often. And Bell really puts a lot of herself into Anna. Also her relationship with Elsa is really powerful and she gets the emotion across beautifully.
Anna has been locked away at a young age and doesn't get much socialization, to the point that she ends up turning to paintings for conversation, so her idea of love ends up rather storylike.
Idina Menzel is also wonderful voicing Elsa, bringing her mulifacited personality to life extraordinarily. As the Queen regent to the kingdom of Arendelle, she's appears calm, reserved, regal, graceful and poised. Underneath, however, she's scared of her powers, a feeling which stems from a troubling childhood incident.
When she was younger, she had cared strongly for Anna and despite being the more mature and cautious of the two sisters, was still quite playful. However, after an accident involving Anna and her powers, Elsa has lived in fear and trauma for a great amount of her life as she became too terrified to let her powers overdevelop. After years of isolating herself for the safety of others, Elsa became reclusive, insecure, emotionally unstable, anxious, and depressed.
Jonathan Groff is terrific as Kristoff. Kristoff is a splendid example of an unlikely hero.
He starts out as, basically, a mountain man who sells ice for a living which is really appealing for a Disney princess I mean who wants to marry that type of person. But as the film goes on he shows himself to a capable, funny and compassionate male lead.
Josh Gad is delightful as Olaf, he is so funny, really adventurous and willing to sacrifice himself for Elsa, Anna and Kristoff. He also wants to spend time in summer, even though he's a snowman which provides us with a few good laughs.
Santino Fontana is simply brilliant as as Prince Hans. He is the first person that Anna has seen in... well forever really. So it's completely natural and understanderble that she would fall in love with him and belive that he is her true love and why wouldnt he be: he's outwardly charming, brave, noble and polite.
Not since Gaston in Beauty and the Beast have we had a Disney prince who was as equally charming as he is self centred and dastardly. He's the type of villain you love to hate.
Alan Tudyk has a very fun role in this film the Duke of Weselton. He is such a prat in how he schemes to exploit Arendelle's wealth
Ciarán Hinds also has a very noteworthy role playing the troll king.
He starts out as, basically, a mountain man who sells ice for a living which is really appealing for a Disney princess I mean who wants to marry that type of person. But as the film goes on he shows himself to a capable, funny and compassionate male lead.
Josh Gad is delightful as Olaf, he is so funny, really adventurous and willing to sacrifice himself for Elsa, Anna and Kristoff. He also wants to spend time in summer, even though he's a snowman which provides us with a few good laughs.
Santino Fontana is simply brilliant as as Prince Hans. He is the first person that Anna has seen in... well forever really. So it's completely natural and understanderble that she would fall in love with him and belive that he is her true love and why wouldnt he be: he's outwardly charming, brave, noble and polite.
Not since Gaston in Beauty and the Beast have we had a Disney prince who was as equally charming as he is self centred and dastardly. He's the type of villain you love to hate.
Alan Tudyk has a very fun role in this film the Duke of Weselton. He is such a prat in how he schemes to exploit Arendelle's wealth
Ciarán Hinds also has a very noteworthy role playing the troll king.
Frozen is a delight from start to finish and fun for the entire family, 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
Comments
Post a Comment