Movie Review: Frozen (2013)

Frozen (2013)
102 minutes
Rated – PG
Directed by Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Grade: B+

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Disney Animation Studios are on quite some roll recently. With Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph being success stories, Frozen becomes the third straight hit from the studio that brought us classics like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast, and speaking of nostalgia, Frozen feels a lot like those ’90s musicals that children and adults love. But even though the story isn’t breaking new ground, there are still surprises along the way that makes Frozen stand out on its own.

The film revolves around the relationship of two royal sisters, Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel). Elsa is blessed with magical powers of ice and snow, but grows to see her abilities as a curse. An incident in the beginning of the film keeps the two sisters apart for the majority of their lives until the day Elsa is crowned as Queen, but when her powers are seen as monstrous, Elsa flees. Anna takes it upon herself and a few friends she meets along the way to bring her back.

Frozen is basically your typical Disney princess movie, but without a gushy romance story, which definitely makes it stand out. It’s also the purest Disney Animation musical in over a decade, with show-stopping tunes like the Oscar-nominated “Let It Go,” an empowerment song with the strength compared to Wicked’s “Defying Gravity.” And it wouldn’t be a Disney animation without memorable supporting characters: the adorable Sven the reindeer, the quirky and handsome Kristoff, and the goofy Olaf the Snowman.

One aspect about Frozen that is unconventional compared to most of Disney animations is the lack of a true villain. This allows the film to concentrate on the bonds and importance of family and relationships, rather than have the big showdown between hero vs. villain. While this offers a less than thrilling climax, the risk pays off with a very heart-felt moment at the end. In case your kid starts to cry, just remind them that it’s a Disney film and all will be right before the credits roll.

Frozen is without a doubt one of the best movie experiences for the entire family from 2013. It’s light enough for children, yet nostalgic and heavy enough for adults. Whether you leave the theater humming one of the songs, or laughing at something Olaf did, you’ll be smiling all the way home… and most likely downloading the soundtrack.