Frozen, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's lengthy fairy tale The Snow Queen, is Disney's latest offering in the line-up of "Disney Princess" movies.
Set in the fictional kingdom in Norway called Arendelle, a young princess named Elsa is born with the magic of snow. When a magic-winter playtime with her younger sister Anna goes wrong, and a frightening prophecy about her magic powers foretold, Elsa starts living in isolation and fear. But when the day finally arrives for her coronation ceremony as Queen, the now adult Elsa has no choice but to come out of her hermit-like existence—and the result is a catastrophe. And now it's Princess Anna's duty to save the kingdom— and her Snow Queen sister.
The comedy-adventure-musical, directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, has Anna (Kristen Bell) in the lead role, giving her a "feisty" and "optimistic" personality, but oftentimes she comes off as a little bit cuckoo and corny crude, which definitely doesn't make her my favorite Disney princess.
The Snow Queen, on the other hand, is the fascinating character; a metaphor of social anxiety and repression; the fear of hurting anybody with one's uncontrollable inner monster, and finds security and peace in isolation. The choice to disappear rather than be misunderstood and judged by the community. To escape in the fjords and retreat. But can one really live alone? And is isolation the solution for a peaceful existence?
The film's soundtrack is kind of a messy mix, from Gregorian to Broadway to pop, with musical numbers breaking out every five minutes. There are pieces, like the opening music, that feels Disney special, but oftentimes it's like watching American Idol. Not even remotely close to the genius of Tim Rice/Alan Menken's film score in the Big Four— the best Disney animated films ever produced, namely A Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King.
The visuals in Frozen is crisp, clean, and oftentimes breathtaking, especially the Snow Queen's castle, capturing that winter fantasy experience. The highlight of Frozen, though, is the richly developed sentient snowman named Olaf, the film's strongest source of humor and personality and cuteness.
Another strength of the film is the unpredictable plot twist— as well as that fundamental and greatest element rendered perfectly in this movie; that one element that conquers all, that breaks any spell and cures one's personal demons. The key answer to everything.
Overall, Frozen's enchanting and interesting Disney adaptation of the fairy tale makes it a pleasant experience. It still may have not surpassed the Big Four—far from it—but it's it's still a nice animated treat for adults and kids alike.
3 out of 5 stars
Opens November 27 in Philippine cinemas.
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