12/24/2022 0 Comments Pixar intro 2013But the biggie-the one that's a real game-changer in terms of the sorts of messages Disney animated classics have sent for decades-is the one that's important not just for the little girls in the audience, but for all viewers. Some come out of nowhere and don't exactly work. While the journey may seem overly familiar, the destination has some surprises in store. (At least "Frozen" has the decency to borrow from excellent source material.) This "Wizard of Oz"-style quartet makes the obstacle-filled trek to the imposing fortress that awaits. They all meet up with a singing snowman named Olaf (a lovably goofy Josh Gad, star of "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway) who dreams of basking in the warmth of the summer sun. Along the way she gets help from an underemployed ice salesman named Kristoff ( Jonathan Groff) and his trusty reindeer sidekick, Sven. (Her flashy physical transformation from prim princess to ice queen does make her resemble a real housewife of some sort, however.)Īfterward, though, the story settles in on Anna's efforts to retrieve her sister and restore order to the kingdom. On her way to the highest mountain she can find, Elsa belts out the power ballad "Let It Go," her version of "I Am Woman." This soaring declaration of independence is the reason you want a performer of Menzel's caliber in this role, and it's the film's musical highlight. But a run-in with an amorous, visiting prince ( Santino Fontana) who sets his sights on Anna triggers Elsa's ire, and she inadvertently plunges the sunny, idyllic kingdom into perpetual winter.įlustered and fearful, Elsa dashes away in a fit of self-imposed exile – which significantly weakens "Frozen," since she's the film's most complicated and compelling figure. The reserved and reluctant Elsa (Broadway veteran Idina Menzel) remains distant, and with gloved hands hopes not to freeze anything and reveal her true self on coronation day. The perky, quirky Anna (now voiced by a likable Kristen Bell) is a little nervous but overjoyed to see her sister. (Of the many tunes from "Avenue Q" and "The Book of Mormon" songwriter Robert Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the wistful "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is by far the most poignant.) But once they reach adolescence and it's Elsa's turn to take over the throne at age 18, the two experience an awkward reunion. (Not unlike the telekinesis in "Carrie," Elsa inadvertently unleashes her power in moments of heightened emotion.) A magical troll king heals Anna and erases the event from her memory, but as for the sisters' relationship, the damage is done.Įlsa's parents lock her away and close down the castle, which devastates the younger Anna. But Elsa's special power-her ability to turn anything to ice and snow in a flash from her fingertips-comes back to haunt her when she accidentally zaps her sister. When they were young girls, sisters Anna and Elsa were joyous playmates and inseparable friends. The script from " Wreck-It Ralph" co-writer Lee, inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen story " The Snow Queen," has lots of cheeky, contemporary touches but is firmly and safely rooted in Scandinavian fairy tale traditions. A majestic mountaintop ice castle is particularly exquisite-glittery and detailed and tactile, especially as rendered in 3-D.īut first we must witness the tortured backstory of the film's princesses – not one, but two of them. ![]() And the film from co-directors Chris Buck ("Surf's Up") and Jennifer Lee is never less than gorgeous to watch. Little girls will absolutely love it, though. The songs – which are lively and amusing if not quite instant hits-are already in place. And in the tradition of the superior " Beauty and the Beast" and " The Little Mermaid," surely "Frozen: The Musical" will be headed to the Broadway stage soon. The marketing possibilities are mind-boggling. "Frozen" just happens to be reaching theaters as Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping season are arriving. It all seems so cynical, this attempt to shake things up without shaking them up too much.
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