Never since 1994's 'The Lion King' has Disney ever had a hugely successful musical animated film that also sparked a Broadway stage show.
Despite being in production hell for years, Disney's 'Frozen'- which is loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale 'The Snow Queen'- became a major success, including its soundtrack...helped by the now iconic 'Let It Go' scene.
As one who usually enjoys watching the Disney Princess films I of course was eying this film but I had to wait for its blue-ray and dvd release. It doesn't disappoint.
The story starts off with a group of Ice Harvesters as they go about their Ice Harvesting work. It's during this musical number ('Frozen Heart') that we meet a young Kristoff and his reindeer Sven.
The scene then shifts to a castle in which young Anna and her slightly older sister Elsa are sleeping. Or- in Anna's case at least- trying to sleep.
"The sky's awake. So I'm awake. So we have to play!" says Anna, trying to wake up Elsa. "Go play by yourself!" Elsa teases her, playfully shoving Anna off her. Anna by now is fully aware that Elsa is still awake and asks if she wants to build a snowman with her. The reason why Anna asks this strange question to her becomes clear; Elsa has very special magical powers that can create and control snow.
Despite this, the two sisters are clearly very close as they continue to play in the magically made snow. That is until Elsa accidentally hits Anna on the side of her head, causing her to lose consciousness and a string of hair to turn white.
Terrified at what she's done, Elsa yells for their parents who come running at the commotion. They immediately go to the trolls who live up in the North Mountain. Their leader- a wise but kindly old troll- removes Anna's memories of Elsa's magic because "Her heart isn't so easily changed. But it can be persuaded" but leaves the fun. Just to be safe.
Soon their parents are limiting their staff and reducing visitors to Elsa's room; the less people that know about Elsa's magical powers the better. She is even hidden from Anna.
During the 'Do You Want To Build A Snow Man?' number, Anna is wondering why her sister won't come out of her room to play with her. She asks time and time again if Elsa will come out to play. "I think some company is overdue; I've started talking to the pictures on the wall!" Anna sings, clearly missing Elsa's company.
As the years go by, Anna and Elsa’s parents suddenly die as their ship sinks. It’s later reviled on the sequel that they went abroad in order to try and find some answers that will help Elsa understand and control her powers. More on the sequel later.
Three years later after the death of their parents it’s Elsa’s Coronation Day. Anna is excited that they’re “Finally opening up the gates!” during “For The First Time In Forever”. Elsa however is terrified; they might find out that she’s a sorceress and might end up being frightened of her as a result.
During the Coronation, Anna meets who she presumes is “The One”; Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. However, Prince Hans isn’t all that he seems.
When ‘Frozen’ was first released, it was an unexpected hit for Disney with the help of ‘Let It Go’. So popular it was that Disney did a sequel several years later…which also turned out to be one of the very few Disney sequels to not suck.
Personally I really enjoyed ‘Frozen’ for what it was. Was also very impressed with the two actresses that voiced Anna and Elsa and even more so with their singing. My only complaint with the film was the stupid Prince Hans twist which- if the rumours are to be believed- Disney did only to satisfy women’s groups on Twitter.
Despite Disney’s claim that it’s one of their greatest films of all time and despite me really liking this film, I’ve seen better coming from them. I’ve also seen better villains from Disney too.
Commenti