Is the New Disney Princess Movie “Frozen” Worth Seeing?

My only disagreement is that I absolutely LOVED the songs. Especially "Let it go", Idina Menzel is a treasure.

I actually was very pleased at Tangled's villain, a female. A fear of aging is a very real issue in society especially for empowered, self sufficient single women. According to society, its only ok if you also have your looks.

I think it is just you in terms of the music. "Let it Go" was phenomenal and "For the First Time in Forever" was a great musical number. Plus "In Summer" with Olaf was hilarious. This film can easily be converted to a broadway show, and to be fair to the other musicals, other than Beauty and the Beast, how many of the songs other than the main one (Under the Sea, A Whole New World, I'll Make a Man out of You) can you name from each film?

I figured the "sappy song" between Kristoff and Anna was "fixer upper", which I think was a bit better than having them actually sing song together in harmony, because their relationship contradicts the previous "Disney standard"... but also THANK YOU for mentioning that the music was... "eh". It seemed very strange to have the songwriter of Avenue Q and Book of Mormon try and tackle a children's film, although clearly a few reviewers were smitten by "let it go" and etc... but my friend who saw it with me also felt that they were really charmless or unmemorable songs (did Anna need to mention feeling gassy in a song?). I can name songs from Mulan, Aladdin, The Lion King despite not watching them for years, but I honestly can't hum any tunes from Tangled or Frozen (one was about building a snowman.......being compatible.... something about summer....he's a fixer upper something something.....let it go just...let it go?)

As a woman who has found myself in lifelong scrapes and misunderstandings due to a lack of being cheerleader-perky, told to "smile" by strangers and informed I have something called "resting bitchface," I have to take mild issue with the idea that Elsa is "not characterized." Introversion, shyness, and/or reserve are characteristics -- how much more so introversion that is chosen on purpose as a protection and defense?

(I spoil, below.)

What do we know about either sister, really, concretely? We know that they are naturally playful, that they love each other to bits, that they like chocolate, and that they are generally decent people. That's it. We see Anna sojourning forth to save her sister one day (two tops), an obviously brave act requiring a great deal of strength, but how can we miss that Elsa has basically artificially remade herself over into an introvert over the course of her entire youth, and how much strength it took to maintain that? Her very body language speaks to this effort -- her clothing choices from neck to toe, the way she keeps her hands close to her sides or folded about her body, the fact that she remains sequestered in her room for three years beyond her parent's deaths, well past the point at which their edict on her has dissolved. They shape her, of course, but understands, and agrees, and she embraces it out of love for and fear for her sister. (This is not to put down Anna's spur of the moment bravery either -- she spends *her* childhood unflaggingly trying to reach out to her sister, just as Elsa spends hers unflaggingly trying to protect Anna.)

As this is a musical, song is characterization as well -- look at "Let It Go" (no less characterization for Elsa than "Snowman" is for Anna), even aside from the lyrics -- the body language, when the real person Elsa has been all along comes out, when she casts off the cage she has made of her own body. She feels safe only when she is alone, has isolated herself enough not to be a danger to anyone. What she creates is beautiful and fancy, but also a clear reflection of the castle she has left behind. Look at the clothing she creates for herself, free and playful and finally un-zipped up. How she finally discovers motion and looseness in her body, swinging her hips not for the benefit of any princely suitors, but just for herself, just to *move*.

And both sisters have a character arc, a lesson to internalize that shapes them into different people by the end. Elsa's lesson is arguably more internal and self-realized -- Anna is told repeatedly by others that infatuation is nothing to base a lifelong relationship on, and comes to realize that her longing for her sister cannot be replaced by forcing a romance with the first dude that happens by. But Elsa learns on her own that the love she has for her sister is a fuel for her powers every bit as strong as her negative emotions have been, and that she doesn't have to be a danger to her land or loved ones after all, that she is, in fact, in control of her destiny.

I think the "being saved by a man" parts are exaggerated, too. Kristof helps Anna out -- because it is an extremely wise thing, no matter who you are, to hire someone to take you through the snowy mountains if you are not and have no reason to be familiar with snowy mountains. People -- even experienced people! -- die out there all the time in the real world. Good for the kids to know. But the real, plot-important, death-defying saving is done by the sisters. Anna saves Elsa from beheading, and Elsa turns around and saves Anna from freezing. Everything else is diversion and sleight-of-hand in service of the "twist." (Which I saw coming because I read "The School of Good and Evil" by Soman Chainani for my niece, which is a wonderful book. Not perfect, but wonderful. :-D :-D)

(Also, Elsa's magic is explained -- her parents explain to the trolls that she is not cursed; it is a gift she was born with. It was not seen as a negative, dangerous if sloppily used, as any strong power would be, but ultimately merely a talent to be mastered, until she struck her sister in the eyes by accident. It doesn't feel plot-holey to me to find magic as a given at any particular point in the Disneyverse.)

All that said -- I did spend nearly the entire first twenty minutes of the film literally hiding my face behind my scarf in embarrassment, even though I knew all the wuvvy duvvy was a diversion. I think it was a bit uneven (where, in my opinion, Tangled was a smoother, more cohesive production -- as was Brave, although it contained worse people, I think). So it took me quite a while to warm up to this film -- so to speak! But now I'm warmed.

actually if you listen carefully enough in the movie, elsa was born with the magic not cursed.....the troll asked "born or cursed with the power?" the king replied "born"...

Her father said it to the trolls herself, Elsa's ice power was something she was born with. The only reason why she keeps calling it as a "curse" when she got older was because of the incident that almost killed her sister. That and what the elder troll had said about Elsa's powers being capable of great beauty AND great danger (and subsequently warning her that fear will be her enemy) had made such a strong impression on young Elsa. It was from that moment on that it was ingrained in her head that what she had and who she was a threat to the people around her, and so she lived in constant fear, trying to hide her true self from the world, setting off the vicious cycle. It eventually conditions her to believe that what she was and the powers that she had were a "curse" that had befallen her, when, in fact, she was simply born this way.

This is why, to a great deal of people, her ice powers resonate as a kind of queer metaphor to the LGBT folk. This is also why Frozen has a great plot imo. It's so beautifully done that the iconic song "Let it Go" becomes an expression of that struggle and journey to learning to love yourself for who you are no matter if other people around you make you feel otherwise.

I'm SO glad someone agrees! I'm a musician, so I really, REALLY didn't like the songs- it doesn't have the Menken magic! The songs were very "broadway" sounding, which meant that they felt like they didn't fit the snowy scenery of a royal kingdom. Elsa's song in the mountains begins with a piano accompaniment- it sounded strange and out of place. The chord progressions were also very "broadway" sounding and not very magical, just brassy and out of place. I don't even want to talk about the lyrics- the use of "totally" every two seconds sounded cheap and rough and out of place too. Just because they use words like "totally" and "like" in the songs doesn't mean it will connect with the younger public, it just songs clumsy! I didn't like the rhyme as well, and the songs were mostly "belting" songs and all very loud. I really, really wish Menken made the music and Stephen Schwartz the lyrics, it would be a totally different movie!

However, the scenery was very beautiful, but yes, I really wish Elsa had a better character, she was just depressing. Although it was a good point to teach people not to trust someone just because of their title or looks- they might be a hidden villain! lol! I really loved Kristen Bell's voice, didn't like Menzel's voice very much- if the songs were better, oh my!

Thanks for stating your point of view! I hope the next Disney film will be with Menken!!!!

This film was just awful. That's all there is to it. If Walt Disney could see it himself, I am positive he would have said the same thing. Here we have a film about a magical princess who can create ice castles with a swish of her hand, rock gnomes who can alter memories, and a walking, talking snowman, all that, and this movie has NO MAGIC! NONE! The characters are flat as pancakes. They are boring and shallow and annoying. The whole point of Disney is that it is magical, it is fanciful, its unrealistic! That's what fantasy stories are! They are unrealistic! Why do we always have to shove our own insecurities and faults into ever nook and cranny we can find? Why do we have to create a silly, clumsy princess who drools on her pillow? Because she is relateable? Who cares if she is relateable. Its a fantasy! She can be as pretty and perfect and unrealistic as she wants. You know why? BECAUSE IT'S FANTASY!!!!! Why must we become so vain that all things must be created in our own image? Are we so broken that we can't allow a little bit of drama and magic into our lives. Isn't that what Disney movies are for? And I know what you must think.... little girls need to know that its ok for them not to look and act just like the perfect princesses that they are bombarded with all day long! Well perhaps we should turn to celebrity culture instead of animation for that one? Airbrushed and photo-shopped women being heralded as the perfect specimens of the female kind are probably far more influential than a 2D drawing..... just a guess. I do not believe that any young girl truly wants to look like Cinderella. Cinderella is a cartoon, an image, and believe it or not, children can tell the difference between cartoons and real life. Also, children don't care if their princess is realistic, or feminist, or logical, they just care that she is pretty, and sings nice songs, and gets the handsome prince at he end. Yes, it's a formula, yes, its far-fetched and even a little shallow, but if your child is not smart enough to understand the difference between a cartoon fantasy world and the real world, than you have a much larger problem.
Anyway...... besides all that, (Losing our beloved, simple fantasy Disney formula, I mean) the music in this film was horrid! The song, "Let it Go" which everyone seems to be in love with, was a high-pitched and badly worded, screechy mess sung by a woman, who when singing live, can barely carry a tune. I had never heard a single off note sung in a Disney film until I heard that song. APPALLING!
In addition to the music being poorly constructed, the film also lacked completeness, richness, and general attention to detail. Snow White was in production for five years. FIVE YEARS. Millions of sketches were created for Snow White, and each individual frame of the film was drawn and colored by hand. That is attention to detail. That is a labor of love. That film is timeless and unlike anything else. Frozen, will not be held to such a standard of love and admiration. It is a slap-dash, thrown-together piece of feminist junk that was released before anyone had a chance to make it decent, just in time for the holidays, oh joy.
By the way, I think it is entirely possible to create interesting and inspiring female characters in fantasy films without making them into drooling, whining idiots. Disney has already done it, in fact. Mulan, Belle, Ariel, Pocahontas, all free-thinking, strong women with opinions, hobbies, belief systems, good morals, and compelling story-lines. Perhaps Disney's crew should take a look at the marvelous work they have done in the past and take a step back towards that.

Unfortunately, I really wanted to like this film but it proved in vain. It wasn't memorable as most Disney films, and the song? Let's just say, I wasn't fan after all. With all the great reviews, I thought it would be great movie. Turns out, it wasn't. I still believe "Tangled" had a better storyline and better songs than "Frozen". With all the praises and accolade, I still didn't see the "magic" they spoke/wrote about. This, however, is my opinion. I don't mean to offend anyone who think differently. These are my thoughts on the film. Please don't take any offense.

You said "Elsa has a curse (not very well explained)" and mentioned it again later, it wasn't well explained because at the beginning of the movie it tells you that Elsa was not cursed but born with the powers when the trolls ask this very thing, and if she was born with the powers, it could realistically be genetic.
I agree with most of your pros and cons, except I love the music, it is a movie designed for children, and the characters are teenage girls, and the emotion is what counts, so the lyrics don't necessarily need sophistication. Personally I haven't been able to get them out of my head, but it's all personal opinion.
In terms of feminism I agree that Ana needed Kristophe's help, but that was not based on his gender, it was based on the fact that he had more experience, so she was being sensible, and in many ways he needed her equally.
I liked the way that the relationship between Ana and Kristophe was relatively realistic and fun to watch, they were friends before they were lovers.
I also loved the way that Elsa was a disney princess (or queen even) who did not need a prince to help her rule, or be loved by her subjects, and the way that she reached self-acceptance and happiness without the notion of romantic love involved.

I know what you're trying to say. To be honest, I'm disappointed with this movie. This isn't worth being compared with Tangled. Tangled is a hundred times better. There are several reasons it doesn't leave much impression for me
1/ The songs aren't that good. Talking about Disney movie, the songs are what I look forward to the most but except
for "Let it go", I don't like any of the songs here.
2/ The plot isn't very impressive.It lacks some spice and conflicts to excite the viewers and draw them in.
3/ The male characters' design. I'm sorry but they clearly weren't trying to make a good-looking character here.
4/ The characters' personalities aren't very well depicted. Unlike other movie where the main characters' personality
is very distinct and unique, and very lovable too. But with this movie, I just can't fall in love with any character. Maybe
because the movie is too short for so many characters. They didn't spend much time telling us about the character
rather than just what they did.
5/ I have some issue with this girl Anna. Her attitude is not consistent. One time she was all "I believe in sister.
She would never hurt me" and 'I love my sister", the other time she was like:
"Elsa struck me with her power."
"But you said she would never hurt you."
"I was wrong."
What is this girl saying? Can't she see that it was an accident? Elsa didn't even know about it. Elsa kept telling her
to stay away many times fearing that she would hurt her sister. There is no way Anna didn't hear that. If she really
loves her sister, she should believe in her till the end instead of making her sound like some villain.

Other than those, I would have to disagree with you in some points. I don't think they need a reason for Elsa's power. It's not a curse. It's a power she was born with and Anna doesn't necessarily have to have it too just because she is Elsa's sister. The rock trolls don't need a reason to exist also. This is a fairy tale. Mythical creatures aren't that rare, are they? Have you ever questioned why there are dwarves in Snow White or why there are fairies and dragons in Sleeping Beauty?

Well that's pretty much everything. This isn't really a bad movie. It's just that all the previous movies are so outstanding that they offset it that's all. However, everybody's opinions differ. You have to try to know if you like it or not.

I did not like this movie because the two girls are extremely sexualized, the way they move it's too suggestive (ice princess). In addition, at the end, the ice princess is wearing high heels on ice. Seriously. Plus, the trolls just seemed like an attempt to fill up empty space and I don't really think the animation was great because most of the scenes are just the same, there's no background that differentiates.

This article is terrible. And I disagree with you, because I believe that the songs in Tangled were weak, but when I watched Frozen for the 4th time, I start to notice that the singers have strong voices (not as in attitude but as in power through their voices) that make the music more amazing and memorable and catchy (cause I cannot stop singing "Love is an open door", Let it go", and "Do you want to build a snowman"). This is my opinion, so I'm sorry if you don't agree with me.

I disagree. The soundtrack was really good and from my experiences a lot of people really enjoyed it. Tangled was a good movie but frozen did a lot better. I agree they needed more back story on Elsa but overall the movie was great and I hope they do end up coming out with a sequel that explains a little more about Elsa's past and finds her a true love. Let's just hope they don't mess it up

The curse is a mental illness in exactly every way but name. The trolls are described as experts, providing trustworthy medical information on said curse. The entire film says "this is what you do when your sister is depressed" without ever using those words, so that it doesn't rely on a child understanding what mental illness is or waiting for their parents to explain it clearly. Follow your sister. Defend her to her detractors. Parents won't understand - they're ashamed, it's stigmatised. Talk to her, even if it is hard. Don't let isolation or aggression keep you from loving her. Even though she might hurt you, she doesn't mean to. She can't control her illness, can't protect you from it - so you have to try and protect her. And always listen to your psychologists, even if they seem weird.