Frozen

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 by Frederick William Springer III

Frozen in 3D

Release Date:  27 November 2013                                                       Runtime:  102 Minutes              

Review Date:  1 April 2014                                                                  Rating:  3 (of 6)

I saw Frozen the day after it was announced that it had become the highest grossing animated film ever, crossing the billion dollar mark, and beating the likes of Toy Story 3, leaving me with the burning question of "WHY?!".

For starters, the film is very heavy-handed with music from the get-go, the songs feeling very forced and unnatural (not to mention not very good), unlike any of the Disney classics that felt smooth and organic.  For example, Olaf was introduced late in the film, was rather minor, yet needed to have his very own song and dance number?  It wasn't needed and didn't advance the story any.

(Having recently rewatched Mary Poppins, I hadn't remembered how much of a musical that movie really was but the songs pleasantly work there, never once feeling superfluous but supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!)

While the themes explored here are definitely applause worthy--the bonds of kinship and self-sacrifice--the story itself is rather lacking.  It may have been more poignant if it was explored equally through the older sister's eyes (Elsa).  Or, even if they kept it slanted towards the younger Anna, but perhaps had a few short minutes focused on Elsa's plight from her own perspective, similar to the photo album moments in the beginning of Up that outlaid the old man Carl's whole backstory and had everyone melting.

As is, the title is appropriate, leaving the audience kind of stiff and Frozen.