Review Story

Disney's Frozen Takes a Twist on the Traditional Fairytale
By Jennifer Pascale

photo credit: wikia.com

Disney takes a more modern world spin on its new movie release.

Frozen captures the story of a princess named Elsa who is born with what seems to be the curse of an icy touch that is uncontrollable. She faces many obstacles within her family, especially with her younger sister, Anna, who is unaware of her power until Coronation Day, when Elsa loses control and freezes over their homeland of Arendelle. Elsa builds a fortress on the North Mountain while Anna tries to save the day. Many other challenges come into play throughout the film, but in the end, the town is thawed, Elsa controls her power, and Anna finds 'true' love.

Although it ended like any other fairytale, there were several features in the movie that are unlike most that Disney would normally compose.

Stephen Holden, writer for The New York Times says, "They are significant departures from tradition in a film that shakes up the hyper-romantic "princess" formula that has stood Disney in good stead for decades and that has grown stale."

Frozen happens to be one of the very first Disney movies where the first men the girl meets is not the one she ends up with. It gives the storyline a more conventional feel in today's society, but a more unconventional feel in regards to the usual fairytale.

"Treacly, kissy-kissy endings are not enough anymore. Nowadays, a princess has to show her mettle and earn her happily-ever-after stripes." says Holden.

Frozen took a different direction by illuminating life skills, rather than actual fairytale endings. It discusses the fact that the first person you meet isn't always the right one, but you learn something from it.

This film was not about a princess falling in love, but learning about love.

Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven (Left to Right)
photo credit: NY Times

Although many elements were different, Disney's famous animation remained resilient and strong. The characters were detailed with the same story-book features, but they did not have the same bright-eyed personalities that shined all throughout the film.

They had struggles and insecurities that gave them challenges in their day-to-day life.

In the end of the film when Anna is freezing to death because Elsa struck her in the heart, we assume that love's kiss will heal her when in fact, Elsa's love for her sister brings her back to life.

Yes, she ends up dumping the scheming Hans for Kristoff, but she overcomes many obstacles on the way and neither of them were the hero in the end.

"It's not about staying a child forever, but figuring out how to grow up." says PluggedIn.com. "Under the veneer of traditional Disney magic, Frozen gives us a bit of the emotional depth Pixar so excelled at."

Frozen is a movie for all ages. There is adult humor, but at the same time, a charm that kids will enjoy. It is a film for this new and modern day generation, adding more of a real-life feel to its magical elements.


Frozen
Released in Theaters November 27, 2013