By Staff Writer: Kate Bauer
Disney’s Frozen has only been in theatres for a week but it has already smashed Disney Animation’s opening weekend record, grossing an estimated $66.7 million over the three-day holiday period. Although critics were concerned with the movie’s resemblance to Pixar’s Tangled, Frozen adds a twist to Disney’s traditional tales and presents a beautiful story of sisterhood.
The story is about two princesses (sisters) Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) who both struggle with their relationship due to years of isolation. Elsa possesses unique powers of ice-bending, which her parents (in her best interest) encouraged her to suppress and hide. Anna, being quirky and optimistic, is shut out of her sister’s life and lives in the castle pretty much alone after the death of her parents.
During Elsa’s coronation (she becomes Queen after her parents’ deaths), Anna confronts her sister about why she has been shut out of Elsa’s life. Triggered by emotion, Elsa accidently reveals her powers to the citizens of Arendelle and sends the entire kingdom into an eternal winter. Overwhelmed by fear, Elsa flees into the mountains.
The remainder of the movie is about Anna finding her sister and trying to save both Arendelle and her relationship with Elsa. Of course, being a Disney movie, there is a small romance involved, talking sidekicks, and plenty of original musical pieces. However, a chilling plot twist about three fourths into the film reveals the true message that Frozen is about sisterhood.
Being a Disney fan, I had been excited for this movie for months and I was not disappointed. The storyline was thrilling, heartwarming, and unexpected. By watching the movie’s trailers, it was easy to assume that Elsa was the villain and Anna was trying to lure her back to the good side, but that was not the case.
The part I liked most about the film (other than its musical numbers) was that both Anna and Elsa were protagonists in their own stories. Their well-meaning parents taught Elsa to rein in her emotions and control her powers for her own good, which separates the sisters into their own forms of isolation. Anna and Elsa’s parents aren’t evil, like Snow White’s evil stepmother, and although they want the best for their daughters, the message is that each person has to take charge of their own life and decide what’s best for them.
I have seen countless Disney movies, ranging from classics to current films, and Frozen has one of the most surprising story lines. With its unexpected twist on true love, Frozen is definitely a must-see movie.
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