Looking at just my Facebook page, I see people putting pictures of Snowmen they made themselves called Olaf and more than a few people have their profile picture or their background picture be some artwork of Elsa. On Tumblr, a drinking game of taking a shot every time someone bashes Hans, or does artwork of the two princesses will result in death from Alcohol poisoning. During the Polar Vortex, Elsa jokes began to be cracked all over the country. Covers of "Let it Go" are flooding the internet. It had the third most successful box office opening weekend, sold more albums than Beyonce on Itunes, and there is already talk of a stage production. So upon my fourth theatrical viewing of the film, I began to wonder what made Frozen such a huge movie? Why does everyone love it and will not-to be frank- shut up about it? It couldn't be just the music, which (with the exception of the Troll song) is catchy and even beautiful, it couldn't be just the funny jokes, it couldn't be just because "Let it Go" is a power ballad everyone loves to spontaneously burst into with their chin up and fists pumped and pulled back while in the shower and sing as if they are the Queen of Belting, Idena Mienzel, herself, it couldn't be just the artwork because it is the typical Disney computer animation look. Besides, there are a ton of movies out there that have a beautiful look but a mediocre story line. It couldn't be the grown fans watching it and having Disney touch their inner-child nostalgia. Here is my opinion: First, at a glance, it seems like a traditional Disney story. It almost became a traditional Disney story with a prissy Anna and devious Elsa. You have a pretty princess, magic, cute animals, humor, and more than a touch of darkness, but watching the film, it surprises people. Thankfully, those who were working on the project added familiar elements but did It takes risks you do not normally see in Disney movies. You have a princess who becomes Queen without having to marry, and you have two sisters who are both sympathetic, like able characters, to name a few. You have a main male character who is not exactly a dashing prince stereotype and not since Gaston have we seen a dashing prince stereotype who turns out to be the villain (a pretty uninteresting villain, but a villain none the less). It even makes fun of typical Disney cliches. The reindeer does not literally talk, but only in Kristoff's head. Anna gets criticism for getting engaged to a man she met that day (and realizes she loves a man she has only known for about two days). Although our two female leads are not the first Disney heroines who save the day, they are not action heroines like Mulan or Merida. They have a more realistic, subtle, and unique sort of strength. They seem more like young women you would know and in the end, it is their Agape for each other, rather than Anna and Kristoff's Eros, that saves the day, as set up or "contrived" as it may be, according to critics. Viewers usually find bits of their identity in Anna and/or Elsa. Anna seems more like a typical teenage girl who is clumsy, goofy, ditzy, and boy crazy, but is proactive, independent, and devoted to those she loves. Elsa spoke to a wide arrange of people. There are members of the LGBTQ community who have hidden their romantic preferences from their friends because their parents told them they were sinful and should learn to get over it. There are those who are suffering with mental disorders and social anxiety issues and are afraid that they might hurt the ones they love. There are people who have autism, but hide it because they are afraid of how they will be treated when others find out about it. And Elsa taught them to love who they are, and that they are not "cursed". Feminists approved of the film (and Disney gets a lot of both valid and crazy comments from radical feminists)when they saw that it was also discussing females accepting power, know the man before you walk down the aisle to him, true men ask permission before laying a kiss, and the power from the friendship and love two women can share for each other. So, in the end, it is one of the strongest films Disney has produced. Is it the least flawed? Perhaps not, but it unique characters, unique themes and overall unique message make it one of the Mouse's finest, if not, one of the years finest. By the way, how are they going to stage the ice powers?
