At last, a feisty female Disney hero
Print Edition
Instead of the bygone damsels in distress — yes, we’re talking about you Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty — the female royals of “Frozen,” Disney’s latest animated wonder, are feisty, forward and independent.
Strong female leads are fitting, as “Frozen” marks the first time a female has occupied the director’s chair in the 76 years of Disney animation features. Jennifer Lee, who wrote Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” as well as the screenplay for “Frozen,” co-directed the icy 3D adventure with Disney veteran Chris Buck (“Tarzan”).
Inspired by the 19th-century fairytale, “The Snow Queen,” by Hans Christian Andersen, “Frozen” marks another Disney film modernizing one of the Danish author’s stories. “The Little Mermaid” also adapted an Andersen fable.
Eight new songs, by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, work well when paired with the stunning visuals. But none really shine with classic tour de force like a “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” — and it’s been too long since we’ve had a big Disney-stimulated hit.
But the overall message more than makes up for the film’s pitfalls. Rich in magic, perils and family ties, “Frozen” encourages us to embrace our fears, overthrow our inhibitions and find the true meaning of love.
The animation in “Frozen” is premium and the 3D earmark adds to the pearly appeal of the ice and snow, but we are lacking in the sweeping romance we’ve grown accustomed to in a Disney princess movie.
Still, “Frozen” is finally a tale for gals about love as a journey and not just something meant to save the princess (or damsel) from distress.
Set in the kingdom of Arendelle, sisters Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are best friends who love to play in the snow. Luckily big sis Elsa can create ice and snow with her bare hands.
When Elsa accidently zaps her sister with her sorcery during playtime, Anna is almost killed. Since their daughter can’t control her power, the king and queen send Elsa to her room and isolate her from her sister. But the girls are left alone when their parents die in a shipwreck.
Eventually, at age 18, Elsa emerges, but still can’t control her sorcery and freezes the kingdom. In horror she flees up the mountain and creates her own ice palace. Anna undergoes many adventures to bring her sister back and unfreeze the world.
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