Frozen

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: Yes
Watched With: Tyler, Naomi, Michael

Not to be confused with Adam Green's great film of the same name, although I can imagine the hilarity. Also sadly no seen in 3D yet, but hopefully that will be rectified very soon. Especially to see the Micky Mouse short Get A Horse that's attached. That NEEDS to be in 3D.

I've been anticipating this one for a while, listening to the soundtrack and checking out all the amazing technical stuff in vfx news. The fx animation in this is really spectacular. As is the character animation. Olaf must have been tricky to rig.

But enough tech talk. What makes this film great is that it is both a wonderful throwback to the Disney animated musical, with some really great songs that actually further the plot, and at the same time the story manages to twist the more conventional fairy tale cliches into something more modern but never really loses that classical feeling.

You could argue that this is a more feminist piece but at its heart it still about woman being unable to control their emotions. But the idea of a Prince Charming and true love breaking the spell certainly look different here. And the lack of a true villain is very interesting, the sister relationship is what's centre stage here.

Kristoff could replace Flynn Rider as my prince of choice. Flynn has more personality, but shucks, I just can't lay off the blondes. 

The songs in the first half are very enjoyable. But besides a quick reprise, they sort of forget about singing halfway through and only go back to it for a pretty naff comedy number in the 2nd act. But there's some memorable stuff by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, who also gave us Avenue Q, Book of Mormon and the little seen but delightful new Winnie the Pooh movie. 

It also has its fair share of comedy. Kristen Bell's Anna is probably the scruffiest and most proactive princess I can remember. Idina Menzel's Elsa can high belt. And just like in Wreck-it-Ralph, stealth Alan Tudyk does marvellous work.

The film really has nothing to do with Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen but it stands on its own as hopefully a representation of what Disney can do with story and character from here on in.  Here's hoping for a second golden age. And stay through the credits for some humorous messages and a nice little moment at the end.