Frozen
I watched Frozen for the first time the other night, and I too wanted to do a review while it was fresh in my brain pan. Unlike some reviewers I went into this movie with absolutely no expectations at all. I did see the commercials, and to be honest, I was less then wowed. I figured I would borrow it from the library one day. Anyway, my friend wanted to watch it, so I said okay.
Music:
I'll start with the songs. I love Disney songs. Actually, I just love when characters break out into remarkably choreographed song and dance numbers. And when the villain starts singing? Heehee. That's the best to me. Aside from being catchy, what I enjoyed about these songs is the foreshadowing they bring. Its almost like a fourth wall break, but not quite. Like, songs in Disney movies are often either about something the character(s) in question are feeling, or planning, or hoping, etc. For a prime example of this, if you've watched the movie, then Google the song "Frozen Heart" and you'll get my point.
Of course, we do have the standard fare "wish song" from Olaf, who only wants to experience the warmth and beauty of Summer.
As far as any song sticking with me, "Love is and open door" is my fave. Its so silly, but perfectly encapsulates the instant love thing that happens in Disney movies. All in all, I found all the songs cute, or at least enjoyable.
Plot:
The whole cursed princess is pretty standard, but it is changed up a bit by her loving sister who sets off to save Elsa from herself, as opposed to the gallant prince. Basically instead of Elsa being a damsel in distress, in need of rescue from an evil step-mother or some witch, she's a walking WMD. Anyway it was nicely refreshing from the usual Disney formula. And there are a few subplots. Like, how will Olaf survive if Winter goes away? Not to mention her growing closeness to Kristoff when she has the prince waiting back at the castle. This movie will lure you in with predictable plot lines only to pull the rug out from under your feet. I like that about it.
Characters:
Anna: Pronounced in the movie as "Onna" and now I'll say it that way forever. Heehee. Yes, Anna has those huge, adorable anime eyes that automatically make you want to like her, unless you're a terminator in which case you wouldn't like a movie with a singing snowman anyway. She's sweet, and loyal. And comes off as strong, rather then being the helpless lead girl who needs the lead male to help her through the world. I mean, okay, she is a little helpless, but its in a cute kitten kinda way.
Elsa: Holy what movie? We get not one cute princess, but two? This is just one more shake up to the traditional formula. Elsa is the lead antagonist, though she's really more like an anti-antagonist. Is that a thing? What I mean is, she is kinda painted up as the villain (albeit a tragic one). There's another red herring villain before the true scroundrel is revealed. No spoilers!
Elsa is just a poor girl cursed with some gnarly powers, and after a small accident with Anna, her parents basically told her to just hide away. Cause you know, that worked out great for poor Fiona. So she just wants to keep Anna safe by avoiding her. So when little Anna falls for the dashing Prince Hans, Elsa only has her sisters best interest at heart when she puts her queenly foot down on the whole thing. Anna can't be faulted for her emotional outburst. She has essentially become a stranger to her own sister.
Prince Hans: The quintessential Disney prince. Good looks, charming personality, and... not much else. I will say his song with Anna is so kyoot. Totally made me go awe. Yes the marriage proposal felt sudden, but... well, you'll have to watch the movie yourself.
Kristoff: I think he largely fades because he is the second male lead. Yes, this movie does everything in twos. There's even two sidekicks. He's kinda rough plain in appearance, clearly to contrast the prince, but it kinda works against him, as his character gets kinda lost between Anna's and Olaf's more colorful personalities.
Sven: One character too many. Honestly, I was just reminded of a much less interesting version of the horse from tangled. Lets move on.
Olaf, Admittedly he was one of the things that namely didn't do it for me in the commercials. He didn't seem funny. He seemed like a token anthropomorphic sidekick. But lets be fair here, he was funny in moments. More importantly, he had character and heart. He wasn't just a puppet for kids (or kids at heart). The silly snowman actually grew on me
Final thought, this is a really cute movie with lots of lol moments. If you like super silly movies that aren't afraid to laugh at themselves, then you will probably like this.