2013, Disney Animation Studios
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 101 mins.
THE STORY:
Sisters Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) are two very happy princesses living an idyllic life in their Nordic castle. Elsa has the mysterious gift of transforming anything she touches into ice, and this is the source of untold fun until Elsa accidentally zaps Anna in the head. She recovers, but loses her memories of Elsa's gift and Elsa's companionship as the latter locks herself away to prevent any future accidents.
The two become even more estranged when their parents are killed in a shipwreck. The sisters barely see each other until the day arrives for Elsa's coronation. She emerges to the public, but her special talent rears its ugly head. To escape the dire consequences of being branded a sorceress and of having plunged her village into an eternal winter, she flees to the mountains where she builds herself an ice castle and 'comes out' as an ice queen. She tries to live alone, but is followed first by Anna, then by others who seek to rescue Anna or destroy Elsa.
Along her journey, Anna meets three individuals-- Prince Hans, Kristoff the ice farmer, and Olof the snowman-- who each teach her about herself and who she wants to be. She is able to rescue her sister, and in turn is rescued by her sister, who discovers the secret to controlling her gift. Elsa learns that accepting and directing rather than trying to suppress her true nature is the route to happiness.
The two become even more estranged when their parents are killed in a shipwreck. The sisters barely see each other until the day arrives for Elsa's coronation. She emerges to the public, but her special talent rears its ugly head. To escape the dire consequences of being branded a sorceress and of having plunged her village into an eternal winter, she flees to the mountains where she builds herself an ice castle and 'comes out' as an ice queen. She tries to live alone, but is followed first by Anna, then by others who seek to rescue Anna or destroy Elsa.
Along her journey, Anna meets three individuals-- Prince Hans, Kristoff the ice farmer, and Olof the snowman-- who each teach her about herself and who she wants to be. She is able to rescue her sister, and in turn is rescued by her sister, who discovers the secret to controlling her gift. Elsa learns that accepting and directing rather than trying to suppress her true nature is the route to happiness.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- die/ dead
VIOLENCE:
- some chase and fight scenes with animals and a giant snow monster
- Anna is struck twice by her sister's magic ice shocks and almost dies
- Anna is frozen into an ice statue for a few moments until rescued
- Elsa and Anna are both left to die by Hans, but escape
TEACHING POINTS:
- 'true love' has many meanings
- don't jump to conclusions about people; take the time to get to know them
- people sometimes have reasons we can't understand for the things they do; don't assume
- accept who you are and realize that your 'curses' can be 'gifts'
THE UPSHOT:
To be honest, I neither expected nor wanted to like this. It's Disney... it's the definition of commercialism... it's cloying and ubiquitous. But I liked it. I liked the fact that a Disney movie makes a point of enunciating how ridiculous it is for someone to fall in love and get engaged minutes after meeting without a single meaningful conversation-- hello... Cinderella? Snow White? Ariel? Pocahontis... is anyone listening? I liked the fact that the act of true love is not bestowed by a prince who wasn't even in the picture 5 minutes ago, but by a family member who has dedicated most of her life to acting out of love.
Somewhat reassuringly, however, there were things that bothered me. The very Aryan, very classically beautiful characters are a bit disappointing. But most disturbing to me was the 'Let it Go' scene, where Elsa transforms herself from the good girl trying to be what others expect her to be into a strong, proud-- if isolated-- woman. Not only can a lot be read into the words of the song, but her physical change is distinctly sexualized. I like the theory, but the execution is a bit hard to swallow for me.
Somewhat reassuringly, however, there were things that bothered me. The very Aryan, very classically beautiful characters are a bit disappointing. But most disturbing to me was the 'Let it Go' scene, where Elsa transforms herself from the good girl trying to be what others expect her to be into a strong, proud-- if isolated-- woman. Not only can a lot be read into the words of the song, but her physical change is distinctly sexualized. I like the theory, but the execution is a bit hard to swallow for me.
4/5
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