The Thawing of a Frozen Heart

Holidays are a pretty great time to catch up on the good movies out and about. Actually, as far as things go, besides keeping up with youth choir, rushing happily through Christmas, coughing and spluttering amid a cold and flue in the family (Gracie, Mum and me), and hanging out with family and friends, I also have been watching movies! I will go right ahead and add that I've been laboriously attempting to write a long overdue letter or two, a blog-post or more--all the while haunted by the emails and the lovely blog-posts of my blogger friends who I need to write to. That sounds trite and boring, so anyways, we'll move on ^_^.Through January, I got to see two new movies and a new season of a TV show (you can guess which two movies and which TV show ;). So, I thought it would be a pity not review them around here by and by betwixt chattering about all the more 'writerly' things I share on this blog. What say you?

So, I will start from today, and try to move backwards ^_^. Yesterday, Sarah, Mary and I with a lovely friend of ours went to see the new Disney movie Frozen at our local cinema. It was a very enjoyable afternoon spent with her and with one of Mary's sweet friends, hanging out at Lincraft and then at the ice-cream take-away before moving on to watch the movie. So, la-da-ta, here's my review..

A while back I saw Tangled, which was pretty fun, so I was curious to see what Frozen would be like; I really enjoyed it! Generally I don't watch many animated movies (besides Toy Story and Tintan that is!), so it was a fun treat watching it, a trifle silly and fluffy though it is. Actually, I was quite astounded at the themes they worked into the story, how 'love thaws a frozen heart', that the definition of love is 'putting others before oneself' in self-sacrifice. It is quite powerful, considering Disney, I would say.

The premise of the story goes something like this:

 Anna, a fearless optimist, sets off on an epic journey - teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven - to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. From the outside Anna's sister, Elsa looks poised, regal and reserved, but in reality, she lives in fear as she wrestles with a mighty secret-she was born with the power to create ice and snow. It's a beautiful ability, but also extremely dangerous. Haunted by the moment her magic nearly killed her younger sister Anna, Elsa has isolated herself, spending every waking minute trying to suppress her growing powers. Her mounting emotions trigger the magic, accidentally setting off an eternal winter that she can't stop. She fears she's becoming a monster and that no one, not even her sister, can help her.

First of all, there are the two sisters: Elsa and Anna... I totally loved the opening scenes with the two little girls growing up and Elsa building her sister a snowman. Anna's song 'Do You Want to Build A Snowman?' is so sweet, and I was shedding a tear or two by the end of it. I truly felt sorry for Elsa as well in the unfolding events as she gets trapped by fear.

And then, they grow up and there is the coronation party - the song 'For the First Time in Forever' was funny but I think a little silly ^_^, oh well! Anna is cute. 'Love is an Open Door' was... meh. I mean, Kristoff is right; seriously, 'you get engaged to a fellow you just met?' But then, Elsa runs away and the land freezes in an eternal winter and I love what Anna does so much, her complete faith in her sister, and wanting to bring her back.

Elsa was a fascinating character. For all her coldness and aloofness, she loves her sister deeply and doesn't want to hurt her; so she lives in this fear that eventually leads to a place where she cannot keep it concealed anymore. The scene in her song 'Let it Go' showed her rebellion to all the rules and pressures of her life, which in of itself I did not like at all, but I was glad that the rest of the film helped show how in fact rebelling is not a way to run from your fears and will not only harm you but others also. In the end, when at last she realized that love is more powerful than her fear, she is free to be herself truly and show love. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." 1 John 4:18

And I totally loved Anna's character. She's so lively and optimistic, puts her foot in her mouth, is awkward and excitable, but she's also very loving and affectionate and hopes the best in people. She is such a darling! I can totally identify with her as a character. And her sacrifice, it was so beautiful and sad.

Then there was Kristoff, who was an ice-cutter by trade, who of course had no business once the kingdom was covered in ice! I loved his place in the story - helping Anna reach her sister. He's not your typical charming prince 'hero', but more of a true and caring friend ^_^.

The hint of Norwegian culture in the landscape/names/costumes was such a lovely addition to the film as well. The animation was magical and brilliant! And the music all round was a delight (all but for the two songs I mentioned earlier). 

But my favourite character would undoubtedly be Olaf, the snowman! He's just so much fun and kept me laughing all the way through the film. His incurable delight in the thought of summer, his totally optimistic and happy outlook on life... it is just so sweet. 'Oh, look at that. I've been impaled.' He had the best lines, and the most humour. My favourite song would have to be his ironic, Mary-Poppins style, 'In Summer'. IT IS SO CUTE!

But Olaf, for not having any skull (or BONES!), has some wise words. It was so sweet when he explains to Anna that true love is putting someone else and their needs before yourself. It’s not just an emotion, not just a feeling, but an act of self-sacrifice. And the ending, yep - it pretty much made me tear up! I think the ending has a very powerful message, and the way it turned about the definition of 'true love' to something so much more than simply romance (which did come along in the end too, just so you'd know) is something highly commendable.My two major 'cons' to the film was the end credits song being a re-praise of Elsa's song 'Let it Go' when in fact, that is not the true theme or message of the story; and also, there is a bit of the corny romantic scenes earlier in the film which were... ahem, typical of Disney. Otherwise, it was fun!