Disney Wins the Winter Games with Frozen – #DisneyFrozen

I’ve already teased you with the fact that my family and I saw Disney’s latest animated hit Frozen back in October. By now, hopefully, you’ve had a chance to digest from Thanksgiving and catch the movie yourself in theaters.

Or maybe you’re still stuffing your face with turkey leftovers and seeing Frozen for a second time. Or a thirdโ€ฆ

Whatever your status, I’m taking this opportunity to share my review of this truly unique Disney film.

My super short review: I loved it. Totally loved it. So did my wife and kids.

My short review: As the credits rolled and the lights came on, I looked at my wife and saw tears streaming down her cheeks. She thought that was the most beautiful ending she’d ever seen. The next day while out shopping, she texted me to say she just thought about the ending again and started crying right there. That’s powerful writing/animating if you ask me.

My detailed review: Okay, so if you haven’t guessed by now, I completely loved this film. I honestly expected to find it just “okay” when we first went to see it. The previews were cute but didn’t really explain the story much. There’s a reindeer and some funny talking snowman. Great.

Olaf #DisneyFrozen
Olaf

Forget the previews. They do nothing more than show off the gorgeous animation. Olaf, the talking snowman I previously thought I’d despise, turns out to be the heart of this movie. Pure, unadulterated love. That’s what this little guy is. Rolled up in one hilariously adorable pile of snow.

What really struck me about this movie is that it truly is different than any other Disney movie to come before it. I can’t give too much away, except to say that the story and the characters are rich, deep and will completely captivate you.

The story, as explained on the official Frozen website:

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind โ€œTangledโ€ and โ€œWreck-It Ralph,โ€ presents โ€œ Frozen,โ€ a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey-teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven-to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

The film is directed by Chris Buck (โ€œTarzan,โ€ โ€œSurf’s Upโ€) and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, โ€œWreck-It Ralphโ€), who also wrote the screenplay. It is produced by Peter Del Vecho (โ€œWinnie the Pooh,โ€ โ€œThe Princess and the Frogโ€). Featuring original songs from Tonyยฎ winner Robert Lopez (โ€œThe Book of Mormon,โ€ โ€œAvenue Qโ€) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (โ€œIn Transit,โ€ โ€œWinnie the Poohโ€), and an original score by Christophe Beck (โ€œThe Muppets,โ€ Oscarยฎ-winning short โ€œPapermanโ€), โ€œFrozenโ€ hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 27, 2013.

Anna #DisneyFrozen
Anna

The main character Anna may be the newest Disney Princess (along with her sister Elsa), but she’s anything but refined. Anna’s more tomboy than debutante and she’s as clumsy as Chevy Chase inโ€ฆ well, pick your movie. That doesn’t mean she isn’t hilarious, adorable, lovable and a downright regular girl. She’s all of that and more. And Kristen Bell does a perfect job of capturing all of those emotions.

Elsa #DisneyFrozen
Elsa

Elsa, as the protective older sister is amazingly voiced by Broadway star Idina Menzel, who’s song “Let it Go” is a definite show stopper. Seriously. There’s no stopping my wife from singing it. Allie’s had that tune on eternal replay for the past month or so.

Hans and Anna #DisneyFrozen
Hans and Anna

There’s also Hans, the dashing young prince, and Kristoff, the rugged mountain man. These two are so much more than just typical cardboard cutout-type characters that generally fill fairy tales.

Hans and Anna #DisneyFrozen
Kristoff and his lovable reindeer Sven

The animation is as good as any I’ve ever seen in a Disney film. I’m a sucker for details and just seeing the way Disney’s animators turn a snowflake into pure art is pretty darn amazing. Gorgeous colors throughout too, especially considering half the movie is buried in snow!

And then there’s the songs. From the very first ice-chopping tune to the grand finale, Disney really seems to have gone back to its roots. These aren’t your typical pop tunes to blast on Radio Disney and forget about, nor are they slow, boring yawnfests. To me, they remind me of the classic days of Disney’s resurgence into animation a few decades back. I’m talking soundtracks like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and even The Lion King.

Heck, the very first song in Frozen really had the same sort of feel to me as the opening tune in The Little Mermaid with all the crewman dancing and singing aboard the ship. It’s a great way to ease you into the feel of the movie as the initial story is set.

Putting it all together, I honestly think this is my favorite Disney movie since The Lion King. I loved a bunch after that, but if you just look at straight Disney animation (not the Pixar division), I have to rank this right up there with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Yeah, it’s that good. Fantastic storyline, great music, gorgeous animation and a very likable and memorable cast. Oh, not to mention probably the coolest/nastiest Disney villain ever. Plus the best Disney ending I’ve ever seen.

We saw Frozen back in October, but the next chance I get, I’d love to go see it again. And if that’s not the best compliment you can give a film, well, then you better cool off.

Chill out with Frozen in theaters now!

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32 thoughts on “Disney Wins the Winter Games with Frozen – #DisneyFrozen”

  1. Awesome article! My girls have fallen in love with this new Youtube Channel, Itโ€™s elsa wearing normal clothes, and reading bedtime books that arenโ€™t Frozen!!! Such a relief, thought Iโ€™d share since your child seems to love Frozen just as much!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?feature=c4-feed-u&list=PLK-ga1PfJ4pbCmT3wZIrrA2kWzHR1WML1

    Join Elsa as she reads bedtime stories to your kids from her bedroom in the palace of Arendale! A new book will be read and posted every monday and friday starting in January, and yes Elsa wears normal clothes, because no one would want to wear a gown 24/7 in real life! Sweet and quirky, these tales read by Elsa will easily capture your kids hearts ๐Ÿ™‚

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  2. I’ve got to be honest, I thought that this was just another cartoon movie churned out by the Disney machine, but after reading your “short review” I really want to see it. I’m curious to see what your wife was crying about. Thank you for this review.

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  3. To be blunt, I’m sort of a Disney cynic. Like most Gen-Xers, I have fond memories of watching Bambi, Old Yeller and Dumbo, but as a childfree-by-choice adult, I also have that edgily doubtful, arched eyebrow approach to any entertainment labeled wholesome or family-friendly. So I wasn’t planning to see Frozen in theaters, but your review has swayed me. Also my life would be much the poorer if I hadn’t taken in animated spectacles like Monsters, Inc. or Toy Story despite the risk of screaming babies or marauding toddlers in the theater. Thanks for the review, and I won’t even blame you if I cry.

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  4. Thank you so very much for the review. Went to see this with the kids, and they absolutely loved it. We are looking forward to owning it on DVD in March, but for now we bought the CD, and really enjoy the amazing music!

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  5. Absolutely love your review. I couldn’t agree more. I loved the movie as well. I’m very picky on my kids films. I grew up with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Little Mermaid so some of the new movies I’m not a big fan of bu Disney has done it again with Frozen. My father-in-law was in town and I asked if he wanted to go with the kids and I to see Frozen. We had so much fun. I always worry about my three year old getting bored but she absolutely loved it. Plus, I got them Frozen princess dresses and matching shoes for Christmas, well…I mean Santa did. Such a great job on the review.

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  6. I enjoyed reading your review. I have been wanting to watch this with my granddaughter and after reading your review, it is a must. Thank you for the review.

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  7. my son seen this i havnt he said it was alright so im thinking it wasnt his type of movie it was good but i cant wait to see hes 7 so and he’s a cutie pie watch out world anyways i want to see it

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  8. I saw this movie on Saturday with my 4 year old daughter, it was great.
    I really liked how the princesses saved themselves with an act of true love instead of the usual prince coming to save the “damsel in distress”.

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  9. I just saw Frozen with my granddaughters (ages 7 and 9) who have already seen it and wanted to see it again with grandma and grandpa. WOW! My favorite characters were of course Olaf and Sven (I love anything associated with a moose including Santa’s reindeer, which in this house are all moosieys’)!! I also fell in love with that song “Let it Go” which brought the goosebumps out big time!! And what about the surprise ending? WOW!!! I have already per-ordered this movie through my Disney Rewards!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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  10. I had seen previews for this Disney movie as well, and as you mentioned in your review, they didn’t really outline the story very well, so I wasn’t truly that intrigued by it. But I do LOVE animated movies, especially ones that are done really well as this one seems to be, and after reading your review I am definitely going to see this movie! Thanks for the great review and insight!

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  11. I am going to take my daughter AGAIN tomorrow to see Frozen. There hasn’t been a lot of good kid movies out lately and this one is really wonderful!!

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  12. Thank you for the review on this beautiful looking film. I haven’t seen it yet but, I surely will check it out now. Since you edify to be up in the ranks with ‘The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast;’ it must be a masterpiece. I really like how you shared with us that your wife cried from the joy this movie brings to the heart of the viewer. Thank you again for sharing. ๐Ÿ™‚

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  13. This seems like such a great movie!! My girls have been asking to see it, I just have to find the time to take them lol
    Thanks for the great review ๐Ÿ™‚

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  14. I watched Frozen in the theater with my 19 yoa daughter the day it came out in theater. We weren’t sure what it was about but it looked like a cute kid’s movie. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it. Olaf was my fave. He delivered on the laughs.

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  15. I’m with your wife… I cried too! We just saw Frozen this weekend and loved it! I loved the relationship between Anna and Elsa as it developed through the movie.

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  16. Thank you for this wonderful review. From just the previews of this movie alone I have already become a family of that little snowman “Olaf.” The scene of his nose becoming tiny with his little voice about the unicorn hehe. I love that you gave three reviews, a really short, short and your own. My kids normally give one and then myself. I agree, just the songs that have played in the previews seem to be catchy and something that would stick with you.

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  17. Thanks for the review of this movie. My family and I have been thinking about seeing it, but we weren’t sure — our kids are 4 and 6. After reading your review, I think we’ll have to give it a shot!

    Reply

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