Frozen

Frozen has smashed box office records as it went on to gross over $1,000,000,000 at the box office, becoming the most financially successful animated film since the beginning of time itself. However, this statistic should not be taken at face value as factors such as inflation and high-ticket prices influence the box office results highly. If you were to adjust the results for inflation levels and ticket prices Frozen would find itself slightly lower down the rankings.

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Snow Queen, Frozen tells the story of Elsa (Idina Menzel) who has the ability to create ice and snow. At first, this talent was seen as a gift but after an accident in which her sister is zapped by her magic powers it is decided that she should avoid the public in order to protect them from her magical powers, meanwhile her sister Anna (Kristen Bell) has had her memory wiped of Elsa’s powers. After the death of their parents Elsa is pronounced queen, but after Anna pushes her too far Elsa’s powers are revelled and she is forced to flee Arendelle whilst unconsciously casting Arendelle into an eternity of winter. Anna must find her sister and plead that Elsa refuses the effects of her power.

Recently Disney and Pixar have taken a few steps away from the conventions of the genre by not having a central female character motivated merely by finding a suitable husband (I.E Brave). Frozen takes even further steps by creating a film that features two strong central female characters in which the sister’s relationship is integral to the plot. Deeply moving and powerful the relationship between Elsa and Anna drives the film forward, from their forced separation to the film’s heartbreaking conclusion. These steps mark progress in the genre, but some have argued that there are some further steps yet to take.

After a shaky opening, the film moves from strength to strength dazzling the viewer with state of the art computer wizardly. Frozen is gloriously animated, the winter landscapes are outstanding, the mountains staggering and the Ice Palace is utterly resplendent. The occasional song does punctuate the film’s pace, particularly the snowman in summer song and a few songs in the film’s opening act (does anyone say jinx anymore?), but the single Let It Go is one the of film’s highlights.

Hugely enjoyable, engaging and often highly amusing Frozen is an absolute delight for all generations. 

3.5/5