Frozen

[Mugsy]

Spinderella, I think the problem is that you're applying real world ascension rules to a fairy tale. In fairy tales, princes and princesses go together and when they grow up and rule, they become kings and queens. Lineage and whatnot is irrelevant; it's all about matchy pairs of royalty.

What confused me about Frozen was that they never explained why/how Elsa had powers. Usually in fairy tales, there would be a quick backstory montage showing her getting cursed by a disgruntled bad fairy or falling into a magical pond or making a trade with enchanted penguins or something.
And then they didn't explain why her parents were so friggin' terrified of her powers. I mean, I get it, she hurt her sister, but to banish your children from the world and from each other, instead of teaching her how to control it? Bizarre.

I think it was oddly edited.

That said, I still think it's great that a successful fairy tale sends the message that a girl doesn't need a boy to be fulfilled and that she should proudly own her free will.

[captain]

I watched it expecting it to be the greatest. thing. ever. But I was underwhelmed. I read a comparison article that argued Tangled was better, and I agree.

[Hamatron]

Dec 4, 2014 14:47:12 GMT -4 Mugsy said:

What confused me about Frozen was that they never explained why/how Elsa had powers. Usually in fairy tales, there would be a quick backstory montage showing her getting cursed by a disgruntled bad fairy or falling into a magical pond or making a trade with enchanted penguins or something.
And then they didn't explain why her parents were so friggin' terrified of her powers. I mean, I get it, she hurt her sister, but to banish your children from the world and from each other, instead of teaching her how to control it? Bizarre.

I think it was oddly edited.

That said, I still think it's great that a successful fairy tale sends the message that a girl doesn't need a boy to be fulfilled and that she should proudly own her free will.

Yeah, that was another thing that bothered me about the plot. It all comes down to their parents being spectacularly shitty at being parents and taking bad/obviously dumb advice. And then they died. Good riddance. All your choices were fail.

But yeah, the women supporting each other and not needin' no man was great. More of that, Disney.

[narm]

Oh man, I am probably the biggest dork that ever dorked, because I LOVE "Let it Go" so much! I just love it. I don't think I can get sick of it. My four year old was Anna for Halloween, but can do the song motions, foot stomp etc like a boss. Just last night she told me her favorite part is when Anna punches Hans. I don't know what that says about my parenting.

And I too love that my daughter sings "fractals" loud and proud. So awesome.

I can see how others must be desperately sick of it though. Tangled didn't resonate with me, really. I'm a little tired of the whole jealous mom/stepmom thing. Different rant for a different day!

[missjennifer]

The Unshaved Mouse's review has some good rebuttals to the whole "the parents were awful" business.

(And if you like it, you can read his reviews of the rest of the Disney Animated Canon.)

[Hamatron]

Whoa. That page is intense. I really couldn't read most of that. But it looks like it was the build up/finale of a series, so maybe it's something you have to read from the start . Those commenters are really into it!

[missjennifer]

Yes, there are several running gags you might not get unless you've read his other reviews. The writer's an Irish playwright (who's had one of his plays premiere recently) and his Disney reviews are a labor of love, coming from a lot of affection for the Disney animated canon.

His most recent was Roger Rabbit, which is nice and all, but I'm waiting for him to get to Big Hero 6...

[GoldenFleece]

Um...what? Almost makes me long for the days where it didn't get weirder than the Sexy Olaf costume.

In authorized Frozen news, the new short, Frozen Fever, debuts before Cinderella (March 13):

Frozen Fever follows Elsa and Kristoff as they do their absolute best to ensure that Anna has a birthday celebration to remember. The only problem is, Elsa's icy powers seem to get in the way of some serious party planning.

[Hamatron]

Oh man, Disney is going to sue the crap out of those game makers. W... T... F?

[GoldenFleece]

First look at 'Frozen Fever' short:

The first revisiting of the now-beloved characters features some surprising changes, including older sister Elsa's attitude. Elsa, weighed down by her royal duties in Frozen, has lightened up so much that she's throwing Anna a birthday bash.

"It's another side of Elsa the audience hasn't seen before and we hadn't really played with in the original feature," says Chris Buck, who reunited with Jennifer Lee to direct the short.

The birthday plans go awry when the powerfully magic Elsa comes down with a cold on the big day.

"Elsa doesn't get a cold in the usual way," says Lee. "She's special. Surprising things occur that wreak a little havoc."

It will feature a new song (and new princess dresses).