in defense of Frozen (2013)

the foreshadowing in that first moment is one of the best opening sequences in movie history. sorry not sorry.

The movie came out when I was nine almost ten in 2013 and I loved it just like any of the other kids. But how could I not love a movie with magic, sisters, and a talking snowman. And did I mention the soundtrack that has literally no skips.

Before the movie even starts we’re hit with the most beautiful song “Vuelie.” The tune is inspired by Sami and Scandinavian culture by the Norwegian composer Frode Fjellheim. The song itself starts the movie with such a swell before we even see any of the characters. It makes a great atmosphere for the film and makes you feel like you are stepping into a dream. Further, “Frozen Heart” sets up the second atmosphere of the movie the darkness with the foreshadowing in the lyrics, it contrasts the dreamlike feel of “Vuelie.” Fjellheim + Joik

Making our way through the first scenes: those trolls are evil had to get that off my chest (I’ll get back to them later). In what way is it better for your child to be scared of herself and have her sister never understand why her own sister would never even see her? However, it gives way to the absolute banger that is “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” because that’s what it is: a banger. It has been thirteen years and I still continue to quote: “Hang in there, Joan.” Not only does it provide quotable moments years later, but its mark for exposition is unmatched. The song is one of those that many classify as “sad song with a happy beat,” as young Anna runs around the castle longing for her sister. Especially after her parents die in a ship crash and now she’s left virtually alone because it leads Elsa to descend further into sacredness of her own self.

From realizing that young Anna is sad about her sister not understanding why her sister never wants to see her anymore and growing up in this mindset it sets up the conflict of familial bonds and how they play out when you don’t even truly know the other part of your family. It is a great lead in to show why she behaves the way she does in “For the First Time in Forever” and how her lack of people around, besides her servants, makes her into an awkward, though headstrong, woman. Anna is so incredibly excited to be outside to have people at home that the first person she interacts with is who she attaches everything to, and everyone else also likes him, yes Hans, yes we liked Hans don’t deny it.

It was easy to like Hans, especially when he wasn’t outright being weird and shifty like the Duke of Weaseltown, though hilarious when he dances with Anna. His hidden in plain sight villain made him charming and easy to like. He makes Anna feel seen, knowing that her being locked up was the way he could get in, going along with everything she does, even agreeing that he did in fact mean “sandwiches.” Hans wanted to get the crown no matter what and the actuality of it was that Anna felt alone and he knew how to prey on her to get what he wanted, the crown. When Elsa runs away, Anna goes to find her and leaves Hans in charge, he’s getting that ego boost he needs and that helps solidify his rise to power.

Though, here’s where he goes wrong or perhaps right. With Elsa being the monster of the town, he doesn’t kiss Anna, ensuring that he could become king with her rise to power, instead he says, “If only there was someone out there who loved you.” actually gagged me at nine years old. But here’s why I believe he didn’t kiss her, besides the whole sister love thing, if he would’ve kissed her, her frozen heart wouldn’t have thawed it would’ve foiled his plans. By exiling Elsa, Anna dying, and no inheritors to the throne, the last person put in charge was him and also the lie that they said their marriage vows. He is such a smart villain that it makes me mad how I didn’t see through it, but that’s the thing he was supposed to be so charming that you didn’t even notice the “You” “And I” lyrics meaning they’re just talking about one person and how he’s found “my place.”

Switching over to my girl Elsa for a moment. “Let it Go” was such a cultural phenomenon because not only was it catchy it represented so many different things for different people and the ability to “let it go” made people feel free to be their full authentic selves. She has been living scared in agony and grief in her room all because of her parents and some trolls who told her that she had to protect herself, but that protecting herself came with two women who did not understand themselves and didn’t have any support to help them through their grief of their parents dying. Elsa running away isn’t crazy, she is scared and felt trapped in her room and in her own body. There was never willingness from any of her guardians for her to discover why she had these powers. Her entrapment of the unknowing made her burst and I to would disappear and say “the past is in the past,” because she never knew the implications of her actions because she was treated and made to feel like a monster by her own parents.

We see a culmination of Anna and Elsa’s feelings during “For the First Time in Forever (Reprise).” Anna finally is finding her sister and she wants to get to know her she has been longing this moment for forever and her optimism beams through her to help her sister. Elsa becomes even more frightened of herself “No escape from the storm inside of me,” she is terrified of what can happen to Anna, whom she loves, she feels like a burden and helpless to this thing that she was never taught to understand. She feels so much fear of uncontrollability to the point of accidentally hurting Anna on a dangerous level.

Oh Jonathan Groff I love you. I’m so happy they realized they had a talent with them for Frozen 2 after having him only sing “Reindeers Are Better Than People.”

Kristoff, besides the sharing carrots with Sven thing, absolutely earned his rank amongst the Disney Princes. He is caring and loyal, though he seems cranky at the beginning, though he has a valid reason to be, being an ice seller during an ice storm in the middle of summer, I’d be mad too. He is also our catalyst for bringing the trolls back into frame because they know how to thaw a frozen heart. He is a blend of Elsa and Anna which lets him integrate into their lives so well - if he was too positive he’d just be a carbon copy of Anna and if he was too stuck in his solitude attitude he’d just be a different version of Elsa. There is also that part of us that roots for him even though we know Anna and Hans are “together.” He cares so deeply for Anna that he is willing to set his feelings aside to make sure he does what is best for her, even if it isn’t, aka taking her back to Hans. When he understands his feelings are too big to just thrust to the side he comes back to Anna and this is even before he knows that Hans has thrown her away like a dirty tissue.

Let’s talk Olaf. While he may not be everyone’s cup of tea he is one of the most loyal sidekicks. He is a ball of joy and he is willing to die for the people he loves even if he doesn’t fully understand how or why, he knows this is the right decision for Anna when he decides “some people are worth melting for.” Also, “In Summer,” is just a banger, like between all of these plot songs you get a fun silly song about a snowman fantasying about summer. He’s a perfect blend of comedic relief and making you feel emotions you didn’t know you had at nine years old when he gives himself up for his friends.

Back to those trolls. They scare everyone into submission of not even letting Elsa understand herself and therefore making Anna and Elsa virtually strangers. Even when they are reintroduced they don’t do much except outwardly show that Anna and Kristoff have feelings for each other. All the while, they talk about getting rid of Hans just so Kristoff can take his place in Anna’s heart, but he doesn’t need their help in that. Though I love the song, I can’t get behind their mission. While they’re a supportive family to Kristoff and Sven they completely tear apart Elsa and Anna’s family and they rebuild it themselves without the help of the trolls. The trolls don’t even tell them that it can be sisterly love it doesn’t even have to be romantic love.

The love Anna and Elsa have for each other drives the story. You can truly tell they care for each other and it’s so touching to see, even after years there is such a deep attention in keeping the other safe and feeling loved. The animation as well, just “Let it Go” in a whole, and the scene where they meet Olaf in the forest is some of the most gorgeous animation. Everything flows so well together, it feels like you are completely stepping into the story.

Also, Demi’s version of “Let it Go” as the end credits song does not have to go as hard as it does and it makes me feel so powerful.

If you haven’t rewatched this movie in a while I recommend a rewatch :)

Let me know how you feel about Frozen or just anything at all in the comments - I do look at all of them and would love to know what you think!

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Thanks for reading :) <3