Great review! I'm kinda sad that the movie doesn't succeed in every way, but hopefully it will be enjoyable and something I'd like to watch again and again.
Despite it's foibles, it really does succeed at being a fun movie! I'm excited to see it again this weekend. And I think we'll get a lot of good "what-if" discussion out of the picture.
Just saw it and I totally agree with most of what you've said. Your comment that Elsa should have made ice guards to protect herself is pretty spot-on. I didn't think of that, but I know for one thing I was wondering why Hans carried out his evil plan in such an odd roundabout way. Why did he stop Elsa from killing those men and tell her not to be a monster? Was it just to disarm her? Because I feel as though he could have taken that opportunity to turn everyone against her, kill her (which he'd said he was planning to do even before he knew about the magic) and then solve the winter problem and become king with Anna none the wiser. I dunno, it's just strange to me, as you mentioned, that he made his plans known when he did. I agree that it wasn't really in line with his personality since it seemed like up until that point he didn't mind biding his time until he could become king. That was probably the most dissatisfying thing about this movie to me - it doesn't really give us a strong villain to oppose its heroes (and no villain song
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I think you hit the nail on the head in you comment at the d_princesses discussion: Fans are going to like this movie, maybe even love parts of it, but it's overall not a satisfying cinematic experience like we hoped it would be. It took me about two weeks to figure out what I didn't like about the movie. I hope with all the discussion going around it'll take less time for you
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Hans is such a likable character that I seriously still love him even after seeing that he was willing to kill the protagonists of the movie. Of course, the movie does try very hard to make you like him, but this just underscores the fact that none of the other characters made me feel so strongly about them, except Anna. I was more convinced by the falling-in-love montage and song Hans sang with Anna, which even had tons of embedded clues that their relationship was not meant to be long-term (thank youuuuu amazingly clever songwriting team), than I was by Kristoff and Anna. Which is really a problem, because even though Kristoff and Anna's relationship rightfully takes a backseat to Elsa and Anna's, it's still supposed to be the most appealing romantic relationship in the movie, and personally I just wasn't invested in it. Although I do really like the painfully awkward way he asks her if he can kiss her at the end. And I like that the movie ends with their romance just beginning. (I can deal with the fact that Disney is decidedly un-
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I absolutely agree about Hans! He's the second-most developed character in the film behind Anna. By rights Elsa should be as well-developed because her relationship with Anna is supposed to be driving the conflict, but that's not the way the movie worked out. And so, we get a lot of really interesting discussion about Hans. He comes out of Frozen as the most interesting royal character from Disney canon in recent memory.
And Frozen smacks of feminist tokenism in an unsatisfying way. Yes, there were two female leads, the charming prince was untrustworthy, the sororal relationship saved the day, and no one got married at the end. And a girl punches a guy who was mean to her! The directors were trying so much to be progressive, but because the story doesn't drive or support many of these decisions they just ring hollow. It's as if Disney just approved these points so they could say they were trying to reflect modern feminism.
I have brothers instead of sisters, so I thought I may be harder on Frozen because I don't have that sister-to-
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Wonderful review! I am so impressed that you took the time to analyze it so in depth. I only watched it for the first time today and I actually really loved it, but every point you brought up is true. I just didn't notice it while I was watching it, I guess
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Thank you, thank you! It really was just me trying to process the movie on paper and trying to figure out if I could improve on what I felt was lacking.
I'm under the impression that for a long time during Frozen's production, Elsa was actually the villain. So when they felt they needed to switch it up and have her be a misunderstood heroine, there was no other villain to fall back on (it also might explain her personality absence).
From his very abrupt personality change alone, I don't think Hans was originally written to be a scheming bad guy. Maybe he was just going to be a sweetheart Anna would realize she didn't love "truly" and he'd take the disappointment graciously. And the Duke of Weselton really just feels like a tacked-on character - like: We need a character to be a jerk, just design some old guy. I see where you're coming from - the film really could have used a villain from the start who had a more substantial hand in the plot.
Don't worry! You'll see it again and it'll be worth it!
Let's just hope that's Disney meant the Hug of True Sisterhood really can break spells as easily as True Love's Kiss. It also makes me wonder if the High Five of Father-Daughter Togetherness could have broken Aurora's spell as easily.
If you enjoyed the review, I think you'll still have fun seeing the movie!
*lol*! I wrote a short story a little while back that had a girl breaking the curse on her sister because they truly loved one another. (well she *did* kiss her sister, but it was because in some cultures, it is tradition to kiss a loved one on each cheek and then the lips, relative or not). I'm glad that Disney finally put out that True Love could be the love of a family member and is just not romantic.
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Read through it one time, but surely will do it again after i got to see everything myself and can really talk about it :)
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I'm excited for you both to see Frozen (it really is a hoot!) and come back with all that you think about it.
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Despite it's foibles, it really does succeed at being a fun movie! I'm excited to see it again this weekend. And I think we'll get a lot of good "what-if" discussion out of the picture.
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And Frozen smacks of feminist tokenism in an unsatisfying way. Yes, there were two female leads, the charming prince was untrustworthy, the sororal relationship saved the day, and no one got married at the end. And a girl punches a guy who was mean to her! The directors were trying so much to be progressive, but because the story doesn't drive or support many of these decisions they just ring hollow. It's as if Disney just approved these points so they could say they were trying to reflect modern feminism.
I have brothers instead of sisters, so I thought I may be harder on Frozen because I don't have that sister-to- ( ... )
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I'm under the impression that for a long time during Frozen's production, Elsa was actually the villain. So when they felt they needed to switch it up and have her be a misunderstood heroine, there was no other villain to fall back on (it also might explain her personality absence).
From his very abrupt personality change alone, I don't think Hans was originally written to be a scheming bad guy. Maybe he was just going to be a sweetheart Anna would realize she didn't love "truly" and he'd take the disappointment graciously. And the Duke of Weselton really just feels like a tacked-on character - like: We need a character to be a jerk, just design some old guy. I see where you're coming from - the film really could have used a villain from the start who had a more substantial hand in the plot.
Don't worry! You'll see it again and it'll be worth it!
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*is dead*
This is a great read though, I still cant wait to see it.
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If you enjoyed the review, I think you'll still have fun seeing the movie!
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I wrote a short story a little while back that had a girl breaking the curse on her sister because they truly loved one another. (well she *did* kiss her sister, but it was because in some cultures, it is tradition to kiss a loved one on each cheek and then the lips, relative or not).
I'm glad that Disney finally put out that True Love could be the love of a family member and is just not romantic.
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