Disney's Frozen - Part 1

[X Knight]

hmm....weird. I'll just post the links to the images instead.

edit: Here's the post again with the links.

hmmmmm......

early concept art of Elsa and Anna ( if real ) hints at what could have been a much different sister dynamic and a much different Elsa!!

Elsa!! What are you doing to Anna!!

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/frozen/images/35612444/title/anna-elsa-concept-art-photo

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/frozen/images/35612431/title/anna-elsa-concept-art-photo

 

[jmc]

Ok, so the film finally came out today down here. I will say this, the first trailer of this movie didn't blow me away and as a result I pretty much had no interest in this movie. When the reviews came in I took notice once again, and I'm pleased to say they are 100% correct. Frozen is another notch in Disney's fairytale belt, with great characters, good story, good music, lots of laughs and plenty of fun.

I will congratulate Disney for more or less breaking their own mold, since Snow White every one of the princess stories tend to revolve around the same lovey-dovey finding a prince cliche. Instead what we're given is the story of love between two sisters and the lengths one will go to save the other, and it's a stroke of genius because it immediately makes the film stand out amongst every other fairytale princess story in the Disney library. Whilst there are elements of the typical 'true-love' nonsense Frozen actually flips that concept on its head, and even has fun with it pointing out the absurdity of the idea of traditional fairytale courtships.

The characters are simply fantastic, Anna is adorable and has so much heart whilst Elsa is heartbreaking to watch sometimes. The one downside I believe is that Elsa never really changes from being a recluse, I would have like to have seen her at some point start walking towards a darker path only to have her sister's love pull her back. Whilst the film doesn't really have a villain I do believe there should have been a moment where Elsa should have seen what she might become, because ultimately I don't feel as if Anna actually 'saved' her to the degree she should have. Whilst the other characters are fine Olaf is without doubt the best who delivered probably the best lines of the movie.

As for the music, the songs for the most part don't seem very memorable, although they are still solid tracks. Elsa's song 'Let It Go' might very well be the best song in the film, and yet it feels strangely out of place compared to the rest of the music. It's a very contemporary piece of music. That said the visuals that accompany the song are stunning and without doubt the best footage in the film, it works as a music video in and of itself with the fantastic vocals of Idina Menzel belting out the lyrics.

In terms of design, the film is possibly the most desaturated Disney film I've seen with a strong blue hue colour pallet with accents of colour (mostly purple) throughout. The design of the character seems a little repeated from Rapunzel however, in fact you'd be forgiven for thinking Anna and Rupunzel were the sisters such is the closeness in their likeness. Whilst the set designs aren't much to write about the Snow Queen's castle looks amazing, the construction of which during Elsa's song is awesome.

Overall this might not be at the top of most people's Disney movie list, but it's a solid entry into the fairytale series and a fantastic follow up to Rapunzel. One criticism I will make - Disney, stop with the freakin' generic titles, just call it The Snow Queen and be done with it.

8/10

 

[sueb1863]

Were Elsa and Anna always sisters in the Disney story? In the second image it looks like Anna might be more like Gerda from the original story, with the Snow Queen threatening her.

 

[X Knight]

according to the Disney wiki.........

it seems at one point, Elsa/The Snow Queen was not Anna's sister and was a more traditional villain. later, they made her Anna's sister, but still kept her as the villain ( who would have reformed in the end ).

those pieces of concept art perhaps reflect that dynamic ( Elsa as the villain ), as they suggest a much more antagonistic relationship between the 2.

early Elsa would also have been "very arrogant, stubborn and resentful, and constantly angry for holding her powers back and constantly blaming everything on everyone including Anna."

And here's what the Disney wiki has to say about Let It Go:

"Let It Go" was the first song that Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez wrote for the film. The duo took inspiration from other Disney films such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and contemporary artists including Lady Gaga and Adele. Although unintentional, the song's composition was pivotal in the film's characterization of Elsa. Originally written as a villain, co-directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee gradually rewrote Elsa as one of the film's protagonists.

Anderson-Lopez and Lopez specifically wrote the song for Idina Menzel, referring to her as "one of the most glorious voices of Broadway and an icon in musical theater". Menzel's vocal range was taken under consideration during the music's composition.

 

[X Knight]

Box Office Mojo has the estimates for Tues. and Wed. up.

Tues. - $4,782,000
Wed. - $6,340,000

for an estimated total BO of $210,399,000!!

very nice!!

 

[sueb1863]

It was #7 on Wednesday. Some big movies opened Wednesday and pushed it down.

Interesting that Let It Go was originally written for Villain Elsa. Some of the lyrics don't sound as if they've been changed - "No right or wrong, no rules for me" and such. Take off the sympathetic first verse at the very beginning and it could easily be sung by a villain.

 

[DrCosmic]

I also liked this movie a great deal.

Spoiler

I think it's pretty awesome that the romance song turned out to be the villain song.

Spoilers for a Disney movie. Haven't had that since

Spoiler

Mufassa died.

I also would have liked Elsa a little darker, but that's only in retrospect, and in comparison to other Disney films. The actual experience itself is awesome.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

I also liked this movie a great deal.

Spoiler

I think it's pretty awesome that the romance song turned out to be the villain song.

Spoilers for a Disney movie. Haven't had that since

Spoiler

Mufassa died.

I also would have liked Elsa a little darker, but that's only in retrospect, and in comparison to other Disney films. The actual experience itself is awesome.

You haven't had what since Mufasa died?

 

[jmc]

I also would have liked Elsa a little darker, but that's only in retrospect, and in comparison to other Disney films. The actual experience itself is awesome.

Yeah, I really wanted to see her turn a bit darker. They didn't even really flirt with the concept which I think makes Anna's journey less fulfilling because ultimately she never really saves Elsa. Even when Elsa is being attacked she uses her powers for defensive purposes only and is reluctant to use them. I understand the need to have Elsa be equally likeable as her sister but there should have been a moment, even a fleeting glimpse of what should could become.

 

[X Knight]

I actually like that Elsa wasn't dark. it's a refreshing change to have the "outcast character" who feels misunderstood, conflicted, and fearful NOT be dark, evil, bitter, etc.

and considering the early direction they were planning on taking her character, I'm very glad we got the character we ultimately got.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

I will say that the film did play against expectations.

Spoiler

For one, when I first heard about it I expected Elsa to be the villain of the story. And two, I expected the old man to be the villain when reading about the characters online a few months ago. That Hans twist was crazy.

I think it's good that it wasn't what people expected.

 

[X Knight]

I will say that the film did play against expectations.

Spoiler

For one, when I first heard about it I expected Elsa to be the villain of the story. And two, I expected the old man to be the villain when reading about the characters online a few months ago. That Hans twist was crazy.

I think it's good that it wasn't what people expected.

same here.

I, too, was expecting Elsa to be the villain. However, when the 1st 3d models of Anna and Elsa "leaked" online ( despite Disney saying they weren't official ), I was very surprised at how pretty Elsa was!!

She looked a bit mischievous, but certainly not villainous. She was way too pretty to be a Disney villain.....lol. Coincidentally ( or perhaps not ), it was around that time when word started coming out that Elsa was going to join Anna as a Disney Princess and that she would be the secondary protagonist.

So then, I thought the old Duke guy was the main villain, naturally. And that's the direction they were leading us towards.

As for Hans.....

Spoiler

I spoiled myself of that twist by reading an Elsa fan's facebook page, and she posted excerpts from the books/novels. Needless to say, I was shocked!! I certainly didn't see that coming!! I was like....."Damn!! That's cold what he did to Anna!!

 

[jmc]

Not that I'm really complaining but from a merchandising perspective does anyone else think they made Elsa way too hot looking when she turned into the Snow Queen?

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

same here.

I, too, was expecting Elsa to be the villain. However, when the 1st 3d models of Anna and Elsa "leaked" online ( despite Disney saying they weren't official ), I was very surprised at how pretty Elsa was!!

She looked a bit mischievous, but certainly not villainous. She was way too pretty to be a Disney villain.....lol. Coincidentally ( or perhaps not ), it was around that time when word started coming out that Elsa was going to join Anna as a Disney Princess and that she would be the secondary protagonist.

So then, I thought the old Duke guy was the main villain, naturally. And that's the direction they were leading us towards.

As for Hans.....

Spoiler

I spoiled myself of that twist by reading an Elsa fan's facebook page, and she posted excerpts from the books/novels. Needless to say, I was shocked!! I certainly didn't see that coming!! I was like....."Damn!! That's cold what he did to Anna!!

It's good that a Disney film can keep us on our toes like that. And I can't believe you spoiled it for yourself! Oh, X.

Will you be watching Big Hero 6 next year? It's not a princess movie, but it will be Disney's first animated movie taking inspiration from a Marvel comic. I think that's so awesome.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

Not that I'm really complaining but from a merchandising perspective does anyone else think they made Elsa way too hot looking when she turned into the Snow Queen?

lol, not at all.

She was actually quite cold looking.

 

[terry78]

This may be the first time in a Disney flick where the villain actually was not set up from the beginning. Every other movie you see pretty much who the bad guy is gonna be because they either look it or just act like an ******* right off. This time the bad guy was just smart about it and kept that **** to themselves until they knew they were in the clear.

 

[jmc]

lol, not at all.

She was actually quite cold looking.

Can you really see them marketing Elsa costumes for girls?

 

[X Knight]

Not that I'm really complaining but from a merchandising perspective does anyone else think they made Elsa way too hot looking when she turned into the Snow Queen?

and that's a problem because???????

It's good that a Disney film can keep us on our toes like that. And I can't believe you spoiled it for yourself! Oh, X.

Will you be watching Big Hero 6 next year? It's not a princess movie, but it will be Disney's first animated movie taking inspiration from a Marvel comic. I think that's so awesome.

Well, I'm a Raven, now. But I guess X is ok, too........lol

As for Big Hero 6, I'm not sure. I really do prefer the princess fairy tale musicals. I mean, I have yet to see Wreck It Ralph, even though it's video-game themed and that should appeal to me more as a guy......lol

OTOH, I did enjoy the Incredibles, so if Big Hero 6 is similar to that, I might give it a look. But the story and characters have to interest me first.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

Can you really see them marketing Elsa costumes for girls?

Yeah, something like this is fine.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

and that's a problem because???????



Well, I'm a Raven, now. But I guess X is ok, too........lol

As for Big Hero 6, I'm not sure. I really do prefer the princess fairy tale musicals. I mean, I have yet to see Wreck It Ralph, even though it's video-game themed and that should appeal to me more as a guy......lol

OTOH, I did enjoy the Incredibles, so if Big Hero 6 is similar to that, I might give it a look. But the story and characters have to interest me first.

Oh, okay. I understand where you're coming from. And I just call you X because it's the consistent letter with all of your names.

 

[X Knight]

I really wish they'd get Elsa's hair color right........

sometimes it's blonde. sometimes it's white.........

make your mind up people!!

 

[X Knight]

Oh, okay. I understand where you're coming from. And I just call you X because it's the consistent letter with all of your names.

that is........true.

btw.....do you like Raven X as a name? Did you like X Knight better?

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

that is........true.

btw.....do you like Raven X as a name? Did you like X Knight better?

I liked X Knight better, but Raven X is fine too.

 

[X Knight]

I liked X Knight better, but Raven X is fine too.

And......POOF!!!

With a bit of Disney Magic, I have shed my black Raven wings and X Knight will rise once more like the break of dawn!!

t:

Actually, it's all due to the magic of the most benevolent and generous of mods, Hunter Rider!! Thanks Hunter!! t:

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

And......POOF!!!

With a bit of Disney Magic, I have shed my black Raven wings and X Knight will rise once more like the break of dawn!!

t:

Actually, it's all due to the magic of the most benevolent and generous of mods, Hunter Rider!! Thanks Hunter!! t:

Damn, that was quick!