Frozen review

I have not seen enough animated films this year.

I saw so many trailers for Frozen previously that made it look like something entirely different from what it is. I'm gonna have to suggest that you don't trust the ad campaign, because Frozen is so much better than it sounds.

The general plot summary of the film is that Anna, the princess of Arendelle, has to save her home from her sister Elsa, who has trapped it in eternal winter. Describing the film like this does prevent too many spoilers, but also gives the wrong impression, as Anna's quest happens after a long period of setup for both her character and Elsa's. From a story perspective, Frozen flirts heavily with cliches, which may be due to the tale it's based on having aged poorly. However, the story is consistently engaging, even if its many twists and turns are fairly predictable. This is in no small part thanks to the excellent writing and presentation.

The dialogue is extremely well-written, to the extent that I'd say every single line is fantastic. The way the story is put together also works very well, even with all the cliches. The story is mostly an epic drama with comedic elements, and both parts work. The comedy is genuinely funny, and is nothing like the trailers. However, much of the film is serious in tone as well, and it also succeeds there, as the excellent characters make the drama work on several levels, being emotional and very compelling. Tonally, Frozen is epic and grandiose, with some absolutely immense set pieces and a soaring combination of music and visuals.

Of note is that this is an animated musical, and the visuals and songs must be praised as well. The animation is absolutely gorgeous, filled with an extreme level of detail and being incredibly fluid. The design of just about everything in this film is absolutely stunning, and seeing it with the way it's presented is jaw-dropping. Speaking of which, the digital camerawork is also great, at times even reaching the level of precision of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire or Gravity. It does a perfect job of showing off the beautiful scenery. As for the songs, they're all catchy, well-written, appropriate for the situation, and extraordinarily fantastic in their composition. In all honesty, it's some of the best music I've heard all year. Even if you don't want to watch the movie in cinemas, seek out the soundtrack. It's worth the investment.

Also of note is the short that airs before the film, a Mickey Mouse cartoon entitled "Get a Horse!". It's a funny, clever piece of slapstick comedy with a visual style that calls back to the oldest Mickey Mouse cartoons. It's no "Paperman", but it's still an enjoyable short cartoon.

Overall, Frozen delivers on all fronts. It's another classic in the Disney canon, with its amazing visuals, writing, and music more than making up for any problems with its story. Even watching it in a packed theater with loud kids didn't detract from the experience. I would strongly recommend watching it in 3D, as that would probably make the visuals look even better. All in all, definitely worth a watch.