Frozen (2013)

Genre: Fantasy, Animation

Running time: 108 minutes

A fair warning. If you don't wish to see spoilers, better skip reading this, because I may write some hints on the story that may spoil you.

A Tale of Two Sisters

Frozen is Disney and Pixar's rendition of Hans Christian Andersen's story, The Snow Queen.

It takes place in the kingdom of Arendelle, and focuses on the story of sisters, Elsa and Anna. Elsa, the older of the sisters, has the power to manipulate snow and ice. Beautiful as it may seem, every blessing can become a curse.

Not just another fairytale

Disney and Pixar did it again with this masterpiece! If you think Frozen is another prince saving the princess thing, you're mistaken. Frozen's story is all about family, specifically about siblings. On the first several minutes of the movie, I already got myself sobbing, and the last time this happened was when I watched Wreck-It Ralph.

Just like Brave, it breaks from the typical fairytales we know of. And it doesn't end there. There are several other common fairytale elements that Frozen deviated from like: 1.) Having similarities with someone you have just met for the first time is not true love. 2.) True love is not limited to lovers, but to families, friends, and relatives as well. 3.) The prince is not always the knight in shining armor -- he can be anyone, even a commoner.

Music and magic

Watching Frozen is like watching an animated musical. The start of the movie already gave me goosebumps with the introductory musical number. Plus, the music adds more feel to the story, which is why I ended up sobbing on the earlier parts of the movie.

As for the technicalities, I expected nothing less from Pixar. The animation is flawless, as if you can also feel the weight of the cloth when Elsa and Anna move. Also the part where Anna was walking towards the shack after the lower half of her body got soaked in water -- you can see how her dress also froze and how she walks so stiff because her legs were freezing.

The texturing is amazing as well. I was amazed of the ice, and the texturing on the princesses' skin, wherein you can see their freckles.

While watching the movie, I couldn't help but stare and marvel at the freckles on Anna's skin.

Let It Go

Taking a deeper look at Frozen, it sort of also tackles about agoraphobia and fear itself, in general. Elsa, having traumatized over putting her younger sister's life in danger when they were children, developed a fear of getting in contact with others because of her powers. This is why she was secluded from her sister and to the outside world, so she could learn to control her powers. At the same time, she has also closed off her heart, being 'cold' and adamant as ice, as she was told to "conceal and never feel." In accordance to that, gloves have served as her comfort item, which conceals her powers to freeze whatever she touches with her bare hands.

Later on, we see a totally different side of her in a different kind of solitude wherein she has finally broken free from the rules, responsibilities, and the people around her. By living in solitude, she lost the fear to use her powers. However, that didn't last long when her sister arrived.

Though it may be difficult to get over a trauma and a phobia, with the help of her younger sister, she was able to overcome her fear.

Aside from Anna, another bold character we have is Olaf. Olaf, is not just there for comical purposes -- he is also the embodiment of Anna and Elsa's sisterly love, as he was the snowman that the sisters made when they were children. Even if he was finally aware of the fact that heat can make him melt, he didn't seem too scared of it, and in fact, ironic as it may sound, he actually likes it. Well, he did say he likes hugs, and hugs are warm and nice.

So to say, Frozen is not just a movie about family, but also about confronting your fears. Hence, this also makes an inspirational movie for those who are suffering from agoraphobia and other fears as well.

Anime Review: Tales of Symphonia ~Tethe'alla Hen~

The characters. (Clockwise from right): Regal Bryant, Presea Combatir, Refill (Raine) Sage, Genis Sage, Colette Brunel, Lloyd Irving, Sheena Fujibayashi with Corrine, and Zelos Wilder.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Summary:

Based on the video game from Namco of the same name, Tales of Symphonia ~Tethe’alla-hen~ continues where it left off in its first OVA, the Sylvarant-hen. It continues the adventures of Lloyd Irving, Genis Sage, and Refill (Raine in the U.S. version) Sage, as they find a way to return Colette Brunel, Lloyd and Genis’s friend who is the Chosen of Sylvarant, back to normal. From Lloyd’s hometown, Sylvarant, they are accompanied by the assassin, Sheena Fujibayashi as they travel towards Tethe’alla, the world where she came from. Upon arriving at Tethe’alla, they are welcomed by Zelos Wilder, who is Tethe’alla’s Chosen. Along the way, they encounter Regal Bryant, a noble turned prisoner who was hired to kill Zelos, and Presea Combatir, a girl who lost her heart because of an ex-sphere experiment. Not only must they protect Sylvarant’s Chosen, but they need to save both worlds, Sylvarant and Tethe’alla, from destruction. With more allies now, will Lloyd and company be able to restore Colette and save both worlds from the Renegades and the Cruxis?

Judgement:

Tethe’alla-hen had a very good jump start. The start of the first episode is already action-packed, and it went straight to the point after the brief introduction from where it left off in Sylvarant-hen, in case some people missed it, or forgot it. Though, I can say that there are still probably a lot of differences between the anime and the game, and it is fast-paced. But still, the anime doesn’t divert from the game’s main storyline, and narrates it direct to the point. The quality of the visuals is very good, and the animations are really good, especially the fight scenes. The soundtrack is very catchy, particularly its opening, “Tenkuu no Canaria” performed by Nana Mizuki, Colette’s seiyuu. The ending songs, “Inori no Kanata” and “Tethe’alla ~Tai no Kodomo Tachi~” gives the series an RPG-feel, and with Akiko Shikata performing them, she gave those songs a sort of mystifying feel.

Visual: 10/10

Story: 8/10
Soundtrack: 9/10

(Posted last year from my other blog… XP)

Anime Review: Gundam 00

The protagonists (Gundam Meisters) of ”Gundam 00” and their Gundams. (From left to right) Lockon Stratos and Gundam Dynames, Allelujah Haptism and Gundam Kyrios, Setsuna F. Seiei and Gundam Exia, and Tieria Erde and Gundam Virtue.

Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Science fiction, Military

Summary:

     The year is A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth are depleted, and humans are now relying on a new source of energy: Solar energy. However, the distribution of solar energy is not evenly distributed because it is controlled by Earth’s three major powers, namely: Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations, (Union; United States of America),Human Reform League (HRL; Russia, India, and China), and Advanced European Union (AEU.) Because of this, constant warfare has erupted across the globe. A mysterious organization called, Celestial Being, appears to bring its message of eradicating war — stopping all conflicts and possible causes of conflicts. Celestial Being uses weapons called "Gundam" to fulfill their goal. The story follows the four Gundam pilots, (called "Gundam Meisters") Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism, and Tieria Erde.

The Gundam Meisters and their Gundams four years after the final battle between the United Nations Forces and Celestial Being. (From left to right) Lockon Stratos and Gundam Cherudim, Tieria Erde and Gundam Seravee, Setsuna F. Seiei and Gundam 00, and Allelujah Haptism and Gundam Kyrios.

     Four years after the United Nations Forces won against the battle against Celestial Being, humanity established the Earth Sphere Federation. A private military force known as the Autonomous Peace-Keeping Force, or A-Laws, has also been formed to further unify nations and the will of mankind, and to dispose rebel forces such as Katharon. Unknown to the public, A-Laws is just using their so-called objective as a front for oppressing freedom, doctrines, and ideologies. Celestial Being, aware of A-Laws’ misuse of power, rises again to stop it, aided by Katharon. Unknown to them, another group called Innovators, are the ones who are actually manipulating the conflict, claiming that they are carrying out Aeolia Schenberg’s true plan.

I AM GUNDAM!:

     Gundam 00 is directed by Seiji Mizushima, the same director for Fullmetal Alchemist. The series somewhat resembles Gundam Wing at first, but 00 has a deeper and very intriguing storyline, combining religion, mecha, and current social issues. It shows that even in the future, some of our current social and economic issues still remain. And the issue about fossil fuels running out, and replaced by solar energy, in which nations will start fighting over, is a possibility that could happen sometime in the future. The character development's quite good, too. Not only did the events and their actions caused the world to change, but they also managed to change themselves. The visuals are detailed and the animations are smooth. It has the right amount of drama, action, and romance. Not to mention that the battle scenes are good. The soundtrack is also pretty good.

Visuals: 9/10

Story: 10/10

Soundtrack: 8/10

This has been a republished old review, haha... XD