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.