Movie Commentary: Frozen

Movie Commentary: Frozen

This isn't really a review as I'm not really a movie reviewer. This blog has more to do with books and poetry. That being said, I feel justified in writing this based on two things:

1. What I have to say about Frozen ties into books and
2. This is my blog, so I can be as consistent as I please.

I saw Frozen tonight and it was an excellent movie. The characters were interesting and fresh, the songs were wonderfully done, and the plot bucks some clichés for some good plot twists and a satisfying ending overall. Not a perfect movie, but worth watching and watching again.

But in the end, what I really wanted after watching this movie was to read the book that doesn't exist.

I wanted some of the story filled in for a stronger impact - more interactions between the sisters, more psychological insight into their characters because what is there is already compelling - two different ways of dealing with loneliness and isolation, two different yet relatable struggles. I can feel a lot of what is going on in the songs, which, I repeat, were lovely, but I also wanted to see more of it as well. I wanted to understand them better, both of them.

And then there are the characters of Hans and Kristoff - also complex characters different from what I've come to expect. But I don't get enough of them. Not to reveal anything to those who don't like spoilers, but I wanted to understand their feelings towards Anna better because neither of them are appear to be entirely surface characters to me, though some may believe otherwise. And without a book to have more scenes and more interactions, how are we to know? I enjoy movies (a book doesn't have a lovely soundtrack), but oftentimes the time limit it imposes leaves me wanting more.

Another reason I wanted to read the book of Frozen that doesn't exist is because the movie cuts some of its central messages short because of it being a movie. Again, no spoilers, but even while trying to say that true love isn't found in a day the primary action of the movie takes place in a single day. A book could've prolonged it and thereby added time to both flesh out the characters and additionally strengthen its themes.

That being said, as I've stated before, I'd miss the music, the visuals were lovely, and some things are easier shown than written. So I'm glad for the movie. Go watch the movie and enjoy it. I only wish there were also a book that I could dive into afterwards to be frozen there for a while.

(P.S. I love this song)