Frozen (Disney) - Review

Rating: 4 out of 5

IT MAY sound like a contradiction but Disney’s Frozen is a film to warm the cockles of your heart!

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen and co-directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, this offers a hugely enjoyable mix of Disney tradition, subtle genre subversion, top-drawer animation, lively songs and memorable characters. It’s a film the whole family can enjoy that already looks destined for classic status.

The story follows two sisters, Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) whose close sibling bond is threatened by the latter’s ability to turn anything she touches into ice.

Separated by wary parents keen to keep Elsa’s power a secret, the two are eventually reunited at Elsa’s coronation. But when Anna inadvertently exposes her sister’s power, prompting Elsa to flee and turn their magical kingdom into ice, she faces a race against time to be reunited and break the spell.

In doing so, she enlists the help of a rugged ice salesman, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his loyal reindeer and a hapless, eternally optimistic snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad).

Disney’s latest deserves credit for the way in which it embraces classic elements of animations old (from princesses to true love’s kisses) with elements that feel fresh and contemporary (whether in its use of a feisty heroine or knowing humour).

It also takes time to create characters that are worth caring about, with vocal performers Bell, Menzel and Goff all putting in good work.

The scene-stealers are, of course, Olaf and Sven, the reindeer, who steal all of the very best lines or moments – although a family of loveable trolls also come close whenever they appear.

But this is the type of film that endears on just about every level, whether in its beautiful animations, catchy songs or sustained ability to keep you interested with character development and even the odd twist. It’s a fun romp of  a film that looks set to enjoy a very long life.

Certificate: PG

Running time: 100mins

UK Release Date: December 6, 2013

• This marked Luca Gian's first preview - and first film at the cinema (Odeon Leicester Square).