"Frozen" comes out on DVD this week, and we can't think of a better month for the film to be released. Not only did the $1-billion-grossing phenomenon just win two memorable Academy Awards on March 2nd, but let's face it, for a bulk of the country, it's been a frozen state of mind this winter -- even as we supposedly approach Spring on the calendar. March is also Women's History Month, and "Frozen" is one of Disney's most girl-empowering Princess films. But of course, the movie's inspiring messages about conquering your fears and letting love guide you are universal, so we're celebrating "Frozen's" DVD release with a tribute to it and five other Disney films with exemplary messages for viewers of all ages.
Since "Frozen" was loosely inspired by "The Snow Queen" (by Hans Christian Andersen), Elsa was originally going to be a villain. But the filmmakers believed that keeping Elsa as the typical "Snow Queen" antagonist would shift the story's focus away from what they believed was it's most important message.
"We loved the powerful idea of love versus fear, but the minute Elsa became evil, the good versus evil theme took over, and it was really frustrating for us" director Jennifer Lee told Moviefone. "I think 'Let It Go' allowed us to show ourselves and the other story artists and filmmakers that there was more to do with Elsa, that it was more exciting when we made her complex and conflicted and not a villain."
So the filmmakers went back to the drawing board (literally), and rewrote the story with Elsa as the character who has to "let go" of her fears and embrace her sister Anna's love. And for the directors, each of the main characters represents a different form of love, from Olaf's childlike innocence and Anna's eternal optimism to Kristoff opening himself to Anna, and of course the over-arching bond between the two sisters.
"I believe that the story comes down to: don't be afraid of who you are. Embrace what makes you you, because standing out can be a powerful tool for your voice to be heard," director Christopher Buck told Moviefone.
Did You Know? The filmmakers, including executive producer John Lasseter, director Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho, and art director Michael Giaimo took research trips to Canada's famous Hotel du Glace in Quebec City for inspiration. The visits helped the Disney animation team accurately depict ice structures.
"There's so much of this place in Elsa's palace. You can really see the inspiration and how it helped us," Buck said of the Hotel du Glace.
More Positive Messages: Each movie has several messages and themes, but we've chosen to highlight one from the following five Disney films from the last 10 years.
Disney Movies With Positive Messages:
1. "Brave"
Be true to yourself.
Clever, wild-haired Merida is not the least bit interested in dressing like an uptight royal, securing a politically beneficial betrothal, or otherwise acting like a "proper" princess. Much to her mother Queen Elinor's chagrin, Merida wants to remain independent and free – not forced to marry some rival clan's firstborn. Although she makes some selfish mistakes (um, like accidentally turning her mum into a bear), Merida (and the Queen) realize that even an honor-bound princess can be plucky and utterly herself. (Also see: "Planes," "Ratatouille")
Since "Frozen" was loosely inspired by "The Snow Queen" (by Hans Christian Andersen), Elsa was originally going to be a villain. But the filmmakers believed that keeping Elsa as the typical "Snow Queen" antagonist would shift the story's focus away from what they believed was it's most important message.
"We loved the powerful idea of love versus fear, but the minute Elsa became evil, the good versus evil theme took over, and it was really frustrating for us" director Jennifer Lee told Moviefone. "I think 'Let It Go' allowed us to show ourselves and the other story artists and filmmakers that there was more to do with Elsa, that it was more exciting when we made her complex and conflicted and not a villain."
So the filmmakers went back to the drawing board (literally), and rewrote the story with Elsa as the character who has to "let go" of her fears and embrace her sister Anna's love. And for the directors, each of the main characters represents a different form of love, from Olaf's childlike innocence and Anna's eternal optimism to Kristoff opening himself to Anna, and of course the over-arching bond between the two sisters.
"I believe that the story comes down to: don't be afraid of who you are. Embrace what makes you you, because standing out can be a powerful tool for your voice to be heard," director Christopher Buck told Moviefone.
Did You Know? The filmmakers, including executive producer John Lasseter, director Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho, and art director Michael Giaimo took research trips to Canada's famous Hotel du Glace in Quebec City for inspiration. The visits helped the Disney animation team accurately depict ice structures.
"There's so much of this place in Elsa's palace. You can really see the inspiration and how it helped us," Buck said of the Hotel du Glace.
More Positive Messages: Each movie has several messages and themes, but we've chosen to highlight one from the following five Disney films from the last 10 years.
Disney Movies With Positive Messages:
1. "Brave"
Be true to yourself.
Clever, wild-haired Merida is not the least bit interested in dressing like an uptight royal, securing a politically beneficial betrothal, or otherwise acting like a "proper" princess. Much to her mother Queen Elinor's chagrin, Merida wants to remain independent and free – not forced to marry some rival clan's firstborn. Although she makes some selfish mistakes (um, like accidentally turning her mum into a bear), Merida (and the Queen) realize that even an honor-bound princess can be plucky and utterly herself. (Also see: "Planes," "Ratatouille")
2. "Monsters University"
Failure can ultimately lead to success.
It's rare for a kid-friendly flick to deals with failure and disappointment, but leave it to the folks at Pixar to explore how an unrealized dream can actually be a good thing. Mike Wazowski -- as we all know from "Monsters, Inc." -- becomes one of the top scare assistants in all of Monstropolis, but once upon a time the clever little monster hoped to be an actual scarer. That dream doesn't work out, but he befriends Sulley, rallies the Oozma Kappa brothers, and learns that the path to success is unpredictable.
Don't judge others based on superficialities.
3. "The Princess and the Frog"
Don't judge others based on superficialities.
Prince Naveen (in frog form) assumes Tiana is a princess, because of how she's dressed. Tiana thinks Naveen will transform back into a prince and help her buy her dream restaurant space. Both are wrong about each other, but eventually Tiana sees past Naveen's vanity, and Naveen realizes Tiana is much more than "just a waitress." Sometimes it's not an obvious "beast" you have to see beyond, but an initial misconception about a person's worth or character. (Also see: "Beauty and the Beast")
Don't be afraid of your strength.
4. "Tangled"
Don't be afraid of your strength.
Like Elsa in "Frozen," Rapunzel possesses a magical power that she's not exactly sure how to wield or control. Rapunzel's "mother" taught her to be afraid of others out to use her magical healing tresses for their own greedy needs. But after Rapunzel meet-cutes Flynn Rider, she seizes her hair to help and protect herself and her new friend. She isn't frightened of her strength, and for the first time, discovers just how powerful she is without her overbearing Mother around to control her. (Also see: "The Incredibles," "Mulan")
5. "Up"
Unexpected friends can change your life.
Lonely widower Carl Fredricksen is pretty antisocial in his grief. All he wants to do is travel to Paradise Falls in his beloved Ellie's memory, and he has zero time to entertain Wilderness Explorer Russell, who hopes to earn a merit badge for assisting the elderly. But when Russell winds up an accidental passenger on Carl's flying house, the two unlikely travel partners eventually learn to trust, help, and rescue each other. As a result of their unforgettable adventure, the curmudgeon and the scout become like family. (Also see: "Finding Nemo," "Monsters Inc.")
Related Disney news:
Blu-ray Release: Saving Mr. Banks
Review- -Frozen- Blu-ray Warms My Heart
Celebrate Release of ‘Frozen’ on Blu-ray Combo Pack at Once Upon a Toy on March 18, 2014
Related Disney news:
Blu-ray Release: Saving Mr. Banks
Review- -Frozen- Blu-ray Warms My Heart
Celebrate Release of ‘Frozen’ on Blu-ray Combo Pack at Once Upon a Toy on March 18, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment