Frozen. Most people have some sort of association with the movie, whether it’s a pleasant childhood reminiscence, a groan at yet another reminder of Let it Go, or all-out excitement. I fall into the third category.

From the sisters to the music, and the magic to the plot, Frozen is a spectacular movie.

One of the many things that makes Frozen unique is the characters. Anna and Elsa are the most popular characters in the movie, and for good reason. While they have contrasting personalities, it’s beautiful to see the way their love for each other bonds them together throughout the film, even when they get into arguments. 

Anna is bouncy, lively, and energetic, making her a lovable and relatable character while Elsa, who is more of a reserved introvert, is sincere and loves people, especially Anna, deeply, which shapes most of her actions throughout the movie.

Their relationship has an added value for me since I am a younger sister myself. My sister and I were very close when we were young, but since she’s six and a half years older than me, when she grew up and started getting this mythical thing called “homework” that she “had” to do, I often found myself outside her closed door, asking her to play with me. Even though my sister still spent a significant amount of time with me, I felt an emotional connection to Anna.

Olaf is arguably one of the most lovable characters in Frozen. He is lighthearted, friendly, naive,  and unique in the sense that he is a magical snowman created by the sisters. He provides a source of connection throughout the movie for Anna and Elsa, while representing a time when they were close to each other. He also brings a strong sense of humor to the movie, always making me smile at his love for summer and warm hugs, despite the fact that he is a snowman and therefore meltable.

When it comes down to it, I really like all of the characters in Frozen. Even the villains, the Duke of Weselton and Hans, are well-written characters and worthy of their roles. The Duke is entertaining and humorous, despite his dark motives, and the movie wouldn’t be the same without him.

Hans is a character that seems innocent and genuine enough at first, which makes his change of character more surprising. When Hans’ true nature is revealed, I appreciated the simplicity of his character.

Despite his deception, it is clear that he is the villain and it is nice that there is not a complicated backstory to make the viewer question what is right and what is wrong, as so many other movies have started doing.

I also appreciate the fact that Frozen does not try to claim that people should avoid falling in love and should not get married (Kristoff is evidence of that). Instead, it supports the idea that people should first take time to get to know the other person in contrast to the love at first sight of some other Disney movies. Even though I still like those movies, that is not something people see in real life that often and therefore not as relatable as a love that takes time to grow or a sisterly love.

In addition to its characters, the graphics and visuals in Frozen are excellent. Elsa’s magic is beautiful while also looking natural as if it’s a part of her. The detail, intricacy, and refractions of light put into all of the snowflakes, ice, and snow is stunning and creates a mesmerizing effect. 

Arendelle and its surrounding landscape are visually appealing and an excellent backdrop for the movie, showing Arendelle’s separation and isolation from the mountains and other kingdoms while also highlighting the effect of Elsa’s magic on the landscape as her ice sweeps across the fjord.

For me, the abundance of snow and cold weather in Frozen has an added interest. Having lived in Bryan my whole life, snowy landscapes have been rare, though I have been more exposed to cold environments than many since I’ve taken ice skating lessons since around second grade (which only increased my love for wintry weather).

Growing up, I longed to live in a place where it actually snowed each winter, though much to my confusion, the people I talked with who had lived in such a place mostly only complained about how icy and dangerous the roads would get and the pain of shoveling snow.

When Elsa freezes all of Arendelle, instead of seeing the danger and inevitable downsides of an eternal winter that everyone is unprepared for, all I (and many other viewers, I’m sure) could see was a snow-filled paradise. Frozen conveyed winter in the beautiful way I always imagined a frozen landscape to look like.

Frozen’s music is one more thing that makes this movie so great. It is catchy and exciting while mixing classic fairy tale elements creating something completely of its own. Let it Go is a great song that is about Elsa finally releasing all of her pent-up emotions and fears by just letting them go through the creation of her stunning ice palace.

My personal favorite, “For the First Time in Forever”, is a bubbly, exciting song about the gates finally opening for Elsa’s coronation, an event anticipated by Anna and Elsa for years. I love the energy and carefree spirit that Anna puts into it, expressing her desire to finally spend time with other people.

For the first time in forever, there is a movie that surpasses all of the movies I have seen before. It shows beauty in a snow-filled world and the greatness of sisterly love. Frozen is an incredible movie that is in a category all of its own.