Comment on you wouldn't understand by aquanut
Another really nice analysis! I wish this theme had been focused on a bit more in the movie, because it's something a lot of people struggle with--I know a few people who would rather try to shut themselves away from the world out of fear of hurting someone or being hurt, even if it means pushing away their closet friends. These people tend to need a friend more than they realize (or would like to realize).
Also, don't think I mentioned this before, but I really love your art style. It's very unique and gorgeous, especially the expressions and colours.
Also, don't think I mentioned this before, but I really love your art style. It's very unique and gorgeous, especially the expressions and colours.
Thanks! I completely agree, I wish the movie had focused more on this theme as well. That was the emotional core of the film to me and I thought it got lost in all the extraneous jokes and the romance subplot. And yeah... the hedgehog's dilemma is a very familiar one to me. I believe in the importance of relationships, but I also believe they should be mutually fulfilling and both people involved should feel validated and respected... I don't believe in trying to push relationships on people who are unreceptive to them, but in trying to make them comfortable enough that they feel safe opening up at their own pace. Regardless of what they "should" or "need to" do, there's usually little use in trying to convince people to change; that tends to just make them feel attacked and grow more stubborn.
Something I really liked in the Life's Too Short outtake song was the fact that Anna starts out complimenting Elsa's "work" and Elsa gets all pleased to be appreciated for her true self and finally starts warming to her sister, but then Anna starts making it clear that she expects Elsa to come back to the society Elsa wanted to escape and be one of them again, and Elsa immediately shuts down and starts pushing Anna out again. That dynamic felt so real and the reason Elsa got so upset was because Anna didn't validate what she wanted; Anna just assumed that the best thing for Elsa would be to go back to living like everyone else she knew. But not everyone is happy living the same way. Perhaps the lonely ice palace was the wrong solution, but I suspect Elsa will never really feel like she fits in with others in Arendelle either, though she'll stay out of love for her sister and duty to her people.
Also, thank you for commenting on the art, I'm happy you like the style, it's nice to hear that it's recognizable!
I think expressions and colors are my favorite things to work with so I'm glad to hear that, thank you!
Something I really liked in the Life's Too Short outtake song was the fact that Anna starts out complimenting Elsa's "work" and Elsa gets all pleased to be appreciated for her true self and finally starts warming to her sister, but then Anna starts making it clear that she expects Elsa to come back to the society Elsa wanted to escape and be one of them again, and Elsa immediately shuts down and starts pushing Anna out again. That dynamic felt so real and the reason Elsa got so upset was because Anna didn't validate what she wanted; Anna just assumed that the best thing for Elsa would be to go back to living like everyone else she knew. But not everyone is happy living the same way. Perhaps the lonely ice palace was the wrong solution, but I suspect Elsa will never really feel like she fits in with others in Arendelle either, though she'll stay out of love for her sister and duty to her people.
Also, thank you for commenting on the art, I'm happy you like the style, it's nice to hear that it's recognizable!
I think expressions and colors are my favorite things to work with so I'm glad to hear that, thank you!I don't think I could have worded your first paragraph more eloquently. Indeed, "Life's Too Short" was very interesting, and would have added a realistic dynamic to their relationship. Even though it was a light-hearted-sounding song, it pretty much reflected what arguments look like between people who have the potential to be close friends. And it would have made Elsa and Anna's reunion/reconciliation at the end of the movie much more powerful. Also, Elsa really speaks conceptually for the people who never quite feel like the fit in with society, but try to anyhow (or have to because not everyone can afford to be a recluse)--and Anna seems to speak conceptually for the people who try to drag all the "Elsas" into society, and/or are willing to befriend them.
And your welcome!
And your welcome!
Thank you, I'm glad it got the point across. I liked the rhythm of Life's Too Short, and I think the upbeat tone reinforced the passive-aggressive nature of the argument; I agree completely that it would have made the reconciliation at the end much more powerful (and I also very much like the fanmade reprise of Do You Want to Build a Snowman). And yes, you hit the nail on the head with what Elsa and Anna represent. Despite my usual leniency with Disney happy endings, I feel conflicted about how neatly the finale resolved things--Elsa instantly gaining control of her powers and using it for the good of the people, finally having a relationship with her sister, and living in the kingdom happily ever after. I couldn't help thinking that Anna had "won".
Of course I understand that within the context of the story, it was a true happily-ever-after ending and the best for everyone. But in real life, people who don't fit in with society are often pressured greatly to conform and if they don't, they may be looked down upon or pitied for not doing something "better" for them. The song Let It Go speaks to people who have spent their lives trying to conform and finally give up and decide to be themselves instead of what others want or expect them to be... but given that Elsa is lying to herself throughout the song, in the end, is the solution conformity after all?
It's not supposed to be, because Elsa's society now accepts and celebrates her powers and welcomes her into it, but I find myself wondering whether being a darling of the people is what she actually wanted. There's no way for me to say, because her character wasn't developed enough--and since she's queen, it doesn't really matter anyway; regardless of what she wants, she has to carry out her responsibility, so the best-case scenario really is that she has loving friends and family to support her as she performs her duty. So I have to accept that the ending is perfect for everyone because I've been give no reason to think otherwise, but I still feel vaguely uncomfortable and conflicted about it.
Of course I understand that within the context of the story, it was a true happily-ever-after ending and the best for everyone. But in real life, people who don't fit in with society are often pressured greatly to conform and if they don't, they may be looked down upon or pitied for not doing something "better" for them. The song Let It Go speaks to people who have spent their lives trying to conform and finally give up and decide to be themselves instead of what others want or expect them to be... but given that Elsa is lying to herself throughout the song, in the end, is the solution conformity after all?
It's not supposed to be, because Elsa's society now accepts and celebrates her powers and welcomes her into it, but I find myself wondering whether being a darling of the people is what she actually wanted. There's no way for me to say, because her character wasn't developed enough--and since she's queen, it doesn't really matter anyway; regardless of what she wants, she has to carry out her responsibility, so the best-case scenario really is that she has loving friends and family to support her as she performs her duty. So I have to accept that the ending is perfect for everyone because I've been give no reason to think otherwise, but I still feel vaguely uncomfortable and conflicted about it.
The fanmade reprise was just...wow. Brought a tear to my eye (which is kinda rare for me). I'm willing to let the eternally happy ending scheme of Disney movies slide--after all, kids love to watch Disney movies, and in this day and age having Hansel and Gretel devoured by the evil witch just isn't an acceptable ending. All things considered though, Disney movies are pretty dark--it was after watching Frozen that I thought, "Sheesh, how often do parents die in these movies?" But from a storyteller's point of view, the ending to Frozen does beg believability--and I think a "children's" story could benefit from having some of the things you mentioned. Especially when a sizeable percentage of people feel like they don't "fit in" with mainstream society. By having Anna "win", Disney is suggesting that people like Elsa ultimately have to conform to society (and unless a "social outcast" suddenly becomes famous, society does not accept/celebrate that person's strangeness). So ultimately, I agree that the ending to Frozen was conflicting--but then, I've come to appreciate endings that aren't as clean and "perfect" as Frozen's was. Perhaps this ending wasn't the one that fit Elsa best--but it is the ending of the movie, so we haven't much choice but to accept it (although it does make for a good discussion topic).