What I didn't like about Frozen

As most people know, Disney’s Frozen came out on DVD this week. I’ve only heard a few negative reviews, and I won’t be adding to that list. For the most part, I loved the movie. The songs have been running through my mind, and often bursting forth aloud in theatrical displays, for weeks. We even joined the massive horde that purchased the film on release day.

I very much appreciated that the storyline wasn’t just a tired remake of so many other children’s movies. i.e. Your parents’ ways are old-fashioned, and you should follow your heart instead. (Laaame.) The Croods is the most recent movie I can think of with this misguided theme. 

**Spoiler Alert** 

In Frozen, Elsa’s parents do still give her some unwise advice, but the overall theme was still different. I for one got the impression that they were trying to help her control her powers, and Elsa just took the instructions to “conceal” too far. But even if I’m wrong about that, on a much more important note, Elsa discovered that rebellion wasn’t the answer to her problems. She had to find the balance between “letting go” and putting others first. Love was the central theme of the movie, and true love is always a good theme. 

And now on to my own central point. Did anyone else catch that line by one of the trolls in Fixer Upper? 

We’re not saying you can change him
'Cause people don't really change

Beg pardon? People don’t change? 

I’m fully on board with the first half of that sentence. It’s not our job to change everyone around us, even (often especially) our spouses. I would even argue that it’s not our job to change our children, just to teach them. We lack the power necessary to change anyone’s heart.

I just find the second part of that phrase rather contradictory to the rest of the movie. People don’t really change? Ummm, doesn’t Elsa change? Doesn’t Kristoff? And how about Anna? Maybe we’re just defining change differently. The best part about the movie is the beautiful lesson that love is the catalyst for change.

I feel like they threw that line in there to try not to offend people, but it just doesn’t fit. Even the very next lines of the song seem to contradict it. 

We're only saying that love's a force that's powerful and strange
People make bad choices if they're mad or scared or stressed
But throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best
True love brings out the best

Soooo, love is a force that is powerful and strange. It helps people make good choices and brings out their best, but it doesn’t change them? 

I guess the main reason the line bothers me so much is because I feel it reeks of hopelessness. If people don’t change, then that means I can’t change. I’m stuck with my frustrating imperfections forever. Yikes! My poor family!!

I have to disagree, because I have changed. Love, specifically the love of God, has literally changed my heart. I don’t think like I used to. I don’t act like I used to. I don’t despair like I used to. Sure I have moments of weakness, but that’s not what I mean. I’ll always be imperfect, but I have put off my old self and become a new creation. I know others who have changed as well. Addicts who have broken their addictions, bitter people who have learned true forgiveness, ones who were hopeless and found meaning, and hateful people who learned to love. Change is real.

Love is indeed a force that’s powerful and strange. It keeps no record of offenses, offers kindness in response to cruelty, is humble, puts the needs of others first, doesn’t dwell on mean thoughts about others, is patient, doesn’t envy or brag, rejoices only in truth, perseveres in hope, endures the toughest challenges, and it never ends. Love originated with God, because He is love. 

We each have a chance to pass on this love to others as well. To continue with the Frozen theme, Anna was a great example of this. She thought she knew what love was, and she even sang a song about it with Hans. But Anna had to learn what love really meant. She went after Elsa, sacrificing her own comfort, hoping for the best, patiently trying to persuade her, and enduring the hardships. She was even willing to lay down her life for her sister. Love thawed both their hearts in the end, and it thawed their frozen world. 

Frozen was spot on there! Love has the power to thaw a frozen and often harsh world. People can change, and I hope we never stop believing that. Love can change you, me, or anyone. Don't give up hope! The change might not take place today, or soon, or maybe even ever, but we can change. And we can be that catalyst for change. 

Hope and change, folks. Sometimes it's a good slogan. ;)

Just watch this and sing along. You know you want to…