Penny Thoughts ‘14—Frozen (2013) ****

PG, 102 min.

Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Writers: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck, Shane Morris, Dean Wellins, Hans Christian Anderson (story “The Snow Queen”)

Voices: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Goff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, Ciarán Hinds

“Frozen” is a remarkably entertaining instant animation classic. I know that’s not exactly news, but as the father of boys—and one girl who has no interest in movies—“Frozen” wasn’t exactly on anyone’s must see list in theaters. And yet, somehow everybody seemed to nonchalantly vote to see the movie for our family movie night this week. Imagine the boys. “Whatever. I don’t care,” as they stared intently at the screen.

“Frozen” seems to be part of a new breed of film that is taking over Hollywood slowly but surely. It seems the women’s rights movement has finally made it to Tinsletown. Sure there have been strong women in movies for a long time; but with movies like “Frozen” we’re not just getting strong women, we’re getting women completely independent of the men in the films. Even when the heroine here employs the brawny woodsman Kristoff to help her climb the North Mountain, it is because she has the means to enable him to help her. It’s really all her. He’s just the tool. It’s really a reversal from the Hollywood tradition. And here’s the real kicker, studio heads, it’s just as entertaining to everyone in the audience to see this dynamic as it is to see more traditional gender roles. I mean how’s the highest grossing animated film of all time for proof that women can carry a film.

I’ve always been of the belief that as animated movies go, so goes the movie industry. This new female empowerment is here to stay with the success of this charming and convicted delight of a film. Over the past few months I’ve seen many links on Facebook that claim to depict how the film should’ve ended. I never looked at them because I hadn’t seen it. I don’t see a need to look at any of them now, either, because it ended just the way it should’ve. The man doesn’t the day, but sisterhood triumphs over all. If you think I just spoiled something, well you’ve been under the same rock as me, and you need to get out of there and see this movie.