Frozen

With the Oscar-nominated Frozen, Walt Disney Studios reclaims its animation crown. Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are fairy tale princesses, heirs to the enchanted Scandinavian kingdom of Arendelle following the death of their parents in a shipwreck. Older Elsa was born with a scary, supernatural, difficult-to-control ability to spontaneously create snow and ice. After Elsa inadvertently condemns her subjects to bleak, perpetual winter in a bizarre accident, she leaves and builds an Ice Palace sanctuary on North Mountain. Younger Anna goes looking for Elsa, longing to reestablish the close connection with her beloved yet estranged sister that they once shared as children. For this arduous quest, Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his trusty reindeer Sven, and an endearing, anthropomorphic, carrot-nosed snowman named Olaf (Josh Gad), who loves “warm hugs” and dreams about summer. Complicating matters are the scheming Duke of Weselton (Alan Tudyk) and handsome Hans (Santino Fontana), Prince of the Southern Isles. Very loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen, this fast-paced comedic adventure from filmmakers Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee combines gorgeous animation with an absorbing story that incorporates clever contemporary gender revisions. An unexpected treat here is the soaring musical score by husband-and-wife songwriting team Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (including the Best Original Song-nominated “Let It Go”). Sure to warm even the coldest of hearts, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the “Get a Horse!” theatrical short (6 min.), various versions of the “Let It Go” music video (including one by Demi Lovato), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes (7 min.), a “D'Frosted: Disney's Journey from Hans Christian Andersen to Frozen” story adaptation featurette (7 min.), a “making-of” featurette (3 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for this Oscar-winning gem.] (S. Granger)