As a mother of a young daughter, I have been subject to countless replays of the Disney movie, "Frozen." I am sure many parents can relate to the constant singing and singing and, yes, more singing of the cute (but sometimes annoying) songs from the movie.
That being said, I am diggin' the new sound of Disney. The lyrics, the melodies, the absolute knockout talent behind the vocals (Idina Menzel from, inter alia (sorry...but the legal-eze sometimes still slips out), RENT and Wicked, and the surprising vocals of Kristen Bell, whom I know best from Forgetting Sarah Marshall (though she didn't sing in that movie, check it out for a great male (for once) full frontal!). The song that I prefer (well, it DID win an Oscar) and the song that I think best represents Disney's shift from its shameless portrayal of girls and women as needy, helpless, and wanting only for "true love" to the much better message relayed in "Let It Go." Here are some of the lyrics and a link to the song:
I don't care what they're going to say. . . .
It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free. . . .
Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on. . . .
Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=frozen+let+it+go&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=09E292F1C4A7F338CBA509E292F1C4A7F338CBA5
The song "Let It Go" espouses the values that I want to teach my daughter:
- that you can be your real self - not some "perfect" version prescribed to you
- that you don't have to answer to anyone about who you choose to be
- let them talk about you - just don't listen to it
- stand your ground despite great challenges and pressures
- don't let what other people think or say about you define what you think of yourself
- look to the people you love to help you become the person that you want to be
- surround yourself with postive people - and if there are none out there, you are your biggest advocate and closest friend
- LOVE YOURSELF (just not too much!)
So, even though it is tedious and hair-raising to watch movies over and over and over again that your children love (just be thankful it is not ELMO or CAILLOU anymore!), I give "Frozen" the thumbs up. Other great songs include "Fixer Upper" ("everyone is a fixer upper" - isn't that a great way to teach our kids about imperfection and all of its benefits??!). So much to teach and so little time.
Until next time, SAHM.
