If you have young girls in your household, your Christmas gift exchange was probably dominated by “Frozen” merchandise. Now, the computer-animated film has won the AP designation “entertainer of the year,” even though it came out in 2013 and has no human characters. But it is the most successful animation film in history, and it has earned Disney $1.27 billion.
And it is an excellent movie, not only aesthetically but in the way it teaches some important lessons in life (marry for friendship, not “love at first sight”; love between family members is among the most precious; love is when you would lay down your life for someone). But, speaking as a grandfather, I just cannot understand how little girls as young as three, who presumably are missing these finer points, can get so caught up in the “Frozen” frenzy!
From ‘Frozen’ Is Named Top Entertainer of the Year by AP – ABC News:
If you have children, or know someone who does, or just listened to one recently, the choice of Associated Press Entertainer of the Year won’t come as much of a shock: It’s “Frozen,” and in 2014, we just couldn’t let it go.
Although the animated film opened late in 2013, the story of Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven easily outpaced other vote-getters like “Sherlock” star Benedict Cumberbatch, TV guru Shonda Rimes, musicians Beyonce and Pharrell Williams, and even an entry for the culture’s fixation on the female rear.
In 47 ballots submitted by members and subscribers of the AP, “Frozen” won 12 votes. Taylor Swift had 8. Matthew McConaughey and Jimmy Fallon were tied for third with 7 votes each. Voters were asked to consider who had the most influence on entertainment and culture in 2014.
“Frozen” has earned Disney more than $1.27 billion at the box office worldwide, becoming the most successful animated movie of all time. Its signature song, “Let It Go,” won an Oscar, and a national touring live version on ice has been a huge draw. The lines of girls wearing sparkly dresses waiting for a chance to see Elsa and Anna at Disneyland are staggering. “Frozen” was the most searched movie in 2014, according to Google.
“It’s amazing,” said Chris Buck, who co-directed and co-wrote the film with Jennifer Lee. “A year later, it’s still crazy.” Asked if they had managed to get their heads around the film’s popularity, Lee replied: “I don’t know if it’s possible. I kind of hope it’s not possible because this is a really great feeling.”
The film’s gravitational pull has now supplanted Barbie as No. 1 on the holiday wish lists of girls, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation. Barbie had been the queen for 11 years in a row, but felt a chill this year from the kingdom of Arendelle.
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