Frozen 2 Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack
2Frozen 2 Disc Deluxe Edition Soundtrack
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ ‘Frozen’ features eight original songs from Kristen Anderson-Lopez (‘In Transit,’ ‘Winnie the Pooh’) and Tony Award-winning songwriter Robert Lopez (‘Avenue Q,’ ‘The Book of Mormon’), plus a phenomenal score by the composer of last year’s Oscar-winning short ‘Paperman,’ Christophe Beck. The original motion picture soundtrack, which features the end-credit recording of ‘Let It Go’ by Demi Lovato as well as performances by Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonath
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A. Einhorn “Actor/Writer”
Another Masterpiece From Disney,
Well, Frozen is an absolute win in the musical category, and if you’re a fan of Broadway, then you will be very, very pleased.
The orchestral score from Christophe Beck is quite, quite lovely, and pulls you strongly in to the film right from the beginning. But as solid as the score is, the actual songs are where Frozen soars.
“Frozen Heart” starts the film off strong with a solid, sea-chanty-esque rhthym, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” establishes the relationship between the sisters and is heart-breakingly sweet and sad at the same time. “Reindeers Are Better Than People” is a cute little ditty featuring Jonathan Groff, and “Fixer Upper” is fun and energetic and will make great background music when walking through the Disney parks.
But there are three songs that everyone will be talking about.
“For the First Time in Forever” (and its reprise) is the adult counter-point to “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and is absolutely essential to understanding who both Anna and Elsa are. It has a great build throughout, catchy lyrics, and really fun visuals. Think of it in the same vein as other Disney “I Want” Songs, and you won’t be far off at all.
“Love is an Open Door” is a really lovely love-song duet, and in a different film, could easily be the one that everyone will remember at the movie’s end. The opening and closing of doors is a recurring theme in Frozen, and when the song plays, it is easy to see how Anna can be swept away by her handsome prince.
Incidentally, although we’re past the point where this should be surprising, Kristin Bell has quite a lovely singing voice, and she’s really fun to listen to throughout.
But the breakout hit song of Frozen is, without question, “Let it Go.”
Anyone familiar with Idina Menzel’s career knows this, but that woman has an amazing voice, with a tone very unlike many others. She isn’t always technically perfect, but she is incredibly talented, and the imperfections in her voice are what allow it to bring so much emotion to what she sings. If you only know her from watching Glee, than this may surprise you. If you’re familiar with her from Rent, then you know she has the pipes, but you may not be prepared for her ability to reach in to your heart and twist. If you know Menzel from listening to Wicked, then you know what I’m talking about.
I was introduced to Idina Menzel’s singing when she performed “Defying Gravity” at the 2004 Tony Awards, and fell in love, rushing out to purchase the soundtrack. Although I love the entire show, “Defying Gravity” was my favorite feminine power ballad of all time, and remains a regular on my iPod.
“Let It Go” is better.
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The Best Disney Soundtrack For the First Time In, Well, FOREVER!,
I was at the premiere of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” in 1992. I remember the feeling that everything in Disney animation was about to change for the better and for a very long time. The combination of story, animation, and above all, song, was the best that had been seen in a film since the 1950’s, during the Silver Age of Disney animation. What Alan Menken and Howard Ashman had hinted at in “The Little Mermaid” was given full, beautiful voice in the songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” and I knew that a new Golden Age of Disney animation was on its way.
I had that same feeling when I saw “Frozen” a week ago. It is to the new generation of Disney films what “Beast” was to the Disney animated films of the 1990’s: a wake up to everything that makes a “Disney” film a truly “Disney” film, and not a Pixar want-to-be. Not a Dreamworks pop-culture retread, but a film by the company that made the animated film a viable and living art form.
“Frozen” is simply THAT good of a film. And apart from spectacular animation, a heartfelt and beautiful story, and top-notch voice acting, what makes “Frozen” that good is the music.
A perfect combination of song and score, the music by Christophe Beck (instrumental score) and Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (songs), bring to life the story of sisters Elsa and Anna, princesses of Arandelle. Elsa has the magical power to control and create snow and ice, and as the movie opens, they are best friends who enjoy playing with snow and snowmen in the ballrooms of the palace. When an accident happens that causes things to change, the sisters are torn apart and the story begins.
Using traditional Scandinavian instruments, vocal techniques (including “kluning,” a type of shepherds call), and a Norwegian choir (the all-female Cantus, who feature prominently in the opening titles), Beck’s score is far more than just incidental music. It’s as integral to the story as Alan Menken’s instrumental music has been for his Disney animated films.
The opening piece, “Vuelie,” is a breathtaking choral piece that sets the tone for the icy, Scandinavian backdrop as Lebo M’s famous Swahili chants at the beginning of “The Lion King. Written by Norwegian composer Frode Fjellheim and adapted by Beck, the song combines traditional “Saami yoiking” and a Danish hymn. It evokes a cold and wintry feel while helping set the tonal culture of the film before the segue into a more traditional opening number.
That number is “Frozen Heart,” sung by a chorus of ice gatherers. As the men work cutting the ice, the very traditional-sounding song tells the power of the ice, the curse of the ice, and relationship that this culture has with the winter. While it is appreciated for its strength and power, it is recognized as destructive due to the way it freezes everything in its wake. Visually, it’s a fun song as the ice cutters work swiftly to load their reindeer-drawn sledge with giant pieces of ice. A young boy, Kristoff, and his pet reindeer, Sven, attempt to help with comic results.
The next song, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” tells, through poignant lyrics and great performances by the young Anna and, eventually, the grown-up version, what Anna feels as she is shut away from her sister, who unbeknownst to her, has been asked by her parents to hide away her magical gift. As a result, Anna feels like Elsa has shut her out and grows up nearly alone. Once best friends with Elsa, she is now nearly on her own–and by the end of the song, as tragedy strikes, it is clear that she truly is. It’s one of those great “showtune” style numbers that helps advance the storyline while also being a great song. It’s sung beautifully by the young Anna (voiced by Agatha Lee Monn and Katie Lopez–the songwriters’ daughter) and Kristin Bell as the grown-up Anna. By the last refrain, it’s definitely a poignant moment.
“For the First Time in Forever” is what Howard Ashman called the “I Want” song in the film. At least, it’s Anna’s. Finally grown up, finally ready for her sister to be crowned queen, her life is about to change. All the loneliness and shuttered away feelings she’s had growing up are finally over–the gates of the castle are about to open and she won’t be lonely anymore. It’s a great “production” number in the film with lots of great movement, character animation, and sweeping visuals. It’s a great song. It’s a great “Disney” song. It feels “right.” And sung so winningly by Kristin Bell, it turns Anna into an even more engaging and endearing character. Halfway through the song she is joined by Idina Menzel as Elsa, and the former “Wicked” star brings her Elphaba intensity to her character.
It’s not a surprise that Menzel…
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