Updated: Oct. 6, 2020
Originally Published: Dec. 13, 2019
I took my two daughters to watch Frozen 2, but not without a little hesitation. It’s not that I dislike going to the movies with my kids—I genuinely enjoy it. One of my favorite fatherly pastimes is sharing a cinematic experience with them. My reluctance stemmed from the fact that Disney films often don’t set the best examples for young girls.
Yet, princess movies are hard to avoid, so off we went. Typically, after the credits roll, we chat about the characters and their relationships. More often than not, our conversations touch on the lack of real examples of commitment, resilience, or independence for women. My daughters often roll their eyes as I embark on my analysis, firmly establishing my reputation as the overbearing dad.
However, Frozen 2 felt like a refreshing change. (Fair warning: minor spoilers ahead.)
I couldn’t help but notice how Elsa faced the ocean, stumbled but kept getting back up. Who was her knight in shining armor? Not a prince! She persevered until she reached her goal. When she found herself trapped in that icy cavern, did she call for a boyfriend? Nope, she reached out to her sister instead. Frankly, I’d argue that Elsa doesn’t need a man at all (except maybe Olaf, who mainly serves as comic relief).
Elsa embodies a strong, independent woman in a position of power who genuinely cares for others. As a dad of daughters, I sometimes look around at all the Frozen merchandise cluttering my home and feel like I’m maintaining Elsa’s Ice Castle, but I’m okay with that, knowing she serves as a positive role model for my girls.
And let’s not forget Anna, who truly stole the show in this film. She rose above her despair after Olaf’s disappearance and took charge, rallying the rock giants to destroy the corrupt dam. Anna was undeniably the hero—she never played the damsel in distress or waited for a prince to rescue her. She took action on her own terms. Bottom line: Anna is incredible.
Kristoff also deserves a shout-out for his impactful moment when he told Anna, “My love is not fragile” and “I’m here. What do you need?” As a father, I found myself silently cheering in the theater.
We’ve all encountered fragile love—the kind that falters when times get tough. My own father exemplified this and left behind a trail of broken families. He constantly chased after something better, rather than nurturing the bonds he had.
Thinking back, many of my early notions of love were similarly fragile: the prince who can’t remember his true love but makes everyone try on a glass slipper, or the one who keeps a woman captive until she falls for him out of desperation. Sound familiar?
I’m proud to say that my wife and I recently celebrated 15 years of marriage. Over the years, I’ve learned that lasting love requires strength, depth, and resilience—the sort of love that partners can lean on. This is not to condone any form of abuse; real love stands firm even when life’s challenges unfold.
I’m referring to the love that shines through the chaos of parenting and doesn’t culminate in a fairy tale but rather in a home filled with toys, where you might feel like both the fairy godmother and the wicked witch at times. It’s about taking action—saying to your partner, “I’m here. What do you need?”
Honestly, I’ve seen countless Disney princess films, but I’ve never witnessed such a genuine depiction of partnership until Frozen 2.
When we left the theater, I skipped my usual critique of characters and instead listened to my daughters excitedly discuss the water horse, the adorable fire lizard, and Olaf’s humor. As we reached home, I reminded them of Kristoff’s powerful lines and how Elsa’s perseverance and Anna’s bravery were keys to success.
“Be like them,” I encouraged. “And if you find someone like Kristoff, you’ll discover a true partner.”
They nodded in agreement, and then I tucked them into bed.
Frozen 2 will be available on Disney+ later this year. For more insights, check out this related blog post.
In conclusion, Frozen 2 provides a refreshing take on female empowerment and partnership, making it a worthy watch for parents and kids alike.
Keyphrase: Lessons from Frozen 2
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