Copping out: The problem with Frozen's storyline

So I just read a couple of very opinionated film reviews re: Frozen. And while I don't entirely agree or disagree with the authors (as any critical reader is likely to do), I do have a bone to pick about Frozen myself.

First of all, while some of the songs and characters were great, it did come off as a tad cheesy. Maybe all Disney movies have a bit of cheesiness to them, I don't know. I guess watching Disney movies as an adult really changes the way I look them. No longer am I looking for fun and happily ever after - I look at the things the characters say, and the plot line. I guess it's also part of being an English literature enthusiast - nothing escapes scrutiny when it comes to plot and character development!

Secondly, I felt that the ending, with Hans turning out to be a bad guy so that Anna could be with Kristoff, was a complete cop-out. I almost admired the choice to have Anna presented with conflicting love interests - I mean, isn't it something we experience at least once in our lifetimes? But after it was revealed that Anna just HAD to neatly end up with one man, I saw Hans's transformation into the villain of the story as rather deus-ex-machina-esque. It's as if the writers suddenly realized: "Wait! What have we done! Crap, now we gotta get rid of one of them!" There was no intelligent choice made on Anna's part - or even the choice to wait a few years before she decides on who to end up with - before the movie decides that yep, she's gonna end up with Kristoff. Sorry, Hans. Maybe you'll get a chance to be a good guy the next time around. All I'm saying is, the choice to make him a villain was completely unnecessary.

Thirdly, when Anna comes after her insanely powerful but (well-intentioned?) sister Elsa, she gets chased away by a snow golem. A deadly snow golem who nearly KILLS Anna. Of course, this would never actually happen in a Disney movie, but we have to consider what Elsa's intentions are. Was she trying to kill her sister? Or just injure her for life? I guess we'll never know, because Anna miraculously survives with no physical harm whatsoever!

I know Disney is geared towards children. I know that. But I think that Disney needs to get ballsy with their choices, the way they used to. Characters like Mulan, who question whether their actions are inspired by selfishness or caring. Endings like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which aren't 100% happy, but carry a strong message in that choice of ending. Moments like the death of Mufasa, that portray family connection much better than a silly true love's kiss. And songs like Beauty and the Beast's "There's Something There" that portray love as a gradual, getting-to-know-you thing that happens over time.

I loved Disney growing up. I still do. And I want to keep loving it. I just need a reason to do so.