Like most cinema, animated films, particularly ones marketed towards children, are often formulaic in nature. When Hollywood finds success with a certain story, that story then becomes the blueprint for every successive movie. It's not a definitively poor quality, in fact, with many genres, a familiar plot trajectory and characteristics can work quite well.

A level of relatability allows the audience to feel more comfortable with the film, which aids both in advertising and the proliferation of one's theme. The benefits of incorporating a narrative formula are especially vivid throughout fairy tales and princess narratives. And when it comes to telling these types of stories, Walt Disney Animation far surpasses every other studio. Since its inception, Disney Animation has mastered this genre of film, producing classic after classic. 

Beginning with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," Disney decided to employ the traditional structure of the fairy tale with colorfully laminated landscapes and harmonious songs. Each one of these movies (which also includes the likes of "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid") features a female protagonist and an obvious male interest. The conflict in these films derives from a variation of the central female overcoming a flaw within herself by way of falling in love with a "prince." For example, Ariel only transcended her restrictive ocean environment due to Prince Eric's slaying of Ursula. She only found her voice in his arms and her transformation was solely dependent on his rescue. 

Each one of Disney's first ten princesses seemed to only find individual strength alongide their male counterpart, purpoting a patriarchal ideal. Two summers ago, this tradition of weaker female characters was challenged with the Pixar film "Brave," distributed under the Disney banner. The adventure-epic featured Merida, an independent princess without any desire for marriage. However, her lack of interest in traditional womanly concerns is painted as a form of radicalism and her mother condemns her for it. While a "prince" never cured Merida of this flaw (she rescued herself with perseverance), "Brave" didn't quite fully correct the misogynistic issues of the Disney princess films.

SEE ALSO: Interview: Filmmakers Jennifer Lee And Chris Buck On 'Frozen'

It was a step in the right direction nonetheless, and allowed for this winter's release of "Frozen." The very loose adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Snow Queen" features not one, but two female leads in a pair of sisters, Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell). Though both princesses, Elsa and Anna are very different from any of their Disney peers. Instead of dealing with the traditional romantic "happily ever after," the film written and co-directed by Jennifer Lee, rather, is concerned with an entirely different theme. It opts to speak to every viewer about the power of inner strength, about being one's unique self, and about a family's bond.

Absent in "Frozen" is a princess subordinate to her prince, as Elsa and Anna are both defiantly independent with an ability to achieve wonders on their own. In fact, the movie actually parodies the ridiculousness of prior Disney romances. One exceptional musical number among an entire soundtrack of brilliant songs, "Love is an Open Door," makes a clever mockery of instantaneous love, simultaneously poking fun at itself and offering a refreshing take on romance. Without going into spoilers, the film ends in a somewhat expected place (this is a Disney film after all, a level of happiness must be reached), but the journey in reaching that end is innovative and surprising at every turn. 

Where as Ariel needed Eric and Belle needed the Beast, Elsa and Anna simply needed each other. Their love and devotion as sisters is what truly matters, what truly holds power to defeat anything. "Frozen" is an exciting addition to Disney's impressive animated portfolio as it marks not only a return to the traditionally grand musical scope, but also an entirely new exciting set of honest, powerful themes.

If you haven't yet seen "Frozen," check out the exciting trailer below:

Reach Staff Reporter Alex Kutulos here.