
Idina Menzels’, “Let it go,” featured in Disney’s Frozen, incorporates many special effects that contribute to the overall message of the movie. In one example of a scene that adds significance to the message of the video, the focus is on her blonde hair as she jerks it out of her flawless and pure bun. The symbolic purpose of this imagery in the music video was to portray her letting it all go and moving on from her past. The background transitions from a dark blue to a light blue as you move your attention to the left of the image. I believe the use of color in the background was to show the character growing and morphing into who she wants to become. The lighter blue taking over the image enthralls the idea of her becoming a happier individual and transforming herself from a dark, unhappy past. She is entering a “lighter blue” future that will make her live a happier and more fulfilling life. This image represents Elsa’s growth and development as a character, as she is deciding to “let it go” and be the person she is meant to be. 

Elsa’s blonde hair dangling is the major focus because it is the brightest color in the shot. I believe the director is aiming to cue his viewers in on her light blonde hair to symbolize her transformation from pure to oblivious. Her head is tilted slightly to the right, which draws attention to her long, braided, and conspicuous hair. This focus shows Elsa’s internal conflict with herself and the constant struggle she had been facing. The pure bun symbolizes royalty and purity. She couldn’t take being confined by the restrictions of being queen and decided to leave behind this constant stress. Letting her curly, long, and imperfect hair dangle shows her trying to be different and accepting her flaws. By highlighting this specific image, the director is targeting the audience in hopes that the message will resonate with them. Often, people feel trapped in their everyday lives and look for an outlet to escape, just as Elsa did. The director’s ambition in proposing these relationships was to capture the viewers’ attention and get them more absorbed in the story. 

One scene that caught my attention from the music video was Elsa magically constructing a bridge, symbolizing her crossing over into a new way of life, without being told what to do. The remarkable bridge that appears suddenly by just a wave of her hand, just like her hair in the first scene, captures the attention in this scene. The bright, light blue blended bridge pops out of the stygian sky with mountainous scenery. The image is showing the bridge connecting between a gap in the mountain horizontally stretching across to reach the highest peak. It shows the character Elsa deciding on the person she wants to be instead of contracting her feelings deep inside of her. Her facial expression looks like she has had enough and is letting her emotions explode out. The bridge represents her growth as a character and as she crosses it, she is deciding to put her past behind her. She is crossing over into a fresh beginning that will lead her to a better, happier life. 

These specific pictures of Elsa transforming contribute symbolic transitions that construct the purpose of the music video. It does include minor details by including the bridge or letting her hair dangle by adding another symbolic feature to the detailed purpose. These two scenes don’t make me question any previous accusations I had about the overall music video. The symbolism with the inclusion of the bridge, and hair color work together to emphasize the meaning of her coming out of the darkness and becoming enlightened. Working side by side contributing similar colors of light blue, white, and dark blue capturing attention with the insertion of bright colors to unearth the purpose of the music video.

These images throughout the music video are appealing to the younger and upcoming generation, persuading them to push themselves out of their comfort zones and really be who they truly are. I believe this visual wants us as the older generation to reach out to the younger ones and lead them to understand that it is all right to change or be different. It seems more relatable to younger women who are going through puberty, because it’s their first big change that life must offer to them. Their emotions, body, and mentality all changes throughout this period. In the video the character Elsa voices,” No right, No wrong, No rules for me,” showing the connection to teenage girl population in another way by showing defiance, which is prominent amongst teenagers in our society today. Elsa is teaching young girls that it is okay to be yourself and not to conform to the image that society forces onto girls at a young age. Instead of being forced to act as everyone else wants them to, Elsa is promoting being unique and different from the norm. 

These two evolutions of the pure Elsa in these two photographs contribute significance to the overall message. Examples include the scene of her building the magical bridge separating her from civilization, or when Elsa exclaims, “the past is in the past,” as she rips her hair out of her bun. Symbolism is another element that plays a significant role in protruding the overall message and it is included in almost each picture. The director uses weather, snow, and Elsa’s facial expressions to create small themes in both pictures, that are arranged together and form the overall theme with the conclusion of the song. This brilliant effect is one of the reasons why the sequence received approximately 180 million views. The movie’s popularity stems from both its visual effects and the lessons provided within the scenes. The two pictures illustrate the lessons of being yourself and choosing to be different through the special effects in each one. The lighting and symbolic features these two pictures had were the reason this overall scene from the movie, “Frozen,” was so successful.

 