There's never been any denial of the success of Frozen, just how some people classify its cultural significance and/or impact. The comparison with Barbie continues to be brought up but there's really no way that the two characters can be realistically compared. Barbie lost out this year in sales, but trends come and go while institutions stick around, have devoted fan clubs, and resale original toys for thousands. If an Olaf plush from 2014 goes for thousands in 2064, or even 2024 I'll happily eat my words.
As far as maintaining popularity, I still stand by the statement that Disney has helped keep Frozen in everyone's eye throughout 2014 through market saturation. Yes with Frozen there is the customer desire factor, but Disney helped feed, and even exaggerate, that appetite. Disney's media division didn't become their biggest revenue generator by just hoping that movies become successful in the theaters and afterwards.
I also agree that help came from the lack of many offerings for the kiddos this year. That's going to change in 2015, especially with a little film coming out in December. I'll bet the farm that the merchandizing machine is already in full production for that one.
Disney not only didn't help the cultural phenomenon, they were caught by surprise like everyone else. They spent about 9 months not able to provide enough Frozen merchandise. They didn't put a dent in demand. And lack of other movies (Actually there were plenty including How to Train Your Dragon 2) doesn't explain the rabid response.
We will all have to wait to see what happens in the future before using the words iconic or classic, and whether it is "good" or not is a matter of opinion, but for the past year the unprecedented cultural fixation is pretty obvious and is being talked about everywhere. I just read another article yesterday on how the phenomenon has not died down.
The cultural phenomenon has also taken over the U.K., Japan, Korea, and a number of other countries. There is even a documentary being filmed (Not by Disney) in the UK on Frozen as a cultural phenomenon.
There are endless articles from every news source on multiple continents that all talk about the cultural phenomenon. Trying to convince anyone that it isn't a cultural phenomenon isn't going to happen.
I find this fascinating because the unique cultural phenomenon that has developed around Frozen is more obvious and ubiquitous than the fact that the planet we are all on is round. It is round by the way no matter how much you deny it. Frozen is that obvious. It amazes me that anyone could deny the evidence that is everywhere. I guess it is possible. Just change definitions, come up with different ways to look at it and you can prove the moon is made of green cheese and that Frozen isn't culturally significant.
Here are more articles:
Here is an article on how a movie, Frozen, was chosen entertainer of the year for the first time rather than a person. From a little known organization called The Associated Press. AP people were asked who had the most cultural impact in 2014.
Read more:
http://www.kmov.com/entertainment/F...f-the-year-by-AP-286683421.html#ixzz3MmH1cO93
"If you have children, or know someone who does, or just listened to one recently, the choice of Associated Press Entertainer of the Year won’t come as much of a shock: It’s “Frozen,” and in 2014, we just couldn’t let it go."
I love this article:
My year of warming to Frozen: several million children can't be wrong
When Frozen-mania hit my household, I could either resent it, tolerate it or embrace it. I chose the latter, and a year later I’ve come to appreciate its rock-solid artistry
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/18/disney-film-frozen-generational-icon
"Like, I’m sure, every creator of animated movies in the world, I’ve spent the last year trying to unpick what made
Frozen a phenomenon that outstripped all expectations. When your children develop an obsession you can either tolerate it, resent it or embrace it.
I chose the latter, partly for the sake of my sanity, and partly because, as a critic, I’m fascinated by the nature of extreme popularity.
Frozen has become more than just a very good Disney movie; it’s a generational set text, like Star Wars, Harry Potter or the Beatles. Bad taste can elevate certain movies to a certain level of popularity, but
only truly substantial ones reach the stratosphere. After a year of Frozen merchandise, Frozen birthday parties and
Frozen singalongs, I’m pretty sure that several million children can’t be wrong."
From the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/...year-on-why-were-still-in-Elsas-icy-grip.html "Frozen has become that curious thing: a phenomenon that is so ubiquitous, it’s more about what it hasn’t been connected to, than what it has."
