I can see why it’s the highest grossing Disney film of all time. Not only is it hilarious, it’s also beautifully animated, the songs are superb, the storyline magnificently surprising – filled with all kinds of good and challenging and un-Disney messages – and full of well-rounded non-stock characters.
And then there’s Olaf. Oh Olaf. The incredibly lovable snowman who may just be the funniest Disney character ever created. Completely unnecessary to the plot – he is there for one reason only: to bring children and parents (and random 20-something year-olds) oodles and oodles of joy.
So of course when Frozen was released on DVD earlier this week I snapped it up in the name of good youth work. And once again I was completely enraptured by the character of Olaf, during our youth group watching of it. (I did of course have to watch it the night before the youth group social as well, just to make sure it was still appropriate viewing.)
I think I’ve figured out why I love this character so much. It’s the sense of childish wonder he exudes. True to form, as a snowman created by children, he encapsulates everything glorious about a child’s eye view of the universe. He is enchanted by how beautiful the snow is, he day-dreams about summer and wandering along the sand (not knowing what happens to snowmen in summer) and is overjoyed at his new carrot nose. He marvels at the starry sky, delights in flowers, and gets caught up in song and dance on many occasions. And did I mention that he’s funny? He is FUN-NY. He is a big snowy ball of joy, and simply loves to be alive.
This is surely part of what it means to be a Christian: to simply love being alive. Philip Toynbee said: ‘The basic command of religion is not “do this!” or “do not do that!” but simply “look!”’. It’s not so much about what we do or where we go, but how we go about what we do. Walking through life with eyes to see and ears to hear what’s going on around us, awake to the rich meaning and spiritual significance running through all things. As leaders of young people, it’s this deep awe, mystery, wonder and revelation that we want to stir in their lives too. Pointing out the meaning in the everyday, the extraordinary in the ordinary comings and goings of their lives. Just simply saying: ‘Look!’
Olaf is like this, and that’s why he is so captivating. If you haven’t watched it – PLEASE watch it. And I dare you not to love him.
