Scene Standoff: Frozen vs. Dirty Dancing
Elsa's transition from power containing princess to palace builder in the song 'Let it Go' in 'Frozen' vs. that outrageously famous lift at the end of 'Dirty Dancing'.
If you've clicked on this wondering what's going on, then click on the link here to read the rules of the Scene Standoff: https://www.focusfilms.online/post/scene-standoff-lion-king-vs-grease
'Let it Go' - Frozen
Elsa is tired of hiding her powers away, so she leaves Arendelle and builds a palace of her own, using her powers. As she does, Idina Menzel performs very powerful vocals in the film's hit song Let it Go.
- Ellis' scene
The lift - Dirty Dancing
Baby and Johnny reunite to dance the dance that they've been working on for so long. And the only way to top off the routine is with an impressive lift that many have tried to replicate in which Patrick Swayze lifts Jennifer Grey above his head, all while The Time of my Life plays overhead.
- Gareth's scene
Ellis - italics
Gareth - bold
PERFORMANCE
Well let's just say if I'd have done Patrick Swayze's role it wouldn't have come across as well.
Equally if I'd have done Jennifer Grey's role it wouldn't have come across as well.
Swayze's hips...
...they don't lie.
At the end it becomes a proper big musical number, everyone starts dancing.
Just the lift alone gets it full marks.
What about Frozen?
The vocals are great but this is almost too iconic because Let it Go has been overplayed.
FROZEN - 8/10 DIRTY DANCING - 10/10
NECESSITY
This is Elsa's big moment.
Without it, you haven't got a film.
You wouldn't get the transition.
This Dirty Dancing scene is always going to be necessary because it's the finale.
But without it Johnny and Baby have no closure.
FROZEN - 9/10 DIRTY DANCING - 9/10
REFERENCABILITY
I mean, there's not many people who don't know all the words to Let it Go.
Is it a reference though or is it just singing the song?
Can it be used out of context?
There was a time that whenever people said "oh let it go" someone else would burst into song.
But that already happens less, so in just a few years it's already less iconic.
If you're at a wedding, or a party, someone always attempts the Dirty Dancing lift. And it never goes as well.
If you do that lift, everyone knows it's Dirty Dancing. Plus, everyone remembers that film for the lift.
FROZEN - 5/10 DIRTY DANCING - 9/10
POPULARITY (using Letterboxd for reference)
Frozen has an average rating of 3.4.
And Dirty Dancing is a 3.6.
That is incredibly low.
FROZEN - 3.4 DIRTY DANCING - 3.6
ICONIC RATING
On a scale of ice lollies, how iconic are these scenes?
I'd probably go with a Calippo. The bit you're waiting for is the juice at the bottom, which in this instance is the last scene of Dirty Dancing.
Oh yes!
It's the sweetest moment.
I'm going with a rocket lolly. You start a rocket lolly and it's lovely, but after literally a minute you're so bored of the rocket lolly.
FROZEN - rocket lolly DIRTY DANCING - Calippo
THE FINAL STANDOFF
Frozen 0-4 Dirty Dancing
When we began listing these iconic scenes, we knew that Dirty Dancing would have to be one of the films chosen. That finale is unbelievably well known; whether it be the music, the cast, the lift itself or the sporadic dialogue throughout everyone knows this scene in some capacity.
Not many Disney films have lost in these battles but it was always going to be a tough job for Frozen. And it's the first scene to come up that has perhaps been a detriment to itself as over the past few years the song has been overplayed on radio and elsewhere, and therefore people like the song and the film in turn slightly less.
Dirty Dancing is sure to go all the way...stay tuned for round 2.
Current Standings: G - 10 E - 14
NEXT BATTLE:
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE VS. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
Dirty Dancing available now on Netflix