Kristoff (Frozen)

Summary

Kristoff Bjorgman[1] is a fictional character in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen franchise. He appeared in the animated features Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019), and the animated short films Frozen Fever (2015) and Olaf's Frozen Adventure (2017). He is voiced primarily by Jonathan Groff.

Kristoff
Frozen character
Kristoff as he appears in Frozen (2013).
First appearanceFrozen (2013)
Created by
Voiced by
In-universe information
Full nameKristoff Bjorgman[1]
TitleRoyal Ice Master and Deliverer
OccupationIceman
FamilySven (companion)
Bulda (adoptive mother)
Grand Pabbie (adoptive grandfather)
Rock Trolls (adoptive family)
NationalityKingdom of Arendelle

Kristoff is a Sámi iceman who lives together with his reindeer companion Sven. Albeit preferring a solitary life, he helps Princess Anna of Arendelle to find her older sister Elsa in the North Mountain.

Development edit

Origins and conception edit

In the early development, Kristoff was originally Kai as in Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen", but later he was designed as combination of Kai and the robber girl.

Voice edit

He is primarily voiced by Jonathan Groff, while he is voiced as a child by Tyree Brown.[2] Groff said that he was cast after Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, with much of the casting process focusing on whether his voice was the right fit for Kristoff.[3] Codirector Chris Buck said that, after working with Goff, they started to write the character according to the way he was translated by the actor: "I knew Jonathan [Groff] wouldn't sound right, if he said certain things. It just wouldn’t sound right as Kristoff." Jennifer Lee also said that Groff elevated the humour in the character by being "quiet and gruff" and giving "bad news in a really funny way".[4]

Characterisation edit

Kristoff diverges from previous Disney leading male characters by being characterised as a reclusive, working class mountain man: "He's not like your typical, skinny-legged jeans, Disney prince. He's a little thicker, he's got my thighs", Groff commented. He likened him to the Disney character Aladdin, saying that he preferred animated men to be "scrappy and adventurous". Kristoff was designed without a beard because it would have made him look too old for Anna. Groff explained, "Suddenly he felt like her father, as opposed to her potential love interest".[3] In Frozen, Kristoff expresses his emotions through the voice of his reindeer Sven in the song "Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People", which Goff described as a "weird personality quirk" that later inspired Kristoff's song "Lost in the Woods", a 1980s-style soft rock song in Frozen II. Goff said the song is Kristoff's way of expressing his deep emotions for Anna and that he had to work with the composers to find the right balance between humour and sincerity. "He’s really going through it." He commented that Kristoff is a "Disney leading man with a sensitive side" and that in Frozen II, his role inverts the common trope of the male character setting off on an adventure, leaving the female character to sing alone at home. In the film, Anna sets off on an adventure, while Kristoff sings about his love for her and offers her support. When Kristoff finally proposes to Anna, it comes "from the heart". Goff said that he feels self-conscious due to the failure of his past three proposals to her, but it was just the "right moment". Although their marriage technically makes Kristoff a king, he has no personal ambitions.[5]

Appearance edit

Frozen edit

Kristoff is the first major character to appear in the movie, appearing in "Frozen Heart" as an eight-year-old orphan boy with his baby reindeer, Sven, who becomes his best friend. He attempts to mimic the elder ice harvesters with mixed success. Later that night, Sven is pulling him through the woods when the two horses belonging to the royal family of Arendelle ride past him at speed while transporting Anna to the trolls. Kristoff becomes intrigued as one of them is leaving behind a trail of ice (as that horse is carrying a distraught Elsa). From a distance, Kristoff watches as Pabbie, leader of the trolls, heals Anna's head. Meanwhile, one of the female trolls, Bulda, adopts Kristoff as her own child.

Thirteen years later, Kristoff is a seasoned ice harvester by trade who lives in the mountains near Arendelle. Prior to the coronation he is briefly seen in Arendelle selling ice and sharing a carrot with Sven. He next appears at Wandering Oaken's Trading Post & Sauna, arriving at the same time as Anna covered in snow and seeking to purchase carrots for Sven and rope for climbing. From Kristoff's exchange with Oaken, Anna learns that the blizzard in Arendelle comes from the North Mountain and assumes that is where Elsa is hiding. However, Kristoff is thrown out of the store for calling Oaken a crook. Seeing that Kristoff has a sled, Anna buys all of his items and urges him to take her to the North Mountain. Kristoff is reluctant to help her at first but eventually gives in.

As Anna and Kristoff head for the North Mountain, Kristoff is incredulous learning about her whirlwind engagement to Hans. The conversation is cut short when their sled is attacked by hungry wolves. The group escape, though at the cost of Kristoff's sled, to his dismay. He decides to continue helping Anna despite this setback, and the next day they meet Olaf, an anthropomorphic snowman unknowingly created by Elsa, who leads them the rest of the way to Elsa's ice castle. Kristoff waits outside while Anna tries to persuade Elsa to go back to Arendelle, believing Elsa can put an end to the winter. When Anna fails to persuade Elsa and accidentally gets hit in the heart, Kristoff knows whose help to seek and takes Anna to the trolls. The trolls initially assume Kristoff is introducing Anna to his family as his bride-to-be, but Kristoff corrects them and asks to speak to Pabbie. Regarding the ice in Anna's heart, Pabbie says only "an act of true love" can save her. Thinking a "true love's kiss" from Hans is needed, Kristoff takes Anna back to Arendelle and sadly hands her over to the care of the castle staff at the gate.

On the way back into the mountains, Sven attempts to push Kristoff back to Arendelle but he refuses, thinking it is selfish to pursue his love instead of letting Anna be saved by Hans. However, a giant snowstorm appears over Arendelle, prompting him to return out of concern for Anna's safety. There he eventually finds Anna, but Anna chooses to save Elsa from Hans instead of running to Kristoff. Kristoff has to watch Anna freeze solid, though moments later he is overjoyed as Anna's self-sacrifice counted as "an act of true love" and caused her to unfreeze. In the end, he is named Royal Ice Master and Deliverer and receives a new sled from Anna as promised, and the two share a kiss.

Frozen Fever edit

In the short film Frozen Fever, Kristoff helps Elsa plan a surprise birthday party for Anna. While taking Anna on a birthday treasure hunt throughout the kingdom, Elsa comes down with a cold and unknowingly creates little snowmen called "snowgies" with each sneeze, which create trouble for Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf. Kristoff and Olaf later take the snowgies up to Elsa's ice palace to live with Marshmallow.

Olaf's Frozen Adventure edit

Kristoff appeared in a 21-minute holiday film along with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Sven, which debuted in theaters for a limited time engagement[6] with Disney·Pixar's Coco on November 22, 2017.[7] It made its television debut on ABC on December 14, 2017.[8] Like the rest of Arendelle (save for the royal family), it is revealed that Kristoff has his own holiday tradition, this being an annual celebration honoring Flemmingrad, a jolly fungus troll that was tragically killed by humans.

Frozen II edit

In the 2019 movie, Kristoff plans to propose to Anna, but his attempts to find the right moment repeatedly fail. He and Sven accidentally become separated from Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, and he forlornly wonders whether he and Anna are growing apart. During the final battle he hears Anna agitating the jötunn and comes to her assistance. After the dam is destroyed, Kristoff, Anna, and Sven are reunited with Elsa and learn that Arendelle was saved from the torrent. After Olaf is brought back to life, Kristoff finally asks Anna to marry him, calling her the most extraordinary person he has ever known. Anna happily accepts.

Disney theme parks edit

From July 5 to September 1, 2014, as part of 'Frozen' Summer Fun show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Anna and Elsa appeared in a horse-drawn sleigh making their way down Hollywood Boulevard, alongside Kristoff and skaters, skiers and ice cutters in the Anna and Elsa's Royal Welcome section. The sisters will also make appearances in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, where they are joined by royal historians to retell the history of Arendelle; and "Frozen" Fireworks Spectacular alongside Kristoff and Olaf, a fireworks display set to the music of Frozen.[9][10] Officially starting January 7, 2014, Kristoff began making appearances alongside Anna and Elsa at Disney California Adventure in "For the First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration" in Hollywood Land as part of the park's "Frozen Fun" event.[11][12]

Stage edit

 
Obioma Ugoala as Kristoff on the West End.

In the stage adaptation of Frozen, Jelani Alladin originated the role of Kristoff on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in 2018.[13] Obioma Ugoala played Kristoff in the 2021 West End run at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.[14]

Reception edit

Collider writer Matt Goldberg commented that Kristoff was "slightly less interesting than his love-interest (Anna)", but the cuteness of Anna and Kristoff’s relationship compensates the defect.[15] Jessica Mason writing for The Mary Sue praised Kristoff's sensitive nature and supportiveness to women, describing him as "a perfect example of non-toxic masculinity". She also considered Kristoff to be a positive role model for young boys in Frozen 2.[16] Nora Dominick of BuzzFeed responded positively to his story arc in Frozen 2 for being a supportive character to Anna instead of trying to protect her and echoed fan reaction calling him the "best Disney prince".[17] Becky Kleanthous of Digital Spy considered Kristoff's characterisation to be a significant shift in Disney's representation of masculinity and gender roles, by subverting the Disney prince and creating a male character that supports the female protagonist and talks about his feelings rather than saving the day.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Bazaldua, Barbara (October 1, 2013). Frozen: The Essential Guide. DK Children. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-4654-1404-5.
  2. ^ "Kristoff (Young)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  3. ^ a b Edwards, C (26 November 2013). "In Frozen, Jonathan Groff Is Disney's New Kind of 'Prince'". Out. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  4. ^ Radish, Christina (2013-10-07). "Frozen Interview: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee Dividing the Workload". Collider. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  5. ^ "Jonathan Groff on his big 'Frozen 2' song and why he worried it'd get cut". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  6. ^ Booth, Kaitlyn (June 13, 2017). "Olaf's Frozen Adventure Trailer For The 21-Minute Featurette In Front Of Coco". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Snetiker, Marc (June 13, 2017). "John Lasseter talks Olaf's Frozen Adventure, debuts first look". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "OLAF'S FROZEN ADVENTURE Makes Broadcast Television Debut on ABC, 12/14". broadwayworld.com. December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  9. ^ Slater, Shawn (June 26, 2014). "Get Ready to Experience 'Frozen' Summer Fun – Live at Disney's Hollywood Studios". Disney Parks Blog. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  10. ^ Brigante, Ricky (June 26, 2014). "Frozen Summer Fun LIVE! coming to Walt Disney World with royal welcome, stage show, fireworks, and park wide party". Inside the Magic. Distant Creations Group, LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  11. ^ Slater, Shawn (December 5, 2014). "New 'Frozen Fun' Opens at Disneyland Resort January 7". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  12. ^ Graser, Marc (December 5, 2014). "Disney Adds 'Frozen' Experiences to Disneyland, California Adventure Theme Parks". Variety. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  13. ^ "Frozen Musical Announces Full Broadway Lead Casting". broadway.com. April 17, 2017. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Swain, Marianka (24 January 2022). "Interview: Obioma Ugoala Talks Disney's FROZEN in the West End". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  15. ^ Goldberg, Matt (November 28, 2013). "FROZEN Review". Collider.com. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  16. ^ Mason, Jessica (2020-01-02). "Kristoff in 'Frozen 2' Is a Paragon of Non-Toxic Masculinity". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  17. ^ Dominick, Nora (2019-11-25). "Everyone Is Calling Kristoff The Best Disney Prince After "Frozen 2" And Here's Why". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  18. ^ Kleanthous, Becky (2019-12-12). "Frozen 2 sees Kristoff redefining the role of Prince Charming". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2024-03-28.

External links edit

  • Official character page