'Frozen' short animation to play before 'Cinderella' live action

MANILA, Philippines- “Frozen” sequel short—which will play in front of the live-action “Cinderella” — has Elsa (Idina Menzel) trying to throw a big, birthday bash for Anna (Kristen Bell).

However, it turns out the cold can bother Elsa, and the way she experiences the symptoms is different than everybody else. “Elsa doesn’t get a cold in the usual way,” co-director Jennifer Lee tells USA Today. “She’s special. Surprising things occur that wreak a little havoc.” Lee and co-director Chris Buck promise other surprises as well.

Olaf (Josh Gad), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), and Sven will also be coming back for the festivities as they’ve become part of this unusual family.

And if you are just starting to get “Let It Go” out of your head, consider yourself warned: Oscar-winning composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez have written another catchy tune.

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home.

But when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella. Ella could easily begin to lose hope, yet despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, she is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her.

And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit.

Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Cinderella will be released in the Philippines on  March 12 through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International.