Frozen 2 was released into theaters on November 27,
2019 and is the sequel to smash hit Frozen (2013). Many from the
original film return for its sequel. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee,
songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and composer Christophe
Beck all return. As well as actors Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and
Jonathan Geoff returns as their characters: Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff. Frozen
2 is set three years after the original film when a new threat comes to
Arendelle and it is up to Anna and Elsa to save the day. The movie is currently
on DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming on Disney+. As I do with all my movie reviews, I
will give a spoiler free synopsis and discuss what I did and didn’t like about
the film.
The movie opens as King Agnar tells a story to a young Anna
and Elsa about their grandfather, King Runeard, who established a treaty with
the neighboring tribe of Northuldra who resides in the Enchanted Forest. Soon
after, a fight occurs, resulting in Runeard’s death and enraging the elemental
spirits of the forest. The spirits disappeared and a wall of mist traps everyone
in the Enchanted Forest. Agnar barely escapes due to a mysterious savior, Fast
forward to present day, life is going well in Arendelle. Until one night, Elsa
hears a mysterious voice call out to her. After much resistance, she decides to
follow it and causes the elemental spirits to awaken which forces everyone out
of the kingdom. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven embark on a journey to the
Enchanted Forest to save the people of Arendelle and discover who the
mysterious siren who calls to Elsa.
There are three major elements that I liked about the film.
First, the story is great. Anna and Elsa discover the story they’ve been told
about their grandfather and the Enchanted Forest may not be exactly the truth.
In order to save Arendelle, they must discover what went wrong and the right that
wrong. It also explains that there are three sides to the story: one side’s
version, the other side’s version and somewhere in the middle is the truth. Second,
I liked that there wasn’t a stereotypical “villain.” The fight is against the
past and the attempts to right a wrong as much as anyone can. Although this was
criticism in many reviews I read, I liked that the characters weren’t up
against an evil person. Third, the idea that water has memory. Even though
science has proven this to not be the case (but since when is science important
in a fairy tale?), it is a theme I have heard before. Along with the idea that
water is healing, having memory helps Anna and Elsa discover the truth behind
the events which caused the Enchanted Forest to be sealed off and what they
need to do to solve the problem.
There are a couple elements of the film that I didn’t care
for. First, the music wasn’t on par with the original film. While “Into the
Unknown” is a good song, it didn’t have the same impact as “Let it Go.” Olaf’s
song, “When I am Older” had the same musical style of his song, “In Summer”
from the first time. “In Summer” was a more enjoyable song as it was comedic as
to Olaf’s blissful ignorance. “When I am Older” tried to capture that same
comedic ignorance, but I feel it fell short. The music wasn’t bad and was
enjoyable but wasn’t on the same lines of the first film. Second, Frozen 2
may not be as rewatchable as the first film. My daughter, who was 2 when she
saw the first film had watched it over and over for years. Now she is 8 and
enjoyed the first viewing of Frozen 2, but quickly got bored when
watching it a second time.
In conclusion, Disney has always had a hit and miss history
with it comes to sequels. The majority of their film’s sequels were direct to
video. The Toy Story franchise has been insanely popular (although I would
argue that the fourth film as not necessary) and broke the mold that sequels
couldn’t be successful in theaters. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
wasn’t as good as it’s original film and an unnecessary sequel. I enjoyed Frozen
2 for its story and, some level, the music. However, it wasn’t as memorable
as its predecessor. I don’t see many children annoying the adults with their
constant singing of “Into the Unknown” as they did with “Let it Go.” I do
recommend Frozen 2. If you enjoyed the first film, you may enjoy its
sequel.
