Review Summary: Engaging and stunning, but never reaches the original.
Audiences just couldn't let the original Frozen go. As far as Disney movies go, it was definitely a game-changer. For once, it wasn't just the girl and the guy getting married. It was two sisters becoming a family again. Not to mention the music was among the best Disney had done in quite some time (which led the film to two Oscars back in 2014). And with record numbers, you'd think you'd have no choice but to make a sequel.
The truth is, some films are better being left alone. And as someone who loved the original, I can't shake the feeling that this sequel was unnecessary. Mostly because the first one ended at such a good place. Yet, the creative and dedicated effort is there. Returning directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee (the latter also wrote the scripts for both), producer Peter Del Vecho, and songwriters Kristen and Robert Lopez definitely put their heart and soul to try and make a different, more interesting follow-up.
And to some extent, they succeed. Frozen 2 goes in a completely different direction than the original, and in some ways, it's like the How to Train Your Dragon movies. The route they go here is darker, more mature and more subversive (which is a sequel trope I'm getting a little tired of). Yet, the story crew manages to keep things light along the way (some of it thanks to Olaf), which is something the second Dragon movie was missing.
However, the film gets so caught up with being a more mature, sophisticated story that the overall plot becomes too complicated. There were several moments here where I was lost with where the story was going. The film tries to tie in Anna and Elsa's parents' backstory to Elsa trying to figure out who is calling her and the Northuldra tribe's problems with Arendelle, and it becomes a real stretch to keep up with. The script has way too much exposition, and there's not enough flashbacks to really tie things together. Now, the filmmaking crew comes up with a couple of interesting twists on the "flashback" approach, but the final result leads to more confusion than it needed.
That being said, the film's continued development of Anna and Elsa as characters is strong. And they are given several strong moments of dialog, even more so than in the original. Kristoff seems to be given more depth this time also. And the vocal performances reflect the development as well. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel both show off more vulnerable sides to their characters very convincingly, while Josh Gad steals the show again as Olaf. As for new characters, Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown are solid additions.
Olaf is given several great jokes that succeed in being relief in some of the more downright serious moments. Like the film's fans, he's grown up a little and has some hysterical realizations and questions. There's even a moment where he summarizes the first movie's plot to a group of new characters, which is hysterical, but not exactly needed. In fact, there's a lot of humorous callbacks to the original. But like I mentioned a second ago, the film relies a little too much on these references, and would have been even stronger without them.
However, the film has two major strengths. First, the songs (for the most part) are fantastic. Elsa is given not one, but two memorable songs. My preference is "Into the Unknown", which carries a memorable, haunting vibe. But "Show Yourself" is just about as strong, with an ending that reminded me of "Defying Gravity" from Wicked (Menzel's impressive range of course on display). Olaf's "When I Am Older" fits his character's persona perfectly, while Anna gets the film's final song "The Next Right Thing". Hitting on some serious themes, her song is perhaps the one with the biggest emotional impact. Meanwhile, Wood gives a unique performance for the opening lullaby "All is Found".
The only song that really doesn't quite fit is Kristoff's song "Lost in the Woods". I understand fully why the songwriters wanted to have it in the movie, as he had little to nothing to do in the original. But the approach is all wrong. The sound is more akin to a Donny Osmond 90's tune than a Disney song or Broadway tune. And the way its' filmed and animated (like a music video from that era) pulls you out of the story and doesn't gel with the rest of the film's tone. The song actually starts off with a quick reprise of "Reindeers are Better than People" from the original movie, and that might would have been more effective with a few more lyrics added in.
The other major strength is the animation, which is stunning. The backgrounds carry a painterly, abstract and realistic quality that reminded me a lot of Eyvind Earle's work in Sleeping Beauty. Characters are given more creative and artistic touches (while not losing their signature Disney look in the process, and there's a few very stunning sequences that I wish to not spoil.
Ultimately, I've thought of the 2010 Disney films to be similar to some of the 90's Disney films for this generation. If Tangled is The Little Mermaid of this generation, Frozen would be Beauty and the Beast and Moana would be Aladdin. Of course then, what would be this generation's The Lion King? Coming out of Frozen 2, I think this is more or less the Pocahontas of this generation.
That's both a complement and a criticism. On the positive end of things, both Pocahontas and Frozen 2 have terrific soundtracks and great animation. They also have some memorable moments with characters. However, Pocahontas isn't remembered nearly as well due to its' strict "Romeo and Juliet" style story that plays it pretty safe. And, with a story that has too much going on, I think Frozen 2 is going to go the same route in terms of impact.
Now, there's no doubt that the crew tried really hard to make an effective sequel. And, there are moments it really wows. But the one thing that's supposed to hold it all together could have used some work. And its' the convoluted nature of the story that holds it back from truly soaring and reaching the classic level of its' predecessor.
However, for those who keep their expectations in check, Frozen 2 is still an entertaining and at times intriguing effort from Disney Animation.
My Score: 7.5/10
Content Concerns for Family Viewing:
Rating: PG (for "action/peril and some thematic elements")
Recommended age range: ages 7/8 and up (based on child's maturity and sensitivity)
Language: One unfinished use of “what the…?”
Adult Content: Anna asks Kristoff about what they want to do while sleigh-riding alone (and makes a kissing face). And they do kiss a handful of times. In response to Kristoff dressing fancy for one moment, Anna says, “I prefer you in leather anyway.” A low-cut dress or two. As a child, Anna (innocently) pretends to have a prince and princess doll kiss, and say they all get married (to Elsa’s disgust).
Violence: There are a handful of scenes that may frighten younger children. The most intense is a scene where Elsa uses her magic to try and tame a water horse. At one point, Elsa is shown being dragged through water and almost appears to be passing out from water intake. The four elemental “spirits” are shown to be dangerous. The fire spirit causes a major forest fire, which causes a major perilous situation and trees to fall. A flood nearly engulfs Arendelle. Some characters fall from significant heights. Others get blown about “Wizard of Oz” style in a tornado. One character gets frozen into ice. Olaf’s body gets blown apart, kicked, his arms ripped, etc. (for comedic purposes mostly). We see a battle scene early on in the film that involves some combat (it’s fairly brief).
Somewhat scary rock monsters throw stones and destroy a dam. A series of heavy winds causes some minor property damage in Arendelle. We see ice sculptures depicting violent events right before they happen (for instance, someone about to murder a Northuldra leader). Anna and Olaf go on a slightly reckless ride in an ice canoe, including plunging down a waterfall.
Drugs/Alcohol: None
Other: Olaf talks briefly about how wombats “poop in squares,” and his lack of clothes as well (saying he finds clothes “restricting”). He talks about how the water we drink goes through four different specimens (pointing to Sven’s rear end in the process, leading the reindeer to spit the water out in disgust). Olaf briefly warns others about touching his feet, saying, “you don’t know where they’ve been.” Some spiritual elements, with elemental spirits shown for earth, water, fire, and air (yes, that does sound like “Avatar: The Last Airbender” doesn’t it?). And while some of these spirits later turn out to be animals (at least in appearance), they seem to have strong powers. SPOILER ALERT: We later learn that a character is the “fifth spirit,” meant to be a bridge between the two worlds and four elements. (End Spoiler)
We hear a bit about Northuldra religious tradition. It’s suggested that a river has the power to hold memories, and that water contains memory. Elsa and Anna’s parents apparently have some sort of spiritual connection to Elsa, but it’s relatively unexplained. The plot point and problem about how Arendelle severed relations with the Northuldra tribe may remind some of political reparations and today’s complicated relationships between modern-day America and Native Americans. Two characters appear to die at one point, which will likely upset sensitive children.
