MUST READ: Frozen 2 Review – Into the Unknown
“Because when you’re older, absolutely everything makes sense.”
In late 2013, Walt Disney Pictures caught lightning in a bottle with their instant classic, Frozen. The computer-animated movie became the studio’s most iconic non-Pixar release of the 21st century. For a remarkably extended period, Frozen Fever dominated Disney theme parks and Halloween costumes.
Patiently, fans of the film have awaited the much-anticipated sequel. Thankfully, the sequel has finally arrived in theaters. Does it live up to the hype and justify the wait? Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes. Here’s a (glowing) review of Frozen 2.
A Return to Arendelle
Frozen undeniably took the world by storm a few years ago. The animation team constructed a magical place called Arendelle that seemed eerily similar to Norway. The sights and sounds somewhat aligned with Norse mythology, but the real inspiration was always Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen.
Princess Elsa of the royal family became Disney’s equivalent to the Snow Queen. She’s next in line to the throne, yet she’s never felt comfortable in society due to her powers. They tend to frighten the locals, a problem that doesn’t build loyalty among her subjects.
Younger sister, Anna, is totally different. A natural leader, she’s fiery and devoted to Arendelle and, especially, her family. When Elsa left Arendelle on a voyage of self-discovery, Anna, the one without powers, somehow saved the day.
To many fans, Frozen’s primary characters are Anna and Elsa, but the town itself has functioned as a secondary character. Children dream of visiting this fantasy realm. Alas, we’ve all changed over the past six years, and so has Arendelle.
Frozen 2 doesn’t run away from this kind of personal growth. Instead, the film leans into the fact that we’ve all evolved. Olaf the Snowman exemplifies these changes. No longer a newborn snow baby, he’s grown up a great deal.
Olaf has become a bookworm with a curious mind and seeks answers to all of life’s questions. He’s also got a bit of Cliff Clavin in him, as the newer, more mature Olaf loves to spout out useless knowledge to his friends. For example, did you know that water has memory?
The Princesses That You Love on a New Adventure
Anna and Elsa once again dominate the story of Frozen 2. The two sisters each possess a story arc and a quest of sorts in the sequel. For Elsa, there’s a voice that only she hears. It compels her to venture outside of Arendelle once again. This time, the Enchanted Forest beckons her to enter. While ordinary people cannot enter this place, the Snow Queen’s elemental powers grant her access.
Anyone who has watched Frozen recognizes that Anna absolutely will not let her sister head off on an adventure alone. Anna insists on coming along, and Olaf joins them, too.
Anna’s struggles in the sequel are both external and internal. Arendelle once again faces peril, while Elsa continues to throw herself into danger recklessly but willingly. Anna has matured into a noble, confident woman, and, I would argue, the emotional core of Frozen 2. She’s good for the sake of good, a classic style of Disney heroine that hasn’t always been the model during the 2000s.
The Dudes of Frozen 2
As for Olaf, he’s portrayed as comic relief this time. As a multi-piece snowman, he can split apart and come together seemingly at will. This ability affords the animation team many opportunities for sight gags. You may fall into the trap of dismissing him for this reason.
In reality, Olaf’s dialogue meticulously lays out the philosophy of Frozen 2. Writer/co-director Jennifer Lee hides this fact in plain sight, but you may ignore it since the character’s so silly, at least on the surface level.
As for Anna’s main squeeze, Kristoff, he certainly won’t abandon his girlfriend in her time of need. He and his reindeer bestie, Sven, join Arendelle’s royalty on their journey. And since Olaf is effectively Anna and Elsa’s shared pet, he comes too.
Anyone who has watched the trailers from Frozen 2 – and judging by the numbers, that’s most of you – knows that another “pet” appears in the film. While some Disney creatures seem cynically designed for toy sales, the purple (but sometimes blue!) salamander in the Enchanted Forest serves a purpose. In fact, he’s not the only powerful creature that Elsa encounters.
Non-Spoiler Discussion of Frozen 2
Disney also introduces new characters to the main group of five. Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) and Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope) portray opposing leaders trapped in an impossible situation. Their nobility shines through their voice acting work to the degree that I idly wondered whether Disney+ might eventually create a limited series based on their characters. They’re that engaging.
The conflict that the two characters face is classic Disney. They’re at war in a battle that neither side can win and more alike than different. When Elsa and Anna join their conflict, the struggle takes a backseat to the safety of all involved. And that’s where Frozen 2 delivers consistent surprises.
You’ll find no villain in this story. No one from Weselton tries to steal a crown. No big bad threatens the sisters. Instead, Frozen 2 takes a more mature, profound approach to storytelling.
The struggles here involve the elements, history, and the nature of humanity/family. Anna and Elsa unintentionally discover life-changing information about their parents and their grandfather. Some of it is tragic, some heroic, and some infuriating. You’ll experience real emotions while watching this film, just like you always have with the best of Disney animation.
The Triumph of Frozen 2
Ultimately, you’ll see Anna and Elsa in a new light. Each woman augments character aspects from the first film in fitting ways here. Thanks in large part to the success of Frozen, Jennifer Lee earned the title of Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Frozen 2 functions as something of an early litmus test for who she’ll be as the leader of the most important animation group in the world.
Lee aces her first test with this story, which refuses to take easy outs. Characters face real struggles, many of them involving identity. Elsa struggles with a dilemma about something that her family has done. The choice that she makes has ripple effects on Anna figuratively and Olaf literally. Her nobility at this moment is profound, yet Anna somehow supersedes her.
Anna provided the emotional foundation of Frozen. With the sequel, she willingly embraces her selfless nature in unusual and profound ways. Rather than dwell on negatives from Arendelle’s past, she pushes her family and her people forward by doing the next right thing.
Pop culture has explored critical philosophical ideas in recent works like Kubo and the Two Strings, Moana, and The Good Place. Frozen 2 takes the ball and runs with it, firmly establishing that the sisters won’t take ethical shortcuts. On the contrary, the challenges that the women face in the film stem from their willingness to do what’s right at any cost.
Those who don’t care about philosophy may be freaking out right now. They may worry that Frozen 2 is some boring treatise. To those folks, I can happily confirm that the philosophy is similar to Olaf’s maturation. It’s only there when you look for it. Anyone seeking another trip to Arendelle and the places around it is in for a treat.
The sequel deftly expands the Frozen universe without sacrificing the story or entertainment value. The children in our theater adored it, but some of the parents laughed that much louder. One laughed so hard that I worried about her safety. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become yet another billion-dollar blockbuster for Disney.
I also expect it to earn several Academy Awards nominations for its animation and music, two staples of the film that I’ve barely even mentioned. I just presume that you know those parts are terrific…and they really, really are. Honestly, the movie’s so terrific that I could write 5,000 more words about its majesty. I fully expect it to finish in my top 5 for 2019. It’s an easy A+.
