Frozen 2 (2019) (Movie Review)

  The 2013 animated Disney hit “Frozen” needs no introduction, as it was a rare decade picture to receive universal attention, and wide-spread marketing. As for me, I found it a refreshing experience, as well as welcome reminder that Disney can still make great classic movies that can appeal to both kids and adults. Years later, I still like the movie, and enjoy watching now and then, but I must say … to much of a good thing can spoil fast. Like many others, I got irritated by how many times we heard the songs, how the merch was everywhere, and that the studio just refused to let this hit die … so throw in multiple short films, spin-offs, and most recently … a theatrical animated sequel. While Disney is no stranger to sequels, this is a rare case in which one got the theatrical treatment. I can’t say I was hyped for the film, but I also knew I wanted to hear the new songs, see the quality animation on display, and reunite with its lovable cast of characters. I figured if the film could at least do those elements right, I wouldn’t be too disappointed … and truthfully, I got exactly what I expected … an okay sequel with terrific new songs and pleasing visuals, but not a whole lot else.   

  Sense a sequel was unavoidable, I always imagined a follow-up to “Frozen” revolving around the younger sister Anna, who may be developing mysterious elemental powers of her own, which would set her off on a journey of discovery, with her older sister Elsa insistent on watching over her. Then at the end, the older sister would have to find the courage to let her little sister go and make a life for herself. Oddly enough, we get the complete opposite of what I was expecting in this sequel. Instead it’s Queen Elsa being called to adventure by a mysterious voice, which sets her on a journey to discover treacherous secrets of the Kingdoms past, and calm the angry elemental sprits who are threatening her home. Along the way, little sister Anna is determined to be there to protect her older sister … even though she doesn’t have any ice powers … and Else could probably take care of herself. In the end, it’s actually little sister Anna who has to let her older sister go, and make a new life for herself outside the Kingdome. As a result, … I literally have polar opposite feelings for our leads.

  On the one hand, I find Elsa’s story more intriguing and layered, but I don’t find her a very engaging screen presence. Anna by contrast is one of the most delightful animated characters to ever come from Disney, as well as the one I want to watch on screen … but she’s barely given a story of her own, at least until the very end, in which she needs to make a choice that will save the Kingdome. I suppose the two girls are meant to complement each-other this way … one with the story and the other with the screen appeal, and their relation is obviously at the heart of the film. Unfortunately, they get split-up at one point, and I find myself irritated as nether work by-themselves. It’s especially bothersome because both girls worked terrific on their own in the first movie, each with an engaging story and both chalk full of personality. Also, make sure the other main characters from the first are present in this film, and that’s about it. I actually loved the relation between Anna and mountain-man Kristoff, as I felt they had genuine chemistry, and their romance was given just the right amount of attention. In this movie however, it’s all condensed into a really annoying joke of one guy trying to propose, and the girl just freaking-out over nothing. It honestly got so annoying that I didn’t even want to see them together.        

  Okay, let’s talk positives … the soundtrack … absolutely fantastic! The big number that was in all the marketing, as well as received an Oscar nomination for best original song was Elsa’s “Into the Unknown”, and … yup … it’s a great musical number … enough said. The opening lullaby titled “All is found” is another really great number, which relies on soothing atmosphere and mood to leave an impression. Anna’s song called “The Next Right Thing” is another emotional highlight, with great lyrics, a somber theme, and yet, it works to build encouragement in younger viewers who may be overcoming their own obstacles. Even Kristoff’s 80’s style musical number titled “Lost in the Woods” is a lot of fun for just how over the top, overly stylized, and goofy it is. 

My favorite song, as well as favorite sequence in the whole film is Elsa’s other solo number titled “Show Yourself!”. Despite being an imitation of the iconic “Let it Go” number, this is still a great scene, with dazzling visuals, emotional character animation, and a tempo that’s equal parts catchy and triumphant. Being honest, I find myself liking this song number even more than the actual “Let it Go”. All around, I feel this is a case in which the sum of the movie’s parts are better than the whole … and in my opinion, this song selection is far better than the movie surrounding it. Whereas I loved the songs from the first, I felt that they were also at eye-level with the film’s other qualities. By contrast, when I think of “Frozen 2”, all I remember is how much I love these songs, and how they stand out among everything else in the film. Not only do they sound great, and look fantastic, but I also feel the most emotion and passion from these musical numbers. I honestly get the impression that the righters created these terrific songs first, and then created a plot to bridge them together.

   Actually, a good half of the film comes off like great story ideas mixed with filler to pad the runtime to theatrical length. As a result, the experience just doesn’t flow with the same subtle direction as the first. There are still cool ideas present, and I do like that it expands the mythos and lore of the setting. We have all these new elemental spirits, monsters, and a cute little fire lizard who … honestly makes me think of Rapunzel's little lizard side-kick, but I’ll take it. Even the animation is arguably better then the first, although I personally preferred the look and feel of the original “Frozen” over this one. There was just something special to how that first movie made winter look so magical and colorful, whereas the atom scenery in the sequel is fine, but it just doesn’t feel as magical … despite literally having more magical elements on display. Also, I felt the ending spoiled a perfect opportunity to mature the Disney formula. Without going into to-much detail, the climax builds-up to this one big decision that will save the day, but also have noticeable repercussions. I was actually getting really excited … but then it wimps-out and gives us a resolve with no sacrifice or lose, and … boy, I felt this film was going to a new level a mature storytelling, but instead we get an anti-climax.    

   Overall, 2019 was a great year for animated sequels, with both “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”, and the Oscar winning animated picture “Toy Story 4” being highly satisfying conclusions to top-tier animation franchises. It was almost by default that “Frozen 2” would be the least good of the years animated sequels, but sometimes it’s okay to just be … well ... an okay sequel. I certainly wouldn’t put “Frozen 2” on the same high bar of its predecessor, as the narrative was a little rocky, with an overabundance of new plot details, and it sadly didn’t flow like an experience the same way the first did. Heck, it wasn’t even nominated for best animated picture, unlike the two previously mentioned animated sequels. Even it’s one nomination for best original song was lost to Lady Gaga’s “Shallow”, from “A Star is Born”. Never the less, “Frozen 2” was still a fun little animated venture, with solid musical numbers, gorgeous visuals, and an expanded mythos. Of course, it was also a welcome reunion with these wonderful characters, namely our two leading ladies, who’s emotional ties absolutely carry the film through its average plot narrative. Not a perfect sequel, but just good enough to make it worthwhile.

Thanks for reading my review of the 2019 animated sequel “Frozen 2” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!