Out now in theaters just in time for the holiday season is Disney’s FROZEN 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the multi award-winning 2013 film that was a huge hit – and the cause of adults everywhere suffering through their children’s repeated choruses of “Let it Go.”
In this follow-up, we’re back in the fantasy queendom of Arendelle, where sisters Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Princess Anna (Kristen Bell) have created a harmonious society after defeating those who sought to keep them apart in the first film. Life is good and relationships are flourishing, until Elsa decides to find the source of a mysterious call, she believes is meant for her.
With returning characters Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad) and Kristoff’s trusted reindeer Sven, the sisters set off on another adventure that entails them encountering dangerous foes, discovering unknown truths and obtaining a purpose that neither would have seen coming.
There’s also the inclusion of several new and interesting characters, including Mattias (voiced by Sterling K. Brown), Iduna (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood), Agnarr (voiced by Alfred Molina) and Ryder (voiced by Jason Ritter).
But does the film live up to the hype of the first? The simple answer is yes, but it doesn’t surpass it. “Frozen 2” is a visually gorgeous spectacle, that succeeds the “love saves the day” theme of the first with a “connected by love” motif.
The sequel is also quite funny, with Gad’s Olaf landing zingers that continue to show why he was comedy gold in the first, and cleverly pokes fun at itself with a “Let it Go” reference that I’m sure those parents I mentioned earlier can greatly appreciate.
And although I don’t think the hallmark song of the film, “Into the Unknown,” is as catchy (and ultimately annoying) as “Let it Go,” it is a good tune that fits nicely into and propels the story forward.
My personal favorite is a song entitled “Lost in the Woods,” which is performed by Jonathan Groff’s Kristoff in the film – complete with an animated video montage that immediately provokes thoughts of 70-80’s classic rock bands in the vein of Chicago, Journey and Queen.
On the whole, FROZEN 2 is a fun sequel with a solid story, good music and great themes – that old and new fans alike can most certainly find attractive. It would be a great holiday outing for the family – although, as with many Disney films, I caution parents with tiny ones to use discretion regarding darker themes (e.g. death). I rate “Frozen 2” 3.5 out of 5 beats on the MMTrometer.
Until next thought, Thomasena
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