Frozen 2 Review: Here's What I Think

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When the first trailer came out for Frozen 2, I was surprised how grim and dark the snippet of film seemed to me (Get Ready to Return to Arendelle). We all know that trailers can be deceiving since it’s the studio’s way of leaving you with questions, creating hype and making you want to see the movie, so although I thought it was dark, I didn’t think that’s how the entire movie would be.

The trailers released left me with so many questions – Why was Elsa born with magical powers? Who are these new characters? Will Elsa’s powers be enough to keep them all safe?

I was able to see the world premiere of Frozen 2 when I visited Burbank recently and finally have some of answers.

what did I think?

Is Frozen 2 as good as the original? Yes, but different. Very different. Will it be as huge as the original? I’m not sure. I hope it is since I really loved it but I’m just not sure because it is so very different.

The original Frozen was such a huge success that I honestly felt there would never be a sequel. Disney and the creators didn’t agree. They felt there was still more story to tell.

I think that the young lovers of the original Frozen are now 6 years older than they were when they fell in love with the original, and they will love Frozen 2. They will love it because it continues the story they already understand. Because they are older, they almost need to know the rest of the story. Adults will love it for the same reason.

Little ones seeing Frozen 2 as their “first Frozen” will either love it or hate it. Personally, I think little boys will be the bigger fans. The princesses are still there for the little girls but there is so much more action, so much more in Frozen 2 that draws little boys in – was that the Disney plan? Was Disney looking to draw in an entirely new Frozen fan base?

If that was the goal – they did it. Along with all the princess loving little girls, there are new characters that will draw in little boys. The music, the story and the comedic scenes will draw in new adult fans.

There are parts of the film that can be concerning for younger audiences. We find out what happened to Anna and Elsa’s parents. We find out where Elsa’s powers came from.

There are a handful of frightening fight scenes. I don’t think we could find out all the things we needed to find out without those frightening scenes. Those scenes make total sense to the story.

Those same scenes could easily scare or upset a super sensitive child. Quite often I feel like there are intense scenes in a movie that don’t need to be there and often question why they are. These scenes NEED to be in Frozen 2. They explain so much about Elsa. They explain so much about the entire first Frozen story.

While the original Frozen focused on Elsa’s struggles to get her magical powers under control while repairing her relationship with her sister, Frozen 2 goes deep into the family’s past story and the origin of the powers. Those scenes are definitely necessary to the story.

The Message

Every Disney film offers a message about life. Something that is a huge theme of each Disney movie that helps the audience learn a lesson. Frozen 2 offers many.

In Frozen 2, Olaf has matured. The film takes place 3 years after the first one, and Olaf, now with permafrost, is realizing the concept of change. He expresses his concern with everyone around him getting older, just like when kids finally realize that everyone eventually grows up.

Frozen 2 has an underlying theme of responding to and becoming comfortable with change. Difficult change in life brings about personal growth. Difficult change, although tough at times, often brings about triumph.

In Frozen we celebrated sisters and female empowerment. In Frozen 2 that continues but men are also represented. I think another message of Frozen 2 comes from that male representation. There is a moment in the film when Anna apologizes to Kristoff for something and he says, ‘It’s okay. My love is not fragile.’ A small moment with a huge message. Love is not one sided. True, deep love should be unconditional. This message comes from a man.

“The past is not what it seems”? No better message could come out of any film. The past shapes us and everyone around us. Don’t assume you know the real past of those around you. The REAL past that has made them who they are.

The biggest message of all in Frozen 2 in my opinion: people of different factions can come together and work together during a crisis. They can put aside small (and big) differences for the greater good.

I would venture a guess that there are even more hidden messages in Frozen 2 but I’ll have to watch it again to pick up on some more.

The Ending

Although I would love to tell you the ending. I won’t. I won’t because I think you need to watch the film to understand the ending. If I were to give you the ending, you would go into watching Frozen 2 with a pre-conceived idea of your feelings about the entire film. Some of you might actually be annoyed if you don’t see the entire film because you need the entire movie so that you understand the ending.

What I will tell you is the ending was a total shocker to me but in a happy way. The ending is not at all what anyone expects. But the ending makes total sense after all we learn throughout the film.

Frozen 2 shows us an evolution of the characters we love. It also acknowledges that the original fanbase has grown over the last 6 years, and they have new things to learn in a changing world.

The Music of Frozen 2

Completely different and new so if you are expecting the same sort of stuff that we had in the original – Let It Go!

The new songs are outstanding. The new songs are intense. The new songs will be hits. The new songs are totally different than the ones we all still singing from the original.

Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) has a huge musical number that will have adults hysterical because they will get it. His ’80s-tinged rock ballad is a highlight. Kids will think it’s cute but adults will definitely be the biggest fans of Kristoff’s breakout music video that I’m sure will come.

The soundtrack features seven original songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The vocal talents of Idina Menzel (Elsa), Kristen Bell (Anna), Josh Gad (Olaf), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff) and Evan Rachel Wood (Iduna), are heard in “All Is Found,” “Some Things Never Change,” “Into the Unknown,” “When I Am Older,” “Lost in the Woods,” “Show Yourself” and “The Next Right Thing.”

All of the songs in Frozen 2 definitely reflect the growth of the characters and the deepening of their stories. The music helps us understand the story. The music is fun, personal, powerful and epic.

The highlights for me – “When I Am Older” performed by Josh Gad (Olaf) and “Lost in the Woods” performed by Jonathan Groff (Kristoff). I’m sure everyone will find “Lost in the Woods” an instant hit since the premiere audience broke out in a chorus of hoots and cheers and huge applause when it was finished.

Frozen 2 is set to blow into theaters

on November 22, 2019.