It seems like Elsa just couldn’t let go of the past even as she finally stepped into the unknown in the upcoming sequel Frozen 2. With Frozen going far beyond an average animated Disney princess movie (a $1.2 billion box office hit!) in 2013, overthrowing fairy-tale notions of true love and having a soundtrack we all loved; a sequel was practically inevitable (even if it was after six long years). And it’s not because it was necessary or demanded, but because Frozen’s ending, although a happy one, gives way to Frozen 2: a big-screen sequel that is bigger, bolder, and even more epic.
Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and written by Jennifer Lee and Allison Schroeder; the beginning of Frozen 2 revolves around the Enchanted Forest as told by Elsa and Anna’s father, opening the movie and finally picking up a few years after the first one.
Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) is finally in control of her ice powers, ruling Arendelle and is living with love and warmth with her sister Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), Kristoff, Sven (voiced by Jonathan Groff), and of course, the warm, hugs-loving snowman Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad).
Frozen 2 involves a lot less ice compared to the first one, swapping to a gorgeous autumnal aesthetic instead with golden leaves, hazy sunsets, and open fires; and bolstered by a string of musical numbers that deal with ideas of growth and impermanence (and let’s not forget: songs that we won’t be getting out of our heads once again). Frozen 2 isn’t just set in a season of change and the inevitability of it, but also the truth about Elsa and Anna’s past.
Elsa and the rest of the group set off on a quest tied in with the mystery surrounding Elsa and Anna’s family history, starting with the Enchanted Forest and incorporating epic fantasy elements from Middle-Earthian stone giants to elemental spirits to indigenous tribal communities as Elsa hears a voice ringing in her ears, threatening Arendelle and luring her into the unknown. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world; but in Frozen 2, she hopes they are enough for her to find out the truth about her powers and her family, and to save Arendelle.
Songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez’s musical hits are the highlights of the movie – from Olaf’s hasty recap of the previous adventure in the film’s funniest sequence (it surely is a laugh!) to a witty number repressing his trauma as he’s menaced by forest spirits to Kristoff’s half-hearted “music video” of mopey soft-rock ballads to Elsa and Anna’s iconic duets. As for “Let It Go”, it is not only winked at in a sharp gag, but is even followed up with a double whammy of Elsa-bangers: two fresh songs of spine-tingling self-discovery entitled “Into the Unknown” and “Show Yourself.”
The narrative story of Frozen 2 may seem a bit hazy, especially for children; but the movie offers far more stylish and more detailed graphics than the first movie. Frozen 2’s graphics are so realistic, you’ll actually feel like you’re part of the movie. Despite its autumnal aesthetic, the essence of ice never leaves the movie as it plays the biggest role in the movie (I think it’s obvious why, but there’s more to the story). Every scene with ice in it is beautiful and enigmatic.
Frozen 2 is one of the more daring visions of the future of Disney moviemaking. The movie still delivers where it really counts – the essence of true love: the emotional beats and relationships between Elsa and Anna, who continually strengthen and uplift each other across the runtime as they step into the unknown.
The much-awaited animated movie Frozen 2 is now showing in SM Cinemas. Are you ready to follow the voice and step into the unknown?
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