I’m … not sure what the other critics are talking about. At the time of writing, the 58th animated film from Walt Disney Pictures has a 76 percent rating from critics, and 93 percent from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. I know you can’t always take critics and audiences at their word, but when it comes to Frozen II, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was never going to top the 2013 smash hit that came before it, but it didn’t have to; all it had to do was entertain, and it did that and more.
The film takes place three years after the original film, when Queen Elsa of Arendelle (Idina Menzel) starts hearing a voice calling to her. After she inadvertently awakens four elemental spirits, she puts the entire kingdom in jeopardy. She travels north, accompanied by her sister Anna (Kristen Bell), Anna’s boyfriend Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf the snowman (Josh Gad), and Sven the reindeer, hoping to uncover the mysteries of the past and restore peace to Arendelle.
The new and returning cast members all do a great job, especially Menzel as Elsa, Bell as Anna, and Gad as Olaf. I will admit that while everyone did a great job, the first act was a little clunky until they get to the enchanted forest. That’s when the film really starts to pick up speed. There are also emotional moments in the film that Bell and Menzel carry on the strength of their performances; they continue to be believable as sisters, and feel even closer than they were at the end of the last film. Gad also has some funny moments as Olaf, though I’m not sure if you can ever top the hilarious simplicity of a snowman who wants to know what summer is like. In addition, Groff has quite a few humorous moments as Kristoff, as he tries throughout the movie to propose to Anna, all while stepping on his own toes. Part of this particular saga culminates in a rock ballad-style song that so closely follows the tropes of some music videos that I’m surprised it wasn’t released as part of the film’s marketing.
Speaking of the music, while it could never have a song as catchy, inspirational, or as admittedly overplayed as “Let It Go” from Frozen, there are some songs in here that are heartfelt, funny, and downright inspiring. I particularly liked “Into the Unknown” and “Show Yourself,” two Elsa-led power ballads cut from the same cloth as “Let It Go.” Another song that I enjoyed was “The Next Right Thing,” which Anna sings when she is at her lowest point, which I’ll talk about later; it was tragic and determined all at the same time, something you don’t see too too often in Disney movies nowadays.
To reiterate, there was no way that this movie was going to outdo the original Frozen, because of that film’s unexpected success. And that may be a sticking point for a lot of people, especially those who didn’t feel like a sequel was necessary. But there are a few elements that give Frozen II a bit of a leg up over its predecessor. First and foremost, the animation in this film is breathtaking; the first one looked amazing, but this film takes it to another level. No matter the quality of the film, new animated Disney films are an indication of how far computer animation has come in the past 25 years.
Second, and this may constitute a minor spoiler, but there’s no real villain in this movie. I noticed that in 2016’s Moana as well, and while I do sometimes miss the clear-cut villains of the first Disney Renaissance, for Moana and for Frozen II, it really works. The only real “villains” of this movie are the characters’ own insecurities and how they move forward with them. Elsa starts the movie happy but also feeling like there’s something else she’s meant to do. There’s a moment in the film where Anna sings a whole song about feeling like all hope is lost, but in spite of that, she keeps moving forward to “do the next right thing.” For a Disney movie to do a song about dealing with depression is an unexpected and welcomed surprise.
Now, because we now have a successful sequel to Frozen, I feel the need to address the elephant in the room: will there be a Frozen III? More to the point, should there be a Frozen III? The answer to the former question is: probably. The answer to the latter question is: maybe. Without going into spoilers, this latest film wrapped everything up in a neat, tidy bow, while leaving enough open for potential sequels. I’m not naïve; I know that the main reason we have a sequel to Frozen at all is because Disney saw an opportunity to make more money from this franchise. At the same time, however, this isn’t your typical sequel for the sake of sequel cash grab. This is a thoughtful continuation of what was there before, that may have echoes of the original film, but also stands on its own. So will we get a Frozen III? Probably. Will audiences enjoy it? Well, I dare not hope, but the Frozen franchise has a good track record thus far, so I’m optimistic.
If you didn’t like Frozen, its sequel won’t magically change your mind. But if you were a fan of the 2013 surprise hit, you’ll probably enjoy the 2019 follow-up. It’s beautifully animated, with compelling characters that you know and love from the original. Join Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven on a journey into the unknown. Frozen II is in theaters now.
The Sack Score: 8/10