Frozen II

I have a slight confession to make: 

I truly believe I overrated the original Frozen several years back. 

I got caught up in the mania, in the storm of Elsa's, a new Disney classic, and "Let it GOOOO, Let it GOOO!"

I still really enjoy it and, if there's a single Disney film that has stood the test of a few years, it's that one. Clearly it will age well and will be a Disney "classic" by the standards of it'll be rewatched over and over again by children and remembered fondly when they're in their 20s and 30s. Just like many of us are now enjoying the release of Disney+, Frozen - as I'm sure many mothers can attest to - has and will be watched hundreds of times around the world. 

So a sequel was all but natural. When your first animated feature becomes a pop culture phenomenon and makes $1+ billion, of course you make a follow-up. Then the question becomes: do you make a cash-grab or do you make something worthwhile? 

I generally find that, for as much as people are hailing Disney as our new "overlords" these days, they still put out quality content. In moments where they could completely phone it in, we're still getting high quality output. The MCU, under their umbrella, is a perfect example of this. They know that when quality starts to dip, they lose their competitive edge. By keeping films entertaining, worthwhile, and impressive they continue to put audience's butts in seats time and time again. 

This slight tangent is a really long way of saying: of course Frozen II is "good". Disney wouldn't want a sequel to one of its biggest films to have negative press or squash any plans of a potential Frozen III. Is it as good as the first film? I personally don't think so for a variety of reasons, but I'm sure some of my cheering audience thought so. Perhaps they liked it more. Point being, Frozen II is a safe bet and it's not a disappointing sequel, but it's also not going to blow you away in the manner that the best sequels often do. 

Animation has come so far...

"If you don't behave, I'll
beat you with your own arm."

For starters, I thought the songs in Frozen II kind of stunk. The original film is a hard act to follow in that department, but here they're not nearly as catchy except for a handful and even the ones I liked were more because of the accompanying images/animation than the song itself. So-so/okay songs is a conundrum for a film that won't stop singing and it makes my issue with these Disney musicals (do they always have to be singing?!?) more glaring than when the songs are good enough where I don't care. Given music is quite subjective, perhaps I'm alone on this island, but to me they lacked the pizzazz of previous Disney song-based animated movies (Moana comes quickly to mind). 

The nerd in me, intrigued by the lore and mystery presented in the film, also felt like it came a bit out of left field. I understand they only have 90ish minutes to put a tidy bow on these movies for the sake of the children, but much of the film is shrouded in mystery and background that, while tied to the first film, asks you to just "go with it" on a handful of occasions, explaining some of the answers through heavy/awkward exposition dialogue. It's here I feel really picky because that's not the point of these films, but when you're teasing a dark, big sequel and you start to build upon your lore in meaningful ways, it makes people like myself intrigued and wishing you did it slightly better. 

Otherwise though? Frozen II is a frosty delight. As I always say: animated movies live or die on their characters and we've got a great cast here. Elsa and Anna (Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell, respectively) get a lot more sisterly time, which is enjoyable, and comic-relief Olaf (Josh Gad) has some very funny bits - like a quick retelling of the first film - while also being sweet and lovable. Others, like Kristoff and Sven (and a handful of some new ones) are fun too and the group as a whole has good chemistry while also being able to provide some solid laughs. 

Truly though - and I feel like I say this every animated film anymore - the animation in Frozen II is what stands out. The sheer amount of detail and realism that is accomplished in certain scenes astounds and the "special effects" of various fire, water, wind, etc elements, including Elsa's ice powers, are consistently jaw dropping. The level of technical detail in all of it is impressive and from the days of The Lion King to the first Toy Story throughout a couple decades have truly pushed this medium forward. 

"We must prepare for Thanos. He is coming."
Real quote from film, I swear

So will you like Frozen II? Yes. I can't imagine someone seeing the first, enjoying it, and coming out of the second feeling like it was trash. It's a sequel that builds upon the original, but also lacks some of the things that made the first stand out SO much, and I wouldn't say there's a value-added element here that makes this one more special (think Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight for a very different, but relevant example).

CONS

• The songs are "fine" but not all that memorable or catchy. Perhaps parents will be excited to hear that so they don't have to listen to "Let it Go" 5.3 million more times...
• Also just too many songs in general
• The lore is interesting, but rushed and kind of out of left field, until it isn't
• Lacks a "new" element to add value or tell you why you have to see this

PROS

• Full cast of characters returns and gets to spend a lot more time together, making for some worthwhile chemistry and bonding
• Fun adventure that effectively and mysteriously builds upon various aspects of the first film
• Some of the songs are good and some are better because of the animation they're paired with
• Handful of hearty laughs throughout
• Outstanding, detailed, and colorful animation that will wow you
• Enjoyable, short-and-sweet, funny, and beautiful to look at. Fans of the first will enjoy this one too

Rath's Review Score | 7.5/10