After years since returning Arendelle to its former, non-icy glory, Anna and Elsa came back with some new adventures in Disney’s ‘Frozen II’. This time, it’s with bigger plot points than Elsa learning to conceal her gifts or embrace them. There were a few additions to the story that made it seem a little darker than the first film, but ‘Frozen II’ still gave its best performance with top-notch voice acting, messages about family and true love, powerful musical numbers, and of course, occasional scene-stealing by Olaf, the Snowman.
In ‘Frozen II’, past mistakes come to light as elemental spirits begin ravaging the kingdom of Arendelle. In order to save their kingdom, Anna and Elsa, voiced by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, travel with Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, and Sven the Reindeer, to figure out what is angering the elemental spirits of water, fire, earth, and air. Along the way, Anna and Elsa also try to uncover the mysterious circumstances behind their parents’, voiced by Alfred Molina and Evan Rachel Wood, deaths.
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| Even before she died, Queen Iduna, voiced by Evan Rachel Wood, would keep her children close and loved. Photo courtesy of Disney.
One of the great things about ‘Frozen II’ was the theme of defying traditions. The trouble from the elemental spirits came from the girls’ grandfather, King Runeard, voiced by Jeremy Sisto, and his hostility towards magic. But in the nick of time, Anna and Elsa were able to break that tradition and use the magic of the elements and their undying love for each other to save their kingdom and loved ones, while also putting their parents at peace.
Next, there was nonstop humor for Olaf and Kristoff. Olaf was up to his carrot nose in crazy antics trying to explain the backstory for Mattias and Yelena, voiced by Sterling K. Brown and Martha Plimpton, two leaders of opposing groups of soldiers in conflict over the elemental spirits. Olaf had a knack for breaking into songs, dressing funny for the kids, interacting with the weird weather conditions, and trying to teach Anna and Elsa about embracing change and sticking together.
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| Princess Anna and Olaf the Snowman are happy with each other. Photo courtesy of Disney.
On the other hand, Kristoff had his moments when trying to become more romantic with Anna. There were awkward moments when he tried to pick the right words to say, while she was focused on the mission to save Arendelle. When he was left alone with Sven in the ‘Lost in the Woods scene’, it was like hearing Chicago when he tried to perform some kind of heartbreak ballad, which was actually quite impressive.
The animators did a great job with the Enchanted Forest and the Ahtohallan. They looked beautiful through depicting a lush autumn or shiny ice-covered environment.
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| Olaf, Kristoff, Anna, and Elsa looking out at the Enchanted Forest and into the unknown. Photo courtesy of Disney. |
As for the rest of the film’s soundtrack, Menzel, Bell, and the rest of the cast did well. Menzel and Aurora’s work on ‘Into the Unknown’ was about encouraging people to go into unimaginable adventure, to look deep into their passions and make a new, more exciting world for themselves. ‘Into the Unknown” was told in a more upbeat manner when Panic! At the Disco sang it in the end credits.
Weezer’s version of ‘Lost in the Woods’ sounded like Chicago similar to the way Groff sang it, just with more rock instruments to add to the melancholy theme. Lastly, when all hope seemed to be lost, Kristen Bell as Anna struck back in ‘The Next Right Thing’, which taught her that even if Elsa gets in trouble with her magic while going off on her own, she can have the courage to overcome evil mystical power and save her friends and family.
In conclusion, ‘Frozen II’ warmed my heart with multiplicity of humor, empowering musical numbers, and messages about family and true love. The voice cast and production crew of ‘Frozen II’ can show you that harsh traditions can be broken by the magic that lies in your hearts and the people you love the most. If you saw the first ‘Frozen’ film and want to see the group use literal and metaphorical magic to make a better place, go watch ‘Frozen II’!