Our two favorite musical sisters welcome us back into the enchanting kingdom of Arendale in Disneyβs Frozen 2.
Based on the initial trailers, I didnβt really know exactly what to expect from this much-awaited sequel. The trailers seemed a little βdarkerβ and a bit βdeeperβ than their predecessor. With Anna (Kristen Bell) asking things like, βHas Elsa seemed weird to you?β to Kristoff signaling to us that thereβs been another change in her behavior since her days of belting out βLet It Goβ. It appears that a βvoiceβ has been calling out to Elsa (Idina Menzel), but she doesnβt know who the voice is and where the voice might lead her. Instead of running away from the voice, she heads βInto The Unknownβ in order to find the answers she has been longing for.
But with any adventure, especially a family-friendly adventure, βthe buddy systemβ must have a place in the story. While Elsa sets out to do everything on her own again, Anna is quick to remind her that she (Anna) has literally survived just about everything when it comes to protecting her sister so itβs her right to tag along. On reestablishing the heart of the film, Producer, Peter Del Vecho told the audience at the Frozen 2 press junket last weekend (November 9th) at the W Hollywood, βThe first movie had a lot of action, had a lot of emotion and drama and I think we all thought it was very important to very quickly reestablish that and that this was a movie for everyone.βΒ
To our delight, with Anna comes Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Sven the reindeer, and our favorite singing snowman, Olaf (Josh Gad). If you loved Olaf in the first movie, your love for him will only grow. Speaking of growth, that is something that all of the characters experience in one form or another. I think the growth of the characters that you will see on-screen, will demonstrate why Frozen might be labeled βdarkerβ by some people as characters start to question the world around them. However, along with that, I think people will start to realize that just because the characters and overall story are tackling βdeeperβ questions such as, how can people in todayβs world learn from/make things right from the past? It doesnβt need to be labeled dark for a kid audience or be viewed as something kids donβt need to see. The reality is kids are very curious by nature and understand way more than adults give them credit for. In the long run, seeing movies like Frozen that explore deeper themes could actually be really beneficial for kids and adults.Β
Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff in Frozen II (2019). Β© 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Kristen Bell, a mother of two, explained one of the reasons why she loves the film at the junket. βOne of the things I love about this film so much is that it puts this sort of like very complex idea in front of kids in a totally simple way, which is hey, have you ever thought about the fact that maybe past generations didnβt behave that great? That they could have done it better and thatβs called learning from the past, thatβs called evolving.β
Additionally, Jennifer Lee, Writer/Director of Frozen 2 and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation said at the same junket, βThey (kids) always have a moment that gets a little scary and little moments. And thatβs part of what fairytales are for. Theyβre so that you as a child and as a person in your life can experience things and go βoh: and youβre safely in the seat. And then it helps you cope with life.β
Hadley Gannaway and Mattea Conforti as young Anna and Elsa in Frozen II (2019). Β© 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
If youβre not into diving into the themes of frozen or child psychology and are just wanting to check out the film for the music, then you wonβt be disappointed! βLet It Goβ walked so that βInto The Unknownβ could run. And if running is the analogy here, Idina Menzel is sure to receive a gold medal for her performance of this song. She is so modest about her abilities too.Β She told the audience, βI can just go in there and have fun. The only thing that I do, is I warm up a lot cause I know that they are going to push me to hit tops of my range.βΒ
To her point, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, one-half of the Frozen Songwriters team, the other half being her husband Robert Lopez, said to the press, βShe (Idina) has this warmth and this vulnerability down low and then as you bring her higher and higher, she gets stronger and stronger and more powerful, until she just reaches into your soul when sheβs singing these big giant songs and I really truly think that we are the lucky ones to get to write for her. I donβt know that βLet it Go or βInto the Unknownβ would be a hit without Idina honestly.β
Idina Menzel in Frozen II (2019). Β© 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Praise must also be given to Jonathan Groff who we get a lovely eighties inspired ballad from, Josh Gad whose songs will just make you happy, and newcomer to the cast, Evan Rachel Wood whose voice adds a motherly touch.
Frozen 2 hits theaters Friday, November 22nd! Be sure to check it out and until then let us know what you are most excited for in the comments.Β