Beginning November 22, 2019, Arendelle’s favorite sisters, Queen Elsa and Anna, are back on the big screen, thanks to the release of the highly anticipated sequel Frozen 2! Is it too dark for kids? Do you have to see the first Frozen movie in order to understand Frozen 2? I had the opportunity to attend the World Premiere in Hollywood and I’m here to answer those questions and more. Keep reading for a parent’s movie review for Frozen 2!
Frozen 2: A Parent’s Movie Review
It’s been approximately 6 years since the original Frozen movie was released in theaters, quickly becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time. Its signature song, “Let It Go,” became an anthem sung by children and adults from all over the world. A comparison between the original movie and its sequel is inevitable, although Frozen 2 is primarily an origin story and explores the origin of Elsa’s powers.
Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Sven (Frank Welker) are back, but this time they are joined by new characters like Lt. Matthias (Sterling K. Brown) and Yelana (Martha Plimpton). The movie begins with Elsa and Anna as young children, listening to their father tell them a bedtime story. But is there more to the story than they realize? Now adults, Elsa sets off on a journey and not only confronts the past, but also journeys into the unknown. And Anna, always worried about Elsa, follows suit. Whereas “Let It Go” becomes the signature song in the original movie, “Into the Unknown” will likely follow suit in the sequel. Both songs are written by husband and wife team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and I can’t wait until I can download the soundtrack!
Is Frozen 2 too dark for kids?
I had to really think about this, because after I viewed the trailer, I thought perhaps Frozen 2 would be too dark for younger children. However, now that I’ve seen the film in its entirety, my short answer is no, although there are moments in the film that are serious in nature. For example, throughout the film, Olaf keeps wondering about the meaning of life. This is a heavy subject matter that even adults grapple with, so I think this will either go over the heads of younger kids or cause them to think about what that means to them. The film is rated PG so parental guidance is suggested. There are funny moments in the film, though, to lighten up the mood, especially two particular scenes: one scene involves Olaf providing a hysterical recap of Frozen 1 and the second scene involving Kristoff singing a love ballad that would certainly make older generations (like myself) feel like they are reliving the 80s!
FROZEN 2 – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Do you need to see Frozen 1 to understand Frozen 2?
Don’t be deterred from seeing Frozen 2 if you or your children haven’t yet seen Frozen 1. While I think you are missing out on a great movie with Frozen 1, the storyline in Frozen 2 is such that you will still be able to understand it. And as I mentioned above, Olaf provides a great recap of events. I would even go so far as to say it’s one of my favorite moments in Frozen 2.
Overall Thoughts
It’s hard to top the original film but it gives it a great try. One of the things I loved about the first Frozen movie is that it’s not a typical love story. At its core, it’s about the relationship between sisters, unconditional love and the bonds we form with others, as unconventional as they may seem. It’s also about overcoming your fears, especially the fear of rejection. Frozen 2 explores these relationships even further. Whereas the first movie was about unconditional love (as Olaf says “some people are worth melting for”), the sequel is about doing what’s right for you, and not necessarily what’s expected of you. It’s not fear of rejection that’s driving Elsa forward this time, but rather a desire to learn the truth about herself and her powers. However, I did not feel like the plot of Frozen 2 was as cohesive as the plot in Frozen 1. While the 80s love ballad sung by Kristoff is one of the best scenes in the movie, it’s also very random. Overall, though, the movie has a great message and it’s also entertaining. My 7 year old son has grown up with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven and I know this is a movie that I wouldn’t hesitate to take him to see.
In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) venture far from Arendelle in a dangerous but remarkable journey to help Elsa find answers about the past. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. ©2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
About Frozen 2
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she’ll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough. From the Academy Award®- winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.
Can’t wait to see the movie. Good article.
I hope my sons want to see Frozen 2, because I do! (Oh, and I still occasionally listen to the Frozen soundtrack, even when my kids aren’t around.)