Frozen 2 takes a darker path but will still melt little hearts
Here it is, the follow-up most parents have been secretly dreading and the massive Frozen fanbase has been patiently anticipating. While it doubles down on the goofy antics and catchy songs, be prepared for a much darker story.
Leigh Paatsch
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Back in 2013, the general consensus about the animated musical Frozen among those supposedly “in the know” was that it was a nice enough ‘toon that would soon be forgotten.
Every little girl in the world not only knew better. They also knew a precious touchstone of their childhood had appeared before them.
And with an irresistible array of earworms – no, make that ear-pythons – wriggling all over the soundtrack, there was no chance Frozen would ever be forgotten.
Of course, a global box-office nudging two billion bucks meant Disney would not dare let it go when it came to a sequel.
So here it is, the follow-up most parents have been secretly dreading, and the massive Frozen fanbase has been openly wishing for.
Frozen 2 is a fair effort as far as these kind of things go, doubling down on both the gleefully goofy antics and asides of Olaf (Josh Gad) and a fleet of fresh catchy compositions.
Sticking true to expected form, Olaf gets all of the best lines and – with a rapid-fire re-cap of the last movie for those who somehow missed it – the best scene too.
As for the new songs, well, only time will tell whether the kids will be hitting repeat on them all in the years to come.
At this very juncture, the mega-anthem Into the Unknown looks a lock for a Best Song Oscar nomination, the moving ballad The Next Right Thing could well follow suit, and good old Olaf gets a ripping signature tune to call his own with the sprightly When I Am Older.
The plotting of Frozen 2 is arguably too busy (and a mite too dark) for its own good, with a lot of chatter about death, mortality, tribal prejudices, and even alternate dimensions piled on for no discernible, franchise-expanding reason.
Nevertheless, sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) still vividly embody the right kind of values and vitality that won everybody over the first time around.
With Anna relatively sidelined on the storytelling front by boyfriend Kristoff’s bumbling attempts to pop the big question, it is left to the ever-interesting Elsa to carry the bulk of the movie’s dramatic load.
Her journey, both as a leader of her people and a responsible purveyor of magic powers, is what will truly resonate with younger viewers sure to be watching intently over and over again in the weeks, months and years ahead.
FROZEN 2 (PG)
Director: Jennifer Lee (Frozen)
Starring: the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff.
Rating: ***
They came, they thawed, and now they’re back to reconquer
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