The much-awaited sequel to the hit Disney movie “Frozen” was just released this November 20, thawing our cold hearts just in time for Christmas!
“Frozen 2” takes place three years after the first film, with Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), Olaf (Josh Gad), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), and Sven setting out to discover the mysterious voice calling out to Elsa. Their journey leads them to their discovery of elemental spirits, Arendelle’s dark history, and the wonders of the Enchanted Forest — a forest ruled by the magical spirits of nature.
What sets Frozen’s portrayal from most Disney princess movies is that it shows the younger audience that having a romantic partner isn’t something you should need or something that should define you.
The second film is greatly similar yet very different from its predecessor. For instance, the immense value and importance of familial love are still stressed in this sequel, with more of Anna and Elsa’s family background being introduced. As with the first film, the focus is still very much set on the two royal sisters working together to discover more about themselves and how much they need each other. While Elsa endeavors to find out more about their parents’ death and the origins of her power, we see Anna tirelessly supporting her sister through every obstacle. At the same time, Frozen 2 also illustrates how there are some things that you need to do alone, but that doesn’t mean that the people you love have abandoned you. When Elsa sets off to cross the Dark Sea and Anna faces the Earth Giants, the two sisters may be physically apart and struggling with their own problems but knowing that they are there for each other is what helps them fight. The film is also an advocate for female empowerment as we see Queen Elsa become the protector of the Enchanted Forest, alongside the female tribe leader Yelena (Martha Plimpton), while Anna takes her place as the new Queen of Arendelle!
Nonetheless, the presence of romantic love is not amiss in this film as we see Kristoff and Anna’s love blossom as well as that of Anna and Elsa’s parents in brief flashbacks. What sets Frozen’s portrayal from most Disney princess movies is that it shows the younger audience that having a romantic partner isn’t something you should need or something that should define you. While Anna is busy saving both the Kingdom of Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest from eternal doom with the help of her sister, Kristoff never tried to get in her way or resented her for choosing her mission over him. In fact, when Anna apologizes for leaving Kristoff, he gently reminds her that “It’s okay. My love is not fragile,” emphasizing to us all what true love should be: unwavering and faithful.
A great difference between the first and second films is the inclusion of more political views. “Frozen 2” takes on concepts of colonialism when they reveal that the former King Runeard — grandfather of Elsa and Anna — horribly took advantage of the indigenous tribe occupying a nearby land. This representation of indigenous tribes and colonizers has been long overdue, as this was last seen in the 1995 Disney film “Pocahontas”. To balance all this heavy stuff out (as this is still a Disney movie), we have Olaf to thank for all his jokes! And of course, there is an impressive addition to Frozen’s soundtrack such as “Into the Unknown” and “Show Yourself”. My personal favorite, however, would have to be Kristoff’s power ballad solo (finally!) “Lost in the Woods”. Aside from how the song is reminiscent of 80’s ballad tracks, the message of the song is something worth remembering. In most Disney princess movies, it is the female who sings that song, you know the song that defines the movie for years to come (Snow White’s “Someday My Prince Will Come” or Tangled’s “When Will My Life Begin?”). In “Frozen 2”, it’s big and burly Kristoff who sings out his feelings of sadness and confusion and I think it’s a great encouragement to young boys that it’s not wrong to show how you feel! (or sing how you feel in this case).
Overall, “Frozen 2” is definitely something worth watching, which is probably why it’s breaking records left and right! Grab your tickets before it leaves the cinema–don’t watch pirated movies, kids.
Review by Regina L. (Grade 12); Feature image by Karen Y. (Grade 9)
Reviews are uncommissioned, unpaid, and represent the personal views of the author. They should not be taken to represent the views of Dragon’s Print and Cebu International School.
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