Many movies have been so popular that they were followed by
a second feature involving the same characters. In the distant past this didn’t
happen that often but in recent years it’s become a given. Not only that the
stories have changed from individual films to franchises. Some work, others
don’t. Most second films have become victim to what’s called the sophomore
slump, a sequel that doesn’t come close to the original. FROZEN II arrives on
disc this week. Where does it fall?
We learn the story of long ago as Elsa and Anna are children
in bed. Their father tells them of the day King Runeard and a group from
Arendelle went to meet representatives of the Northuldra tribe. They had just
built a damn that was supposed to help them and were celebrating. But the
celebration turned sour as a battle broke out between the two groups. The
elements and magical sprites took issue with this and entrapped the two groups
in the forest, surrounded by a mist that no one could penetrate. Only two
people escaped, their father and his rescuer.
Years later Elsa begins hearing a mysterious voice, calling
her to the mist enshrouded forest. No one else hears it and she shares the
information with no one. But it continues to call to her. She eventually
follows it and awakens the elemental spirits of earth, fire, wind and water. In
doing so she puts Arendelle in danger and rescues the people by rushing them to
safety out of town.
To save her people and land Elsa decides she must journey to
the enchanted land sung of in old nursery rhymes, one that her mother sang to
her and Anna. Anna refuses to let her go alone and along with Kristoff the ice
harvester, Sven his reindeer and Olaf the snowman they head for the mist
covered forest.
Unsure of how to proceed since no one has entered or left
this area in all these years, the move cautiously. Because of the magic that
flows through Elsa, they are able to pass and enter the area swept in by the
element of wind. What they discover is those who were trapped here long ago, still
untrusting of one another and having no concept of the outside world any more.
There remains a mystery to be solved though. Before the
elements can be harmonious once again this mystery has to be settled. The past
must come up once more and the truth must be told. The only person who can make
this happen, who has the power to do so, is Elsa. The journey to make it happen
will be treacherous and hers alone to make.
Like the original film this movie is filled with amazing
animation and plenty of music like we’ve come to expect from Disney films. The
good news/bad news especially for parents is that there doesn’t seem to be a
particular song like “Let It Go” from the first film for your children to latch
on to and sing non-stop. Good news for that reason but bad news because the
music here while good doesn’t feel as fresh. In fact at times it feels more
like the composer/lyricist were attempting to create a Broadway musical instead
of a film. Almost all songs end with crescendos and become overpowering.
Don’t get me wrong though. That doesn’t harm the film in any
way. It’s still quite enjoyable and has more story than one would expect in a
sequel. The depth of that story is wonderful as well. Adults will understand it
quite well and children will get the biggest parts of it. Heroines will be
placed in danger and have to rise to the occasion. Solutions to the questions
posed will be answered.
Among all of this are the expected humorous moments as well.
As would be expected many of those come at the expense of Olaf. But there is
Kristoff as well who wants to propose to Anna but can’t seem to find not just
the right words but the right moment as well.
So does the film hit the sophomore slump? Not quite but it
barely rises out of that category. It’s a lot of fun for the family to enjoy.
As a fan of animation I still marvel at what they can accomplish. There are
numerous visual feasts to enjoy here. It might not be FROZEN but it’s still
worth watching and enjoying. So pop some corn, turn out the lights and get the
family together. It’s movie night!
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