Parents beware: if you really thought you could “Let it go” of the first movie Frozen, the sequel arrives six years after its internationally acclaimed elder. Released and produced by the same duo composed of Jennifer Lee and Christopher Buck, is the movie able to equalize or even surpass one of the biggest successes in animation’s history?

Set three years after the events of the first film, the story follows Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, who embark on a journey beyond their kingdom of Arendelle to discover the origin of Elsa’s magical powers and save their kingdom.

Disney strikes again with an incredible animation and magnificent visual effects, the studio decides to evolve its universe by taking the risk to get away from the audience’s expectations. Magic is present; we cannot deny it, though with a slightly darker atmosphere and a more mature tone. If the “Ice Queen” discovered herself in the first movie, she now has to find her place and accept her role, no matter the cost.

Regardless of the task’s difficulty, the scenario manages to provide satisfying answers to the mysterious origins of Elsa’s powers, turning its previous tale into an epic quest. Moreover, the movie pays a stirring tribute to nature and the necessary balance we should seek to reach in these troubled times.

Nevertheless, the beginning of the movie is quite annoying and muddled: we don’t see the path clearly until some revelations which intervene only in the second part of the story. The plot is also quite complicated to understand for children and left to the adults’ interpretation; a pity when we know the Frozen’s success is mainly due to children. Furthermore, the focus on the relation between the two sisters, even though it remained, is at the cost of the Kristoff’s character that is totally useless. Concerning the infamous snowman, Olaf, he is less unbearable compared to the first movie but tends to be too humoristic which is tiresome.

Unfortunately (or not, depending on your interest for Disney’s musical creations), none of the songs succeed to be as memorable as “Let it go” but two songs are especially excellent with a profound message about our self-identity’s discovery and the acceptance of our inner desires.

In conclusion, even though Frozen 2 is less flamboyant overall than its elder, it possesses a deeper message with some great sensitive and bewitching parts. If Frozen was an incandescent flame, Frozen 2 is the necessary lantern to channel it. The circle is complete; the story obtained its final form and a beautiful conclusion.

Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Writers: Jennifer Lee (screenplay by), Jennifer Lee (story by) | 4 more credits »
Stars: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad

Aurélien Petit
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