Review: Frozen II

Frozen II is a captivating sequel that travels deeper and darker into its animated roots.

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With vibrant songs and splendid visuals, this Disney sequel is another great adventure for the whole family. Frozen II recaptures another showstopper just like its predecessor did (2013's Frozen). 2013's Frozen was a worldwide phenomenon and it looks like this more mature and ambitious sequel will be as well. This time, Disney Animation Studios takes you on a dazzling adventure 'Into The Unknown'. The charm and catchy songs are all still there — your kids and wife won't stop humming them for the weeks that follow...

"...Into the unknown
Into the unknown
Into the unknown
(Oh)
I can hear you but I won't
Some look for trouble while others don't
There's a thousand reasons I should go about my day
And ignore your whispers which I wish would go away, oh
Whoa..."

...Hmm, sorry I got carried away there. Moving along, Frozen II takes our friends Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel), Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff), Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), and Sven on a journey to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. Here, the group sets out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom, Arendelle. Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is that I won't tell you, you'll have to watch for yourself. We are also introduced to new characters, like Lieutenant Destin Mattias (voiced by Sterling K. Brown). Directors  Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck (2013's Frozen) return to the director's chair enchanting a darker story filled with humor and top-notched songs. Songs like All Is Found, Some Things Never Change, Into the Unknown, When I Am Older, Lost in the Woods, Show Yourself, and The Next Right Thing.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez returned from the first film to write new songs for the sequel, while Christophe Beck returned to compose the film's score. Lots of transformation happens to our characters in Frozen II, giving us some much-needed character development to propel the story forward. Frozen II has grossed $1.405 billion worldwide, had the highest all-time worldwide opening for an animated film, and is the second-highest-grossing animated film of all time and the third highest-grossing film of 2019, as well as the 11th highest-grossing film of all time. Frozen II is a worthy sequel full of beautiful animation, fun-filled characters, and a chorus line that will knock you off your seat. I enjoyed it.

Frozen II is rated PG (Parental Guidance). For action/peril and some thematic elements.

Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck.

Starring Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K. Brown, and Evan Rachel Wood as Queen Iduna (Anna and Elsa's mother).