Frozen 2 (movie review)

Frozen was the movie I took my 4-year-old son on his birthday back in 2013. It was also his first cinema visit and our favorite family animation since then.

Frozen 2

By coincidence, we planned another cinema visit on his 10th birthday a couple of weeks ago and found out it was the day Frozen 2 was released. To my disappointment and despite my persuasions, my son thought he was too old to watch Frozen 2 and preferred to watch Maleficent with his cousins. 

First Cinema Visit (Frozen )

However, I couldn't miss the chance to watch Frozen 2 so my husband and I left the kids at the Maleficent cinema hall and headed to watch Frozen 2.

I must confess I just couldn't help comparing the sequel to its 2013 blockbuster throughout the film which was not a good idea.
The original songs were better, weren't they? 
Too many new things, new stories. Too deep and hard for kids to understand. It's more an adult animated movie.
These were the thoughts circulating in my head.

Frozen 2 (movie review)

Like the original, Frozen 2 opens with a prologue from Anna and Elsa's childhood, where they learn from their father about an enchanted forest inhabited by magical spirits and people called Northuldra.

Then, we turn to the happy kingdom of Arendale ruled by the ice-wielding Queen Elsa and her sister Princess Anna. They live happily together with the chatty snowman Olaf, woodsman Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven. 

It all starts when Elsa hears a singing voice calling her to the mysterious enchanted forest, a land her father told her and Anna about as a bedtime tale. And she determines to investigate the voice and find the truth, to better understand the source of her magical freezing powers and to save Arendelle as the forest spirits attack the town and the people are forced to flee to the countryside.

Anna is determined to follow her sister. Her beau Kristoff, his hulking reindeer, and the funny snowman Olaf (who is now gifted with permafrost against heat and melting) volunteer as well.

Frozen 2, Anna and Elsa

Four elemental “spirits” are at work here—those of earth, air, fire and water. Each has its own symbolic stone totem in the enchanted forest and each spirit comes with its own physical embodiment, too.

Fire comes as a cute gecko-like creature, Bruno, water as a horse; the earth as a giant, rocklike critters; and air as a tornado-like swirling wind that characters start calling “Gale.” 

We later learn of a fifth element, which is Elsa herself, who is somehow the magical key in uniting these 4 spirits in a kind of harmony.

While there's lots of humor, again thanks to Olaf,  and catchy musical tunes, the sequel is undeniably a bit more intense and deeper than the original.

The visuals are dazzling, the animation is richer,  undoubtedly surpassing the original as well.

Just for the sole reason that this is one of the few animations focusing on sisterhood and girl empowerment with Elsa and Anna being examples of strong women who lead confidently and support each other, Frozen will stay my most favorite animated movie so far.

What about you?

Have you seen Frozen and Frozen 2?

What are your thoughts?