What to Watch: Frozen 2

by Chelsea House, GGR Contributor

WARNING!!! This review will contain some spoilers!

I went into the theaters just as excited as my three year old daughter to see this movie. Because of the relentless amounts of requests from said daughter to rewatch the first one, I know every word to every song, and have grown to feel like I know these characters of Arendelle. So when Frozen 2 was announced I was relieved for some fresh musical content. However, I was skeptical about the quality of the film. It’s not often that the sequels are just as good if not better than the first. I will say that I have seen this movie twice now, and each time it managed to show me something new, not to mention my daughter asking for “twirl” breaks during songs added a level of extra cute. 

First off, this movie isn’t just for kids. Yes it’s Disney, but just like Toy Story 4, adults can get a lot out of what the movie has to offer. Second off, this movie will have more of an impact if you have seen the first one. (And you don’t have to watch it the hundreds of times I’ve had to.) Third off, I’m going to try to not spoil the movie, but it’ll be really hard to write this review without doing so, so look away if you want to be gloriously surprised. Here are the take aways I had from this film. (I would also include the thoughts of my two children, however, they are refusing to indulge me because well… Thanksgiving parades and what not.)

1. “If you don’t want me to chase you into fire, then don’t run into fire!” - Anna.

There is so much in this statement. We all have that person that we would follow literally anywhere. We would do anything for them. This statement is so double edged because on one hand you’re saying “don’t you know by now I’d follow you anywhere?” referring to the loyalty you have for that particular person. On the other hand, you’re also saying “Don’t you know by now I’d follow you anywhere?” referring to the fact that your actions always effect others around you, so you have to be mindful of those impacts. You can see Elsa’s face processing that pearl of wisdom and Anna’s double meaning comes straight through with the determination of her face and grit of her teeth. She also reiterates this throughout the movie by warning Elsa that she’s not thinking through her actions. This is such a good lesson in life. Our actions ALWAYS have consequences, and a lot of times we forget that. Elsa is reminded of this towards the end when she almost loses her life… again. 

2: “Into the Unknown” 

This whole song is the struggle of that tiny voice in your head. We all have it. That voice that pulls us into directions that could be dangerous, scary, or something amazing. “I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you.” What a line. The lyrics are brilliantly written to walk you through the thought dialogue of a woman who is bound by duty, family, and the role that she never wanted while she struggles with the idea of sacrifice to explore what her heart really yearns for, which is one that I feel rings true to many people’s hearts. “Who am I? What am I? Why am I here?” She knows she doesn’t belong where she is, but why? The sacrifice that comes with these questions is rarely easy, and Elsa doesn’t want to know what those sacrifices would be. She states in the beginning of the movie that she doesn’t want anything to change, but as our now philosophical Olaf likes to discuss, nothing can stay the same. This song sets the movie up to show you that yes, these questions are scary, and yes they require sacrifice if you really want to know the truth, but you CAN discover these truths, and you don’t have to do it alone. 

3: Olaf

Oh our beautiful, optimistic, giggly Olaf. He still possesses these qualities in this film, however, he has learned to read and therefore has become a little wiser. “growing up means adapting…” Olaf gives a perfect look into what it must be like to be in the mind of a child as they deal with the complications of getting older. “This will all make sense when I am older….” , “Cause when you’re older, absolutely everything makes sense.” Oh Olaf… sweet, innocent, sparkly eyed Olaf. I remember thinking the same thing when I was younger, though. This is such a great reminder of the power adults have over the growing minds of the children they influence. Olaf goes through a moment where he is angry for the first time and doesn’t understand what to do with it. Anna pauses for the briefest of moments before she begins to coach him through what to do with those feelings. It reminded me of the many times my children have told me something and I have only the smallest moments to make sure that what I say is true, loving, and directional. The true take away from Olaf is that life has a way of changing us, growing us, and making us question things that seemed so absolute not too long ago, and that we have a choice to guide those younger than us and seek wisdom from those older than us. 

4: The Next Right Thing

I’m not going to lie. There were two songs in this movie that got me. This was one. Disney has never gone this raw before with a character and it was absolutely stunning. “This grief has a gravity it pulls me down. But a tiny voice whispers in my mind… you must go on and do the next right thing.” Sings Anna as she’s huddled on the floor of a dark cave gripping her bag for some type of comfort. Pabbie, the leader of the trolls, says in the beginning, “When you don’t see the future just do the next right thing.” Anna is dealing with the realization that they have failed at their mission and it came at a huge cost. One that felt like the weight of the world was pushing her down. “have to rise from the floor, but it’s not you I’m rising for. Have to do the next right thing.” She has to learn to deal with and move through the grief she feels. She has to learn that the emptiness may never go away, but she still has to keep moving on regardless of the pain inside her. “I won’t look too far ahead, it’s too much for me to take. But break it down to this next breath, this next step, this next choice…” It’s a beautiful way to show that there IS life after loss, and you can pace yourself on what that life looks like. She goes on to save everyone. It’s a “don’t give up” song. A song to show that you still have so much to offer even through your pain. Such an important message for kids and adults alike. 

5: Show Yourself *Big Spoiler*

This was the other song that got me. Like really got me. “I can sense you there, like a friend I’ve always known. I’m arriving and it feels like I am home.” Elsa sings as she approaches the answers of her very existence. The answers of why she’s different, why she’s had to endure the hardships of what she’s been through. “Is this the day, is this the way I finally find out why?” Other than the beautiful melody and rhythms of this song that emphasis exactly what it wants you to really get out of it, this scene showing Elsa finally stepping into her place as the 5th elements is such a heart warming, encouraging, and emotionally gripping moment we can all relate to. It’s the same as her looking in the mirror and for the first time appreciating what she sees instead of picking herself apart. The fact that the call she’s heard the whole movie was her mother guiding her to where she’s belonged all along is so necessary. It’s Elsa’s way of knowing that she is really accepted as this. The approval she cares most about, her mother, is given to her, and it’s the last push she needs to accept her calling over her life. “You are the one you have been waiting for all of your life” We all have heroes, people we look up to and wish we could be like, fictional or non. This moment shows the fact that there was only one you made, and the world needs YOU, not another copy or repeat of someone else, it needs YOU, so embrace what that means, and show yourself. 

6: “My Love Isn’t Fragile” - Kristoff

Another character that has an important piece to offer is Kristoff. When Anna apologizes to him for leaving without explanation, without hesitation he looks at her and says “my love isn’t fragile.” Now I know this isn’t super popular these days, but I’m all about a Disney romance story. No, a princess doesn’t need a prince to save her or be what she’s supposed to be, BUT there’s nothing like feeling the love and acceptance of someone who is willing to go through life with you. Our rugged, smelly, lovable Kristoff offers this promise with his comment. “my love isn’t fragile.” Like… be still my heart. Kristoff in this movie goes through a change in his own. He learns through a rather hilarious 80’s music video that he needs to drop his guard and allow for his heart to be vulnerable to those he loves. His song, “Lost In the Woods”, is every teenage boy standing in their messy rooms, easing their love wounds through a power ballad. I mean let’s be honest… there’s a place in everyone’s life for a little Chicago. 

I could go on for a long time about all of the other things to learn from Frozen 2. There’s so much. This movie is all about self development and discovery. It’s about the challenge of change and growth. The challenge of wanting to feel like you have a purpose, and then the challenge of fulfilling that purpose. It’s a beautiful tapestry of the pains of growing. My husband and I asked our children what they got from the movie afterwards and had some really great conversations. I encourage everyone to go see this brilliant piece and use it as a discussion tool afterwards. You’ll be surprised at what friends, loved ones, or your kids will say!