Very minor spoilers for Frozen II ahead.
It’s no secret I like children’s movies and musicals and I really like most children’s movies that are musicals. The original Frozen doesn’t top my list — I lean more towards Moana if we’re talking recent princess movies — but I got as attached as anyone to “Let It Go” when it premiered while I was in college and the track is still on my running playlist.
I had very flat expectations going into the sequel last night (but I went on the opening night anyway because I am me) and got to experience the film blindly. I didn’t know the plot or the music and I was pleasantly surprised by both.
There’s a lot to unpack in the plot of Frozen II and I won’t do it here — about reparations and POC representation and how the door is blessedly still open for Elsa to be our queer ice queen (I see you, Honeymaren) — but I will say, though far from perfect, I think we’re moving in the right direction. I was gratified to hear Disney signed a contract and heavily consulted with the people from the indigenous culture represented in the film.
But y’all I thought the music was pretty on point. Sure there’s another Olaf ballad, but honestly, most of the songs were winners to me, including the tongue-in-cheek boy band anthem given to Kristoff. Elsa has two powerful solo numbers that show off Idina Menzel’s chops again and resonate with the same emotional punch of “Let It Go”.
Then Anna has her own song towards the end of the film that took me apart. “The Next Right Thing” is a heartbreaking solo about moving through grief and darkness.
In the opening lyrics include “The life I knew is over / The lights are out / Hello, darkness /I’m ready to succumb” to the bridge of “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 is one that I can make.”
It’s one of the most realistic portrayals I’ve heard about what it looks like to carry on after any kind of loss or hopelessness. It reminded me of working through depression and healing after my divorce. So, yeah, I cried a lot.
All to say, I think I’m recommending you go see Frozen II. Disney movies like this aren’t for everyone, but I’m glad they’re for me.
With Love,
Natalie