Frozen II review
Frozen II
The sequel the original 2012 Frozen, and also based on The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. The movie starts, showing the status quo in Arendelle following the events of the previous movie. Anna and Kristoff have hit it off, and Elsa has settled into a routine. However, as would be a theme through the film, things are not as they seem. A flashback to a bedtime story by their parents about an enchanted forest, sets the scene. What they know, is only the surface of what actually happened.
Setting the scene, Elsa hears a strange call. Ooo-ooooooh ooo-oooh. But she resists it. She doesn't want to go into the unknown. But it has her distracted, and fearful that she'd make some mistake. But, again things are not as they seem. Meanwhile, Anna is concerned about her sister, that she seems distracted during a family game night. Then there is Kristoff, who wants to propose to Anna, but something keeps happening to stop it. (Another plot line that runs through the film.) Then something happens...
The Kingdom is not safe! Elsa tries to take a stand against the strange call, but something strange happens to Arendelle. The gas lamps go out, the fountains stop and a strange wind blows through the city, prompting an evacuation. The situation in Arendelle as this occurs was depicted very well. Cheif Pebble explains that the past is not what it seems and that Elsa needs to go to find out what it actually was, or Arendelle would have no future. Then Anna says that she would not let Elsa go alone.
Hence they travel to the location of the Standing Stones at the entrance of the Enchanted Forest. Anna being concerned about Elsa. Olaf asking existential questions. Kristoff still trying to 'pop the question'. In all this is a very well conceived sequence, especially as they arrive at the forest, and discover that their father survived an attack. The revelation that their mother was Northuldra was done rather well too. With Arendelle being Nordic-derived, the Northuldra are derived from the Sámi.
There their journey continues. The encounters with the wind and fire spirits were done well, especially the latter. As was Elsa and Anna's concern for each other. “You can't just follow me into fire!” “Then don't run into fire!” The Fire Newt is appropriately cute. The tense relations between the Arendellian soldiers and the Northuldra were also appropriately depicted. But, Elsa realises she has to go further to, Ahtohallan where the mysteries of the past can be resolved. But first another discovery by her and Anna further shakes what they knew.
Elsa struggles to use her powers to get to Ahtohallan, with the water spirit impeding her before she can befriend it. However, as a result of what Elsa discovers there, Anna has to make a decision. More like a few. But compared to the major decision, deciding to deal with grief would be easy. To sacrifice Arendelle to restore the balance? But should she had consulted others before making this decision? The soldiers fall in with her, but she had already made the decision. Kristoff also agrees, but then he would...
In conclusion, it was certainly an interesting film, with a conclusion that I certainly didn't see coming. The themes of relationships, and a past that wasn't what it seems certainly resonate, and are topical in these times. The relations between the Arendellians and the Northuldra and King Runeard's intention to deceive them do have real world parallels, both in history and the present day. Are these issues treated sensitively? I think they are, but see above regarding Anna's decision. The sisterly relationship between Elsa and Anna just make it better.
Overall, it is on par with the first film. 9/10.