So, naturally, it’s time for a sequel. Frozen 2 continues the story of Anna and Elsa, the royal orphans of Arendelle. The Frozen film reckoned with Elsa’s powers, particularly how they provoked fear in both Elsa and everyone around her. The sequel explains why and how she came into this world with magical ice powers in the first place. Pulled along by a melodic siren song, Elsa begins a journey into her parents’ unknown past so that she is able to understand her present and secure her future.
It’s been six years since the Frozen phenomenon began – six years since the choruses to Do You Want to Build a Snowman? and Let It Go riveted themselves into the minds of children from Britain to Bangladesh.
I suppose I could keep on about the plot, but if I’m being honest, I must confess that I found it to be largely incoherent. Yes, A comes before B, and B comes before C. But the connective tissue between plot points A, B and C seemed threadbare.
Here’s the opening sentence of the Wikipedia summary: ‘King Agnarr of Arendelle tells a story to his young children, Elsa and Anna, that their grandfather, King Runeard, established a treaty with the tribe of Northuldra by building a dam in their homeland, the Enchanted Forest.’ There’s a lot there, and the whole film hinges on understanding precisely why all of it happened – everything from the sociopolitical motivations to the prejudices that separate the two disparate nation states (Arendelle and Northuldra). I don’t particularly care about all of that, though there are certainly some nods to sadder eras of American history that are worth talking about.
Something for the kids
On the other hand, the four-year-old sitting next to me didn’t know any of that was even going on; she just couldn’t wait for another song, or another hilarious Olaf interval. And you know what? She’s right – kudos to children for encouraging us all to resist pedantry! After all, Frozen 2 is a kid’s movie, and so it ought not be judged like the latest Oliver Stone biopic.
So, while I wish it made more sense, I nonetheless left the theatre satisfied. Olaf is hilarious; every joke lands.
And, of course, the songs. Kids and parents will love them. They thrill and stay stuck in your head. Even better, they’ve got range, from Olaf’s goofy When I Am Older to Anna’s broody The Next Right Thing. The latter actually includes the line: ‘Hello darkness: I am ready to succumb.’ Based on their run-time and placement in the film, I assume Elsa’s Into the Unknown and the sisters’ duet of Show Yourself are meant to be the big hits, but I wouldn’t be surprised if these other songs have more staying power. In fact, Kristof’s homage to heavy-metal power ballads, Lost in the Woods, is my personal favourite.
Something to think about
Frozen 2 has already made almost a billion dollars worldwide. So when you see it, sit back, enjoy the jokes and the jingles, and think about ways to talk about it with your non-Christian friends.
There are ill-advised ways to do this – like comparing its conclusion to the Bible’s, as if Frozen 2 is meant to be a kind of eschatological allegory. Instead, pick at some of its clearer themes and consider asking questions like these:
• The tribespeople of Northuldra place their trust in silent, elemental spirits. Elsa seems to trust her own feelings entirely. Christians, on the other hand, place their trust in a speaking God. Who or what do you place your ultimate trust in?
• Throughout the film, Elsa is animated by discovering what happened in her country’s past and then making it right. How important is it to rectify the errors of the past? Is it even possible?
• What do you think about the personal ethic ‘Do the next right thing’? Is it ever sufficient? Why or why not?
