When Frozen debuted in 2013, it became an unexpected hit. The Disney film was the top-grossing film of the year — surpassing $1.3 billion in revenue worldwide — and currently holds the spot for the top-grossing animated film in box-office history. (A Broadway adaptation was even made!)
So it wasn't a surprise in 2015 when Walt Disney Animation Studios announced that it would be releasing Frozen 2, out Fri., Nov. 22, Disney's first-ever animated musical sequel released in theaters. While the franchise is aimed at children, Frozen 2 deals with themes about maturing, and follows sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell), as the new rulers of their kingdom, fighting to save both their homeland and themselves.
Set three years after the original, Elsa is haunted by a mysterious siren call that only she can hear. Shortly after she starts hearing the voice, unrest erupts in the kingdom. So, she follows the voice into a forest encapsulated by a magic fog, in search of an answer. No one has ever been able to go in or out before, until Elsa, thanks to her magical powers. Anna, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf (Josh Gad), join Elsa on her quest into the unknown land to save their kingdom.
Frozen 2 touches on complicated issues for a kids' movie, like trying to fix the sins of past generations, but also touches on themes familiar with Disney audiences, such as self-acceptance and the loss of innocence.
The sequel builds upon the original, allowing viewers to dive deeper into the lives of Elsa and Anna. It was fun and entertaining to watch, but I feel like it won't have the long-lasting staying power of the first, which was propelled by the chart-topping track "Let It Go." The soundtrack was something that interested me the most and there was no standout song that I believe will be able to match the popular self-empowerment tune.
Frozen 2 will do well simply because those who loved the first will return for more adventures with Elsa, Anna, and of course, the lovable snowman Olaf.
Frozen 2 will do well simply because it's Frozen 2
