I enjoyed Frozen more than I anticipated, so I was really looking forward to this sequel after six years. It's one of the few films from 2019 that I went into almost completely blind; I skipped trailers and avoided most images or clips, not knowing where the story would lead. With fairly high expectations, how did it turn out? Surprisingly well. In fact, I ended up liking this sequel even more than the first one, mainly because of its more intricate emotional storyline—something I suspect many younger viewers might miss entirely. It's genuinely difficult to create an animated film that appeals to both adults and children simultaneously. The best ones manage to tell two stories at once: a simpler narrative for kids with basic lessons, and a deeper one for adults exploring more complex themes. While Frozen II doesn’t quite reach this ideal, its layered script allows for a fascinating exploration of Elsa's abilities that I wasn't expecting. However, there’s a noticeable drawback to the intense focus on Elsa’s journey: the other characters get sidelined with unimportant subplots that unnecessarily extend the film’s length and lead to some actions that don’t quite fit their personalities. There were even moments where a specific character seemed to disappear from the story because the filmmakers struggled to incorporate them into the final act. Despite these subplots not adding much to the characters or overall plot, I have to admit there are several entertaining and genuinely funny scenes. Olaf is an absolute standout; like in the first film, he doesn’t really have a character arc, but he delivers some of the funniest moments of the year. I laughed so hard that I cried. His song and certain scenes where Josh Gad shines are among the movie's highlights. The voice cast is again excellent. Anna, Kristoff, and Sven mostly tag along, only contributing meaningfully in the last 15-20 minutes. Elsa is clearly the star, and from the opening shot to the very end, it’s all about her and the origin of her powers. It might be a bit much for children to follow, but despite a few minor issues, the screenplay is exceptionally well-crafted. With a great build-up and some truly amazing songs, Elsa experiences several action sequences showcasing the full potential of her magic—and they’re visually stunning. As with the first film, the animation quality is outstanding. They clearly invested a lot of effort into Elsa's magical moments. From running against waves to battling the four elements (water, fire, earth, and air), there are imaginative and highly entertaining scenes that elevate the movie beyond its predecessor. Combine this with the wonderful, powerful score, and you get an impressively large-scale film. While "Into the Unknown" might not reach the global phenomenon status of “Let It Go,” it’s still a fantastic song—even better when experienced while watching the scene unfold. Both that one and "Show Yourself" have build-ups that will give you chills. “All Is Found” is also a memorable lullaby that many parents will likely sing to their children. "When I Am Older" provides Olaf with a hilarious musical moment that had me laughing throughout its duration. I love Frozen II’s score, more than the original's. That was something I didn’t anticipate at all. Looking back, I now realize that the first film could have used more significant songs; this sequel has plenty of songs that are either crucial to the characters or funny parodies—all captivating, catchy, and emotionally resonant. My advice: please don’t listen to the soundtrack before seeing the movie. Not only do the titles and lyrics offer plot spoilers, but they also ruin that initial viewing experience. I felt chills during a couple of them precisely because I was watching alongside hearing them for the first time. Overall, Frozen II rewards the six-year wait with a sequel worthy of standing alongside its original—and in my opinion, surpassing it. With an emotionally complex narrative, Elsa’s powers are explored and developed in a captivating, creative, fun, and entertaining way. Disney put their best animators on this one because the animation quality is more visually impressive than ever before; it truly feels like a magical film. The combination of Elsa's magic demonstrations and the powerful, chilling score creates some genuinely epic moments. Olaf remains the MVP with increased screentime and some of the funniest scenes of the year. It’s unfortunate that the focus on Elsa’s storyline pushed all other characters to the side, making them feel somewhat superfluous and lacking in compelling subplots. The runtime feels a bit stretched due to their side adventures, and there's quite a bit of exposition throughout the film. Ultimately, it’s still a contender for Best Animated Feature Film of 2019. Rating: B+

Source on TMDB