This month on Dispodopolis, we discuss Frozen 2. Tonight we talk about the storyline, evaluate the artistry of animation, and the musical that is Frozen 2. It has been six years since Frozen took over pop culture. Every child had heard the call to belt out, “Let It Go.” No one could have imagined the intensity of the popularity of an animated feature film. It walked down a different path for Disney and evaluated the relationship of sisters. The love that ties siblings together is their collective experiences, and their history was a unique one. As we are reintroduced to the family through this new storyline, we dive deeper into their back story.
Frozen 2 is a continuation of their story and gives us a history of their family and why Elsa is enchanted with magical powers. The story starts in the past with Anna’s and Elsa’s mother singing of a lullaby to them. It is a song that guides them through the story. Elsa starts to hear a voice calling her into the hills beyond Arendelle, and she uses this song to guide her on her journey.
The voice that Elsa hears leads them to a magical fog that guards an enchanted forest they need to traverse. This forest holds the answers to their family’s history and pushes them to the edge of their capabilities. In this forest, we are introduced to the indigenous people, Northuldra, that inhabit the northern forest near Arendelle. The introduction of the Northuldra creates space for additional characters, who are Yelena (Martha Plimpton), Ryder (Jason Ritter), and Honeymarren (Rachel Matthews). The enchanted forest is the keeper of the elements, which are fire, earth, water, and wind, and they are looking for the element that will bring them together and ensure their balance with man.
The story explains and establishes a kingdom where both Anna and Elsa can rule their realms and create a balance for all to prosper. Much is unlocked from the past, and Anna and Elsa have to face what was created by their family. Their newly acquired knowledge of the past leaves, Anna and Elsa to correct the past.
The music from Frozen 2 relies heavily on the Broadway theatrical performance experience of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It is not the pop sensational that Frozen is, but in its own right, it is quite beautiful. Each character has a musical moment in this story. Unlike in the first movie, each character has a solo that evaluates the direction of the character. Earlier in the film, we are introduced to another classic for Olaf and a power-ballad for Kristoff. The timing for these songs was perfect because it gives the viewer a moment of hilarity before the dark days of Anna and Elsa. Elsa has two songs, one that calls her into adventure and another that is her moment of realization that she is the element that completes the circle. Anna’s solo comes at her darkest hour. She has to go deep to find a reason to keep moving forward.
Frozen was beautiful, but the animation falls short compared to the strength of the music. Frozen 2’s animation is absolutely stunning and rises to meet the music and maybe even surpass it. The animation alone can keep you entranced. The way that the water moves, flows and breathes through the scene is beyond imagination. It twists and turns with color and character that give it life. The smart choice of colors that they use shows a real understanding of the power of these elements. A great example is the fire that glows through the trees in shades of purple and magenta. It rages through the autumn leaves that are highlighted in oranges, yellows, and browns. This scene has a depth and range that wasn’t there in the first movie.
Before we jump into our discussion of Frozen 2, we ask ourselves if we could acquire one thing available from Disney, what would we want for Christmas? Our requests are as humble as a Disney Club 55 jacket and a Jiminy Cricket Christmas ornament from the Disney Store to a Steiff Disney Animated Character and ending with the extravagance of the Cinderella Castle created by the Arribas Brothers. Let us know what you would like to receive from a Disney shop.
We would love to hear from you and your family. If you have any comments, questions, or fun and fancy-free thoughts for us, email us at comments@dispodopolis.com. Please enjoy our latest podcast, Dispodopolis.
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