First Frozen 2 reactions tease a less magical but darker, complex sequel

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

OK so confession time. I've never seen the first FROZEN film. This news may shock you but I insist it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a forty-one year old man without a daughter. (OK maybe a little.) Honestly, I just never got around to seeing the chilling feel-good exploits of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf. The 2013 film was an unquestionable success with critics and fans, raking in over $1.2 billion worldwide, winning Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song ("Let It Go"), and proving that John Travolta has no clue how to pronounce Idina Menzel's name. A sequel was inevitable and although it took six years, we're just two weeks out from FROZEN 2. And now early reactions to the film have begun to freeze their way online:

Loved #Frozen2. It’s a darker, more complex and more emotionally mature story, continuing everything you love about the first movie and upping the ante while maintaining the intimacy of the original. Gorgeous animation, wonderful new characters and (FINALLY) a Kristoff song! âÂ?ï¸Â pic.twitter.com/ZB7Dyul6Ia

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) November 8, 2019

Just got out of #Frozen2! It doesn’t capture all the magic of the first, but it’s got: Elsa in a wetsuit, Anna ugly crying, Sven ugly crying, Kristoff singing a ‘90s rock ballad, Olaf at his wisest, and… THIS GOOD BOY!! (We must protect him at all costs.) pic.twitter.com/a4WJ0k08Hs

— Alison Foreman (@alfaforeman) November 8, 2019

I really, really liked FROZEN II. A movie that doesn’t even try to have a traditional villain, but instead explores the fears of people, groups you haven’t met yet. And what happens when you learn your own tragic truth.

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) November 8, 2019

#Frozen2 is breathtakingly beautiful and leans in on empowerment for its characters. I cried at least 3 times. From the story to the last thread on Elsa's dress, the care and love put into it shows. And, good news, every one of Team Elsa gets at least one solo this time around.

— Alisha Grauso (@AlishaGrauso) November 8, 2019

#Frozen2 seems to exist primarily bc box office for Frozen 1 demanded a sequel, but there’s still plenty to love here: eye-popping fantasy sequences, nice moments for your faves, LOTS of new songs incl the earworm-y “Into the Unknown,” and an unbearably cute new critter pic.twitter.com/PHg80bc1Bp

— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) November 8, 2019

#Frozen2 is good, of not as good as the first. It looks great and has delightful banter, but the story feels like "dark sequel" Mad Libs (without the courage of its convictions). With two exceptions, the songs aren't very good, playing as redundant "explain my motivation" tunes. pic.twitter.com/4cGa8wpKGH

— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) November 8, 2019

While early reactions aren't necessarily indicative of a film's success and they are certainly aren't full-fledged reviews, this news sounds encouraging for FROZEN fans. What's intriguing to me is that the film apparently doesn't have a central villain but examines the fears of encountering people and places you aren't familiar with. With immigration a hot button topic worldwide, it certainly sounds as if FROZEN 2 will be timely as well as contain catchy songs. Also that frog/lizard/dragon thing looks ridiculously cute.