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"Frozen II" - Pre-Viewing Thoughts and Reflections
So I wouldn't really consider myself a big fan of Disney's Frozen, but it's a film that's grown in my esteem over the past few years. I think the original movie was very overhyped, which negatively impacted my opinion of it when I originally did see it (flipped vertically on a youtube stream and on a smartboard at my college anime club). The only view that hasn't really changed over the years is that the "Let It Go" sequence is the best part of that film.
In general, my view of the movie has grown kinder over the years, and I am legitimately hyped to see Frozen II after seeing the promotional materials for it. But the original film isn't the only piece of media that currently exists for this franchise, and on a whim I decided to go see the Frozen Musical on Broadway. I ended up having a very, very good seat in the front row of the mezzanine, which extends much farther than it does in most theaters, so I ended up being pretty close to the stage with a sweeping view of the action taking place.
I was very impressed with the production as a whole. The set design was creative and they were able to put enough into showing Elsa's powers manifest that it didn't pull you out of the story. But I was extremely impressed by all four actresses playing Anna and Elsa, particularly the one playing grown up Anna. The theater really allowed the story to zero in on Anna's eccentricities in a way that was extremely funny and charming, and it helped that Patti Murin's singing voice sounds very similar to Kristen Bell's. The only lowlight was that the staging of the Hans character felt very off, and his villain reveal scene fell completely flat since they seemed to rush through it. I did appreciate the active effort to make King Agnarr and Queen Iduna not terrible parents, though a lot of the stuff with the trolls came off kind of weird.
As far as the new music goes, "Monster" is the number that sticks out the most. I kind of wish the movie had had a late act showpiece like this, but I'm glad the musical has managed to pic up the slack.
I also spent an embarrassing amount of money on merch at the show. It was a very good time, and if you have the chance to see it if you're in New York I highly recommend it!
The past two days, I've also revisited the original film, as well as the follow-up short films "Frozen Fever" and "Olaf's Frozen Adventure". The last time I'd watched all three I was mostly struck by how poorly the animation in the film had aged and how good it looked in the shorts, but looking at them now - aside from a couple of specific shots - I think the film's art style manages to save it from looking dated and makes it look more stylized (in a good way). Also, I can't stress this enough, all three have an extremely good aesthetic. Like, I'm excited for the new, Late Autumn aesthetic of Frozen II, but the art style and design for these films was just so on point and looks so good. It's honestly what drew most of my attention.
As far as Frozen II goes, I've remained relatively unspoiled going into it tonight. It helps that I'm seeing it on it's official opening night, which I in no way planned and I'm honestly stunned I'm going out of my way (driving an for an hour, even!) to do this. But I do have a lowkey fear that there's going to be a Hans-esque twist again that I could get spoiled for, so I suppose it's just as well. I haven't combed through the trailers aside from the original teaser with anything resembling a fine-toothed comb, and the only vague allusion to anything spoilery I've seen on twitter is that at some point someone has a mullet and it's dumb, but with a Disney movie that could mean anything.
What I'm hoping for is a story that goes beyond what the original film set out to do. I don't necessarily need a huge lore explanation of Elsa's powers (though I'm kind of expecting one, to be honest), but it would be nice if Elsa and her relationship with her powers got more of a focus in this because it really felt like Anna was the true protagonist of the first movie. I also hope Kristoff gets his own musical number, since Jonathan Groff has an incredible voice and it's a crime that he only has that brief rift. (I know the soundtrack has been out for like a week, but I refuse to listen to soundtracks before a see a movie or play). I also kind of hope that Hans plays some sort of role in this movie, even if it's just a vague cameo, an that none of the new "good" characters come across as overbearing because I hate that in movies - especially children's movies. Frozen has been pretty good at avoiding that problem but you never know.
Also if Olaf gets a snowwoman girlfriend who has snow boobs in this movie I will k word myself.
As far as specific predictions go, I think Elsa will go on a sort of "heroine's journey" and discover more about her powers, similar to the kind of one Rey's been on in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy minus the romantic elements. I also think that there will be a reveal that her powers encompass more than just ice, and she'll be able to do stuff with water? I just have a feeling. I also think that Kristoff's origins might come into play, which I have zero context or evidence for, it just feels like something they might bring up. Ditto with the family history of Elsa and Anna, but not in the way it was presented in Once Upon a Time. Something I'm also curious about is if the movie will end with a Sequel hook, which I'm kind of 50/50 on. Even though today is the premiere, I feel like the prospect of a Frozen 3 would've leaked before anything else.
Above all else, I'm really hoping for a good time. Ralph Breaks the Internet was an extremely frustrating movie, and I just want Disney Animation to really get a sequel right this time around. Either way, well always have Olaf's Frozen Adventure.
In general, my view of the movie has grown kinder over the years, and I am legitimately hyped to see Frozen II after seeing the promotional materials for it. But the original film isn't the only piece of media that currently exists for this franchise, and on a whim I decided to go see the Frozen Musical on Broadway. I ended up having a very, very good seat in the front row of the mezzanine, which extends much farther than it does in most theaters, so I ended up being pretty close to the stage with a sweeping view of the action taking place.
I was very impressed with the production as a whole. The set design was creative and they were able to put enough into showing Elsa's powers manifest that it didn't pull you out of the story. But I was extremely impressed by all four actresses playing Anna and Elsa, particularly the one playing grown up Anna. The theater really allowed the story to zero in on Anna's eccentricities in a way that was extremely funny and charming, and it helped that Patti Murin's singing voice sounds very similar to Kristen Bell's. The only lowlight was that the staging of the Hans character felt very off, and his villain reveal scene fell completely flat since they seemed to rush through it. I did appreciate the active effort to make King Agnarr and Queen Iduna not terrible parents, though a lot of the stuff with the trolls came off kind of weird.
As far as the new music goes, "Monster" is the number that sticks out the most. I kind of wish the movie had had a late act showpiece like this, but I'm glad the musical has managed to pic up the slack.
I also spent an embarrassing amount of money on merch at the show. It was a very good time, and if you have the chance to see it if you're in New York I highly recommend it!
The past two days, I've also revisited the original film, as well as the follow-up short films "Frozen Fever" and "Olaf's Frozen Adventure". The last time I'd watched all three I was mostly struck by how poorly the animation in the film had aged and how good it looked in the shorts, but looking at them now - aside from a couple of specific shots - I think the film's art style manages to save it from looking dated and makes it look more stylized (in a good way). Also, I can't stress this enough, all three have an extremely good aesthetic. Like, I'm excited for the new, Late Autumn aesthetic of Frozen II, but the art style and design for these films was just so on point and looks so good. It's honestly what drew most of my attention.
As far as Frozen II goes, I've remained relatively unspoiled going into it tonight. It helps that I'm seeing it on it's official opening night, which I in no way planned and I'm honestly stunned I'm going out of my way (driving an for an hour, even!) to do this. But I do have a lowkey fear that there's going to be a Hans-esque twist again that I could get spoiled for, so I suppose it's just as well. I haven't combed through the trailers aside from the original teaser with anything resembling a fine-toothed comb, and the only vague allusion to anything spoilery I've seen on twitter is that at some point someone has a mullet and it's dumb, but with a Disney movie that could mean anything.
What I'm hoping for is a story that goes beyond what the original film set out to do. I don't necessarily need a huge lore explanation of Elsa's powers (though I'm kind of expecting one, to be honest), but it would be nice if Elsa and her relationship with her powers got more of a focus in this because it really felt like Anna was the true protagonist of the first movie. I also hope Kristoff gets his own musical number, since Jonathan Groff has an incredible voice and it's a crime that he only has that brief rift. (I know the soundtrack has been out for like a week, but I refuse to listen to soundtracks before a see a movie or play). I also kind of hope that Hans plays some sort of role in this movie, even if it's just a vague cameo, an that none of the new "good" characters come across as overbearing because I hate that in movies - especially children's movies. Frozen has been pretty good at avoiding that problem but you never know.
Also if Olaf gets a snowwoman girlfriend who has snow boobs in this movie I will k word myself.
As far as specific predictions go, I think Elsa will go on a sort of "heroine's journey" and discover more about her powers, similar to the kind of one Rey's been on in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy minus the romantic elements. I also think that there will be a reveal that her powers encompass more than just ice, and she'll be able to do stuff with water? I just have a feeling. I also think that Kristoff's origins might come into play, which I have zero context or evidence for, it just feels like something they might bring up. Ditto with the family history of Elsa and Anna, but not in the way it was presented in Once Upon a Time. Something I'm also curious about is if the movie will end with a Sequel hook, which I'm kind of 50/50 on. Even though today is the premiere, I feel like the prospect of a Frozen 3 would've leaked before anything else.
Above all else, I'm really hoping for a good time. Ralph Breaks the Internet was an extremely frustrating movie, and I just want Disney Animation to really get a sequel right this time around. Either way, well always have Olaf's Frozen Adventure.