“Frozen” has become to Generation Z’s what “The Lion King” was to millennials: a childhood-defining animated epic that has earned untold billions in revenue for Disney. But how does “Frozen II,” directed again by Chris Buck and newly minted Disney Animation head Jennifer Lee, hold up to that standard?
The answer seems to be well enough. The first round of reviews have come in, and with 43 reviews logged so far, the film has an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus seems to be that the film’s story is not as cohesive or powerful as the first “Frozen,” and there doesn’t seem to be a “Let It Go” anywhere in the film’s new array of songs. But, the incredibly stunning visuals and emotional core — the bond between Elsa and Anna — sees the film through.
“‘Frozen II‘ is a deeply strange movie,” Hannah wrote Lodge for The Beat. Firstly, in regards to expectations, it’s got some weighty themes for a Disney film. Secondly, the structure, rhythm and pacing of this film doesn’t follow the traditional ebb and flow you expect as an audience member. At times that’s refreshing, and at other times it’s awkward..”
TheWrap’s Alonso Duralde didn’t feel that a sequel to “Frozen” was necessary, but sees some interesting experiments in animation and theme at play.
“The implications of Arendelle’s past sins coming back to haunt the kingdom could also certainly lead parents to interesting conversations with their children about history, politics and crimes committed by those in power,” he wrote.
“Frozen II” hits theaters on Nov. 22. Read some more of the reviews below:
“If ‘Frozen’ was about coming to terms with who you are, the sequel is about transformation. Does it offer any further evidence to those who interpreted “Let It Go” as Elsa’s covert coming-out anthem? Sadly no, though she remains an intriguingly elliptical canvas on which to project genuinely groundbreaking ideas about empowerment and identity. Elsa may be an icon, but there’s nothing set in stone about her, and it’s good to have her back.”
“‘Frozen’ may have ended with everything in its right place, but Lee and Buck’s long-awaited followup makes the case that a sequel was necessary, not because it was demanded, but because “Frozen” was never the correct end of the story. Loving the characters and themes of “Frozen” and wanting to see more of them can only naturally lead to “Frozen 2,” which does away with so many of the happily-ever-after elements of the first film (and finds new, updated ones). By moving the tension between the traditional and the bold to the forefront, ‘Frozen 2’ is one of the more daring visions of the future of Disney moviemaking, all bolstered by gorgeous animation and a handful of instant-classic new jams.
“The first ‘Frozen’ is such lightning in a bottle that it’s impossible to capture that exactly. The phenomena around that first movie is one of those once-in-a-generation type events that can’t just be duplicated, so why even try to do exactly that? What’s smart about ‘Frozen II’ is, instead of trying to just recapture its past glory, it decides to be interesting. And when making a sequel to a cultural phenomenon, “being interesting” seems both pretty rare and the best we can hope for.”
“Narratively, ‘Frozen II’ is a mess, an avalanche of half-formed ideas which might have been more suited to a spin-off novel or a video game, and which leaves us asking WTF, or What The Frozen? And yet, beyond its thicket of tangled concepts and subplots, there is nothing to it but one small revelation which astute viewers will have predicted after five minutes. Remember how we were all fooled into thinking that dastardly Prince Hans was the hero in ‘Frozen’? The twists in ‘Frozen II’ are fumbled in comparison.”
10 Films Directed by Women to Check Out This Fall, From 'Frozen 2' to 'Little Women' (Photos)
After years of criticism over the lack of gender diversity among directors in Hollywood, studios are finally starting to hire more women. 2019 is the first year that all major studios are releasing at least one film directed by a woman, and this fall's slate has plenty of women contributing movies, from animated blockbusters to potential Oscar contenders. Here are 10 to look out for.
Lorene Scafaria - “Hustlers” (Sept. 13)
The writer of “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” will direct this crime dramedy for STX based on Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article “The Hustlers at Scores.” The film features a cast led by Constance Wu and Jennifer Lopez in a true story about a team of strippers who seduced and stole from Wall Street’s elite after the 2008 recession.
STX
Jill Culton - “Abominable” (Sept. 27)
September usually has an animated feature on the release slate, and this year’s offering comes from DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio with Jill Culton’s tale about a Shanghai girl who goes on an adventure to help a Yeti return to Everest. Culton, who directed “Open Season” for Sony, left and returned to “Abominable” during its development.
DreamWorks Animation
Kasi Lemmons - “Harriet” (Nov. 1)
Every weekend in November will have a film made by a woman hitting theaters, starting with Focus Features’ biopic starring Cynthia Erivo as the famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Kasi Lemmons, who directed Samuel L. Jackson in “Eve’s Bayou,” is working here with a cast that includes Janelle Monae and “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr.
Focus Features
Alma Har’el - “Honey Boy” (Nov. 8)
Next is a film that left Sundance utterly speechless. Alma Har’el, a longtime commercial director who has fought bias in the ad industry, directs longtime collaborator Shia LaBoeuf in “Honey Boy,” a film written by LaBoeuf as an unflinching examination of his life as a child actor. LaBoeuf stars as a character based on his abusive father.
Amazon Studios
Elizabeth Banks - “Charlie’s Angels” (Nov. 15)
Having previously directed “Pitch Perfect 2,” Elizabeth Banks is bringing “Charlie’s Angels” back to the big screen, and also starring as this incarnation's Bosley to a new team of Angels (Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska) in a Townsend Agency that has expanded worldwide.
Sony
Marielle Heller - “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (Nov. 22)
November 22 will be the big weekend. Marielle Heller, who last year directed Melissa McCarthy to an Oscar nomination in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, helms this biopic based on the friendship between writer Tom Junod and Mister Rogers, played by Tom Hanks.
Sony
Jennifer Lee - “Frozen II” (Nov. 22)
On the same weekend, Jennifer Lee will team up once again with Chris Buck to bring Anna and Elsa back to the big screen. “Frozen” catapulted Jennifer Lee into the top tier of animators, and last year she was named the new creative head of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Disney
Melina Matsoukas - “Queen & Slim” (Nov. 29)
But while “Frozen II” will be a family delight, Melina Matsoukas will be bringing something much darker. Written by Lena Waithe, “Queen & Slim” stars Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith as a couple who must go on the run after they shoot a police officer during a traffic stop gone wrong.
Universal
Chinonye Chukwu - “Clemency” (Dec. 27)
Alfre Woodard stars in this year’s Sundance U.S. Dramatic Jury Award winner that also looks like a strong awards season contender. Director Chukwu became the first black woman to win that prize with this tale about a prison warden who oversees inmates on death row. .
NEON
Greta Gerwig - “Little Women” (Dec. 25)
Another likely awards season contender from Gerwig, still riding high from her “Lady Bird” Best Director nomination, this is the eighth feature adaption of the Alcott literary classic. The murderer’s row of a cast includes: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep and Timothée Chalamet. Get ready for this one to be talked about for months.
Sony
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From Heller to Gerwig and beyond, the opportunities for female filmmakers to shine are growing
After years of criticism over the lack of gender diversity among directors in Hollywood, studios are finally starting to hire more women. 2019 is the first year that all major studios are releasing at least one film directed by a woman, and this fall's slate has plenty of women contributing movies, from animated blockbusters to potential Oscar contenders. Here are 10 to look out for.