But the sequel fell flat for me. Now after seeing it more than once I will say I don't think it's "bad". It has some very funny moments and the music is probably one of its most redeeming elements. And honestly the story isn't the worst thing Disney has done with a sequel, I mean y'all remember Pocahontas 2 right? Yeah... ouch. But Frozen 2 just wasn't what I think it could've been! Here's what they could've changed to make it GREAT:
1. Kristoff and Anna relationship; okay one of the best (both funny and moving) moments in the film is Kristoff's power ballad "Lost in the Woods". But how much better would their relationships growth been if they had gotten engaged at the beginning of the film. Give me a guy who isn't afraid of his feelings and just muddled through and gets it done. And then all of the bumps in the road and challenges they faced afterwards would have a greater feeling of depth. Have Kristoff wonder if marriage is right ("it's always been a question of how I never thought it was a question of whether"), have Anna wondering why he left and where he is. Just give me greater drama AFTER engagement so I sense a feeling of risk like they really might not work out. This way I have more of a feeling of joy and excitement when things are resolved. When Kristoff returns give me the quirky Anna who tires to have a deep conversation during the chase and then have them reaffirm that yes no matter the bumps and bruises they choose one another. It would've shown character development past the first movie and felt more adult vs. silly classic guy who can't express his feelings.
2. Anna being the 5th spirit; okay after many a rewatch and some real pondering I think the 5 spirit should've been Love. After all ice is literally just another side of water which is already a spirit. Love being the 5th spirit perfectly alignes with the message of the first movie. And literally what better embodiment of Love than Anna? She literally ran into fire to try and help save her sister because she loves her. Throughout the film Anna is shown to value love above all else. Also and don't shoot the messenger but I'm kinda tired of banging the "Elsa is special, very yes" drum. Okay we get it! She's special Anna is ordinary blah-blah. I'm ready for someone to tell girls that you don't have to have super powers or be "as good" as your siblings to have deep value. And just being kind and loving can make all the difference. Also it would have been an appropriate slap in the face for Elsa to get to Atahalin just to be told, " Yup the person you've continued to push away is actually the one you needed all along. Stop being dumb." That being said they could've still pointed out that bridges have 2 ends and Elsa still could've stayed in the forest I think that made plenty of sense.
3. Confontational reuinion between sisters; listen I have a sister and no matter how much I love her sometimes we have our issues. Anna has some issues with codependency and Elsa is insensitive and pushes people away. Neither are completely right OR completely wrong. However a realising reuinion between sisters would've included a little anger. Anna had a right to tell Elsa off for pushing her away. They should've argued and apologized for their actions. Give me an example of people who make mistakes and don't always do the right thing. But they know when to apologies and make it right. That is the kind of message I want shown to children because it's a powerful message. Forgiveness goes hand in hand with love and needs to be given it's moment in the light.
4. Actual consequences to choices; the big moment of the film is when they break the dam to make things right at the cost of their home. But the bing-bam-boom Elsa saves the day and it doesn't matter no real sacrifice. LAME! Just like forgiveness is a message that needs to be shown so are consequences. Sometimes the happy ending isn't exactly what you expect. Have Arundel be destroyed and then the closing musical number can show them rebuilding. Moving forward and doing the next right thing because that's what we do in life. Sometimes we face the consequences of other people's choices but we make the best of it.
Again I'm not saying that frozen 2 was bad. I just think they found the easy (lazy) story that worked just enough to make a quick money making sequel. And with a little editing, some thought about what principles they really wanted to show and teach they could've gone above and beyond and given us something worth all the hype.
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