This Frozen 2 review shares a parent’s honest opinion about the movie, and if it’s safe for small kids to watch.
Is Frozen 2 too dark for kids? This has been the question many have asked since screenings started for the highly anticipated sequel of FROZEN.
Frozen 2 Review For Parents
The storyline for Frozen 2 has complexities to it kids may not catch right away. But if they do, this will be a learning lesson for your family to talk about around the dinner table.
As we viewed Frozen 2 during the world premiere, I couldn’t help but think about the many subjects my kids, especially my daughter, will ask about after seeing the film.
Because of these topics, I think most children will enjoy the film, but more sensitive or inquisitive kids will need some hand-holding during the movie. I’ll explain why.
LIEUTENANT DESTIN MATTIAS loyally protected his homeland of Arendelle for years. But, in doing so, he became trapped in an enchanted forest where he’s been for more than 30 years. He’s never forgotten his sworn duty to Arendelle, but the arrival of Queen Elsa and discovery that she has magical powers is just the first of many challenges to his long-held beliefs. Featuring Sterling K. Brown as the voice of Mattias, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Patriarchy, Royalty and Reparations
Without spoiling Frozen 2, I did want to touch on the heavy subjects that are brought up during the film. We focus quite a bit on the effects of a patriarchy, especially when it comes to royal families and their decisions “for the greater good.”
Kristen Bell, who voices Anna, put it perfectly during the Frozen 2 press conference when she stated that “sometimes those in the past didn’t get it right.”
The journey to find out where Elsa’s powers came from takes the royal sisters on an adventure to the past, and as Kristen said “in order to evolve, you have to learn from history.”
There’s also a situation within the film that may bring up the topic of reparations. Disney actually did a wonderful job of introducing this very layered subject within the film.
I hope you’ll take advantage if this and talk to you kids about what reparations means, and how the Frozen 2 storyline parallels what may be happening off-screen and in the present day.
QUEEN IDUNA loves her daughters Anna and Elsa and wants to protect them at all costs – especially from the secrets of her past. But as young Elsa’s powers and questions grow, she begins to wonder if her own past may hold the answers for her family. Featuring Evan Rachel Wood as the voice of Iduna, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Love and Representation
One of my favorite parts of this film is that our kids are going to see the different versions of love. Within Frozen 2, we see examples of self love, familial love, and romantic love.
This trifecta of love moves the story to a higher level of appreciation. Each character encounters one of these versions of love, and some of them have to use them to work through hard situations.
Olaf and Kristoff Are The Relief We Need
Again, not to spoil the film for you, but you and your kids are going to highly enjoy seeing Olaf and Kristoff back on the big screen. This is definitely a sister adventure, but these two characters almost steal the show.
There are some very heartfelt and funny scenes with both of them, and your kids are going to really appreciate the uplifting rhetoric they bring.
KING AGNARR – The son of King Runeard, King Agnarr is married to Queen Iduna, and is Anna and Elsa’s father. King Agnarr loves his family, and would do anything to ensure his daughters’ wellbeing and safety. Alfred Molina lends his voice to King Agnarr. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Frozen 2 Review and Recommendations
All and all, I will say that children ages 5 and up will enjoy Frozen 2. The darker scenes may require a sit in their parents’ laps, or a bit of hand-holding, but movies like this are so necessary.
When asked about the visual darkness and semi-heavy tone of the storyline, Kristen Bell gave some wonderful advice.
She mentioned that films like this provide a safe space for our kids to experience these kinds of feelings. To explore being scared, to explore caring deeply for a character, and know that these feelings are real.
What brilliant advice! The world isn’t all unicorns and rainbows, and Frozen 2 provides a safe place for our kids to gently learn this from characters they know and love.
Frozen 2 Cast and Crew
From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, and producer Peter Del Vecho—and featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, and the music of Oscar®-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019.
Check out the teaser trailer from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2.”
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