Queen Elsa and Princess Anna of Arendelle embarked on their newest journey together in the Frozen sequel released on November 22. Along with Olaf’s innocent humor, Kristoff’s charm, and Sven’s dutiful help, the team seeks answers about the royal family’s past in the enchanted forest.

The first Frozen topped box office charts back in 2013, earning over $1.2 billion around the world; this success, though beneficial then, made it difficult for its successor to live up to the hype. The movie begins with a look into the past, with Anna and Elsa’s parents telling them about a mysterious enchanted forest and the secrets it holds. From this bedtime story, the two sisters learn that after a war between the indigenous people of the forest and the Arendellians, a protective mist formed to block people from leaving and entering the forest. Anna and Elsa also learn about a river that knows all secrets, which becomes a popular theme throughout the film. Their mother sings them a surprisingly dark lullaby about the secrets the river holds in a movie geared towards children. 

After the cryptic flashback, the audience sees a happy life for the queen, princess, and their posse. Olaf, who receives magic from Elsa to keep him frozen, gives Kristoff advice as he prepares to propose to Anna, a moment that made fans smile considering her relationship trouble with Hans in the first movie. However, Elsa begins to hear a voice calling out to her, which she believes comes from the forest; this abruptly interrupts this time of contentment.

“I love how the movie continued right from the past and revealed some information about Anna and Elsa’s parents because that was a big secret about what actually happened to them,” junior Macey Lawrence said. 

Viewers should notice similarities between the first film and this new one, with snippets of songs from the first Frozen, played every once in a while. Once Elsa feels the urge to explore the enchanted forest, she belts “Show Yourself,” a song noticeably similar to “Let It Go” seeing as both songs display a breakthrough for the ice queen. Both songs take place in an ice castle and as the songs progress, Elsa seems more confident and free, specifically with her ice powers. 

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven head to the enchanted forest and learn all kinds of secrets about the girls’ parents and their puzzling death. In a heart-wrenching scene, the girls stumble upon the shipwreck that ended their mother and father’s lives. Frozen 2 reveals truths about the former royalty of Arendelle, which visibly disappoints them. Anna begins to dedicate herself to fixing the situation with the indigenous people of the enchanted forest as she wistfully sings “The Next Right Thing.” 

As all Disney movies do, the film ends with a happy ending that will please children, all while teaching them about courage, curiosity and doing the right thing. One key theme deals with Anna maturing as she steps into the role as queen of Arendelle after Elsa chooses to stay in the enchanted forest once she lifts the protective mist and releases those trapped inside. The girls learn the truth about their mother and Elsa’s role in nature, which transforms Elsa into a confident, independent woman for children to admire. 

The Chant’s Grade: A