I don't usually make posts about random experiences or viewings of movies that I've had, as it's usually only if it's about something new / noteworthy. However, I really want to share this experience and I couldn't think of a better place than here.
Everyone knows Frozen, it's kind of hard to believe there's anyone who doesn't. I remember going to see it as a 10 year-old and thinking it was just alright, a 6/10. But, I kind of grew a strong hatred towards it as, almost overnight, it became a cultural phenomenon. The songs were everywhere, the characters became iconic, it was unbelievable. So, for the following 2 or 3 years, I was really not a fan.
Unsurprisingly, a sequel was on the way. By the time Frozen 2 properly came to my awareness (around Spring 2019 when the initial trailers were released) I really didn't know what to think. I hadn't seen the original in a while and thus I'd kind of forgotten about it altogether. So, as the release drew closer, I slowly became more keen to give it a go, and reassess the original in the process. I ended up missing it during its theatrical run but finally got around to watching it in July of 2020, being one of the many films I watched for the first time during the whole COVID ordeal.
Before I go into my thoughts on Frozen 2, I should mention that I did revisit the original Frozen in March last year. I was hoping for it to be better than I remembered but it was still just alright, though definitely not worthy of the hate I gave it. I like the characters, especially Anna, some of the twists on typical conventions are well done, the songs are a mostly weak bunch but Let it Go is a banger despite being extremely overly-played, and the animation is solid. It's a fine watch but there's nothing about it that particularly catches my attention.
Upon my first viewing, I thought Frozen 2 was mostly the same in terms of quality, it was ok. I found it to be very plot-heavy and convoluted, the songs were an even weaker selection than the first with nothing reaching the highs of Let it Go, and Olaf was far more annoying as a comic relief. But I thought Anna and Elsa were really well realised and had a nice bond, which gave the film a really solid emotional core. In the original they mostly spend the time trying to adapt to be with one another, but I prefer how they were here as they get more time to connect in a really genuine way. On top of that, the animation was far better, not just because Disney have perfected their craft with CGI since the original, but because it plays around with more than just ice, throwing elements such as fire and water into the mix and putting creative spins on all of them. So, because of that, I thought it was a marginal improvement.
Since then, I basically forgot the about the movie. However, it came back into my memory when I discovered a documentary series that went behind the scenes and showcased the production process. I thought I'd give it a try but was expecting to just watch the first episode and call it a day. How wrong I was. I thought this was a fascinating documentary, and for many reasons.
Even though I already knew how long and how much effort it takes to make an animated movie, I don't really think it can be emphasised enough. Anyone who has ever worked on one has worked harder than I'll likely ever work in my life. They are truly a product of anyone involved, beyond the directors. Every animator makes great contributions and implements their own ideas. Watching this series was really insightful into this process because, even though I have watched countless animated films, I really didn't realise just how much goes into making one. Honestly, I could not stop watching this. I planned to watch it over the course of a few days but got through it all in one go, I was so transfixed in everything that happened and was even kind of sad when it ended. I hope we can see more series like this for other animated movies.
So, after seeing all this, all the hard work and passion from everyone involved, I felt kind of sad that it was all for something I didn't really care about. I know anyone can feel any way about anything but I genuinely felt bad for not really giving this film much attention. Honestly, I don't take any pride in disliking the things I dislike, or regarding things as just ok, I always try to look for the best in films. So, I saw it best to give Frozen 2 another chance.
Fortunately, I like it considerably more. I can't help but appreciate what I see after knowing what went into crafting it. That's not to say I think the film is perfect, I still think the story is a bit of a mess and Olaf is still annoying, but there are things I think I was simply wrong about before. Most notably, the songs were far better than I remember. Show Yourself and Into the Unknown (the showstoppers that seem to be this movie's Let it Go equivalents) are both terrific, but my favourite is All is Found, the tender and gentle lullaby from the very start, which has been stuck in my head for a week now. Additionally, the things I liked the first time around were still apparent here, Anna and Elsa being two great characters and the animation being so stunning and a massive step-up from before.
So, I'm glad I like it more now because I really wanted to after seeing what a labour of love it was for the filmmakers. If every animated film had a behind the scenes documentary series like this did, maybe my appreciation for many others, even those that I like a lot less, would be increased too. As it stands, I have infinite respect for everyone who has contributed in some way to the medium. It may take a lot more time and patience that just sticking a camera in front of some actors, but it's so versatile and so wondrous that I believe it is completely worth it in the end.
So, that's my quite weird experience with Frozen 2. Also, while I'm here, can I just take a moment to spread my excitement for Raya and the Last Dragon? I hope this movie is good, dragons in general are awesome and I love the oriental style this seems to have with its visuals and music. It looks so different and refreshing for Disney so I'll be sure to see that when it drops on Disney+, unless cinemas are back in which case I'll try and catch it there.
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