It is indisputable that Frozen is one of the most popular Disney films, if not the most popular film of our time. Elsa and Anna have a place in princess loyalty and have become inspirations for toys, merchandises, and even flash games. Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Frozen was a gigantic success; it grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide and won many prestigious awards, including Academy Awards for Best Picture. Its impact on pop culture, especially on young kids, is simply undeniable. Nine years after, Disney released its sequel, Frozen II.

Frozen II continues the story of the royal sisters, Elsa and Anna. Three years after her coronation, Elsa celebrates the autumn season with her family: Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven. One night, Elsa hears a mysterious voice. She follows the voice, which unintentionally awakens the elemental spirits: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. This incident forces the people of the kingdom to evacuate. Grand Pabbie and the Rock Troll colony visit the kingdom and inform its people that Elsa has to fix the problem by discovering the past of their family and the kingdom.

Frozen II is quite distinctive from its predecessor in terms of narrative. If Frozen deals with self-acceptance, then Frozen II touches on reckoning the familial past. The story is grimmer but also more complex and well-realized. The expansion of the fantasy aspect and the introduction of several new characters also enriches the world that Elsa and Anna live in. However, this expansion also slightly convolutes the main story. The characters are also developed even further without sacrificing their identity. The writers tried something new, and for better or worse.

The visuals here are simply astounding. There is variety in the environments shown in the movie with mesmerizing details and great polish. The animation is also stunning and an improvement from Frozen, with an adequate amount of marvelous action scenes.

Frozen was synonymous with its music, and this time Frozen II also provides some superb songs, especially “Into the Unknown,” sang by Idina Menzel. However, the music from Frozen II does not particularly reach the highs that were achieved by its predecessor.

Overall, Frozen II is a new and enthralling journey to follow. The emotional payoff and the music might not be as rewarding as the original, but this sequel offers something new to the story. If you love Frozen and want to see another journey of Elsa, Anna, and Olaf, Frozen II is worth your time.