“Frozen 2” isn’t out until the end of the month, but critics have already shared a slew of reactions to the film.
And it seems reviews are positive overall.
“Frozen 2” currently has an 81% on the Rotten Tomatoes’ “Tomatometer” scale with 48 different reviews. The overall consensus seems to be that the film “doesn’t quite nail the showstopping feel of the first film,” but “it is still a dazzling adventure into the unknown,” according to Rotten Tomatoes.
We scanned multiple reviews for the films and shared quotes from those reviews below along with links back to the original review if you feel like reading more.
Here are the early reactions:
Associated Press: “Well, it’s got quality, and it’s got quantity (HOW many animators are listed in those closing credits?) It just doesn’t have the exciting, lightning-in-a-bottle feel that the wonderful original had. Perhaps that was too much to ask.”
New York Post: “The second ‘Frozen’ is even better than the first, with dazzling animation and a more mature and tuneful score.”
Los Angeles Times: “This kind of self-awareness can be a tricky proposition. ... But the approach mostly works for this sweet, diverting sequel, which understands ... just how susceptible the audience might be to ‘Frozen’ fatigue.”
ScreenRant: “Still, it’s not as cohesive a movie as ‘Frozen’ was, which may be down to the sequel never even attempting to introduce a villain. Instead, ‘Frozen 2’ takes the risk of forgoing the typical Disney movie story structure for a more mature style — and while it doesn’t entirely work, other aspects of the film are compelling enough to keep viewers engaged.”
Empire magazine: “It’s also a more mature film that deals with notions of maturity, for an audience that has itself grown up in the six years since the previous outing. That means an expansive, mythical tone as the gang sets off on a quest tied into a mystery around Elsa and Anna’s family history, incorporating epic fantasy elements from Middle-earthian stone giants, to elemental spirits and indigenous tribal communities.”
Polygon: “The emotional swell of the fantasy sequel is up to par with the first, but some of the comedic relief grates on adult sensibilities, and the ending doesn’t hit hard. It’s all just a little safe.”
Gizmodo: “Taken out of context, the story itself is hugely epic and fascinating, with enough mystery and revelation to drive the film from beginning to end. Unfortunately, most of it comes in dense, exposition-heavy chunks that are staggered across the film. So you’ll be watching lots of fun, cute things happening, you’ll hear a song or two, and then for five minutes mountains of information are dropped on you like a heavy snowfall. That pattern then repeats itself a few more times until the big third act reveals, which are even more complex than the rest of them.”
USA Today: “While a joyful noise is being made unto the fjord yeti again and the sisters still rule, ‘Frozen 2’ doesn’t have the same pizzazz as the original. The cold never bothered us anyway, but we definitely miss having the old chills.”