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‘Frozen II,’ is a major success in the Box Office and Billboard Charts

Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, Olaf and the other denizens of Arendelle return to the silver screen in Frozen II. Image by BoxOfficeDetail

By Emma Ralls

A & E Editor

After six years, Disney has released the sequel to one of the highest grossing animated films it has ever released. “Frozen II” hit theaters Nov. 22, 2019 and since then has officially became the highest grossing animated film in history.

According to Variety, the film has secured the third most profitable movie spot of 2019 by earning $1.325 billion, following the “Lion King” remake which earned 1.65 million and “Avengers: Endgame” which made a total of $2.79 billion. While the “Lion King” remake is animated, Disney classifies it as live action because it was solely computer generated, allowing “Frozen II” to take the highest grossing animated film spot.

The story takes place three years after the original movie. Arendelle has fallen back into routine after the frosty events of the first film. Elsa has settled into the role of Queen, although she feels an ominous emptiness. Continuously haunted by an unknown voice, she decides she must venture into the enchanted forest to discover why this siren call will not leave her alone.

Like in the previous film, younger sister Anna will not let her sister go off on her own again. Olaf, the snowman brought to life by Elsa’s powers, Sven the reindeer, and Kristoff join then as well on their adventure.

Kristoff is wrestling with his own inner turmoil. He desperately wants to propose to Anna, but he cannot find the right time. He also grows insecure that maybe he is not good enough for Anna as time progresses. In an interview with Collider, Justin Groff, Kristoff ’s voice actor, was asked about his character’s struggle with love.

Groff stated “Normally the girl is pining after the man, and the man leaves, and then she sings an emotional song. This is the reverse, where Kristoff is struggling with how to communicate to the woman he loves. Then she goes off on an adventure without him, and he’s left alone to sing about his feelings. So very cleverly, the filmmakers have reversed that in this movie.”

On their journey, secrets are unearthed and threaten the very existence of Arendelle. It is a story of self-discovery, growing up and understanding that while it might not be easy, it is necessary to move on from the past.

“The Frozen II” soundtrack is also something garnishing praise. Boasting 11 songs, three of which are songs from the movie covered by famous singers and bands including Panic! At the Disco, Kacey Musgraves and Weezer. The same creative team as the first, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, were brought on again as well as the album has additional samples from the score by Christophe Beck.

Some notable songs from the sound track include “Something’s Never change,” which is a warm invitation to the story that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the hour and 43 minute duration, Anna’s (Kristen Bell) heart-wrenching “The Next Right Thing.”

When asked about the song, Bell said in an interview, “I really want a song about what she’s going to do when she doesn’t know what to do. That turned into something much more profound for our songwriters.”

Fans have deemed “Frozen II’s” “Into The Unknown” as a spiritual successor to “Let It Go,” the original’s “Frozen” break out song. Elsa (Idnia Menzel) sings about trying to resist the mysterious voice beckoning her away from her life in Arendelle. Elsa also has a beautiful ballad called “Show Yourself.”

The song features the vocals of Evan Rachel Wood who plays Queen Iduna, and focuses on themes of self-discovery and acceptance.

Another fan favorite song is Kristoff ’s ( Justin Groff ) 80’s style dream love ballad, with animated reindeer back up singers that almost steal the show. Titled “Lost in the Woods,” it explores his insecurities about his self worth and relationship with Anna.

The soundtrack has reached the no. 1 spot on the Billboard top 200 albums. Nine weeks after the movie came out, it’s residing at spot number eight. While the movie itself might have been snubbed at the Oscars, not getting the anticipated best animated feature nomination, “Into the Unknown” was nominated for best original song.

Frozen two will be released on DVD on Feb. 25 and digital release is on Feb. 11. There is no word yet when “Frozen II” will make its appearance on Disney Plus.