By HaeMee Lee, Editor-in-Chief
“Let it go, let it go.” Wait – not just yet. Idina Menzel, the voice of Queen Elsa in the hit Disney film Frozen (2013), stated in a recent interview that a Frozen sequel is in the making. Although Menzel later took back her statement, Disney never confirmed nor denied the sequel. Rumors of the short sequel titled Frozen Fever claim that it is to be released sometime in 2015.
How would the sequel compare? Disney almost never succeeds with princess film sequels (eg. Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, Cinderella II: Dreams Come True, Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World), as these films feed eager viewers with dull, futile plots, but only the original films matter, right?
Disney would make the safe decision to create a short Frozen sequel, just as Disney created the short and sweet sequel, Tangled Ever After (2012), of another hit Disney film Tangled (2010). Since Frozen left many questions unanswered, like “When are Anna and Kristoff getting married?” or “How’s life in Arundel?,” there’s very little room for mistakes in this sequel.
According to Forbes, the sequel “will take place during Anna’s birthday and will involve an attempt by Elsa and Kristoff to give Anna the best birthday celebration ever.” It is predicted that this film would be a success, and, really, all things Frozen have been very successful – Frozen merchandise and books, the hit soundtrack featuring “Let It Go” and “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman,” a collaboration with the ABC show Once Upon a Time for its fourth season, Frozen Disney on Ice and Broadway shows, and a Frozen attraction at Disneyland.
The film, based on Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale “The Snow Queen,” follows Princess Anna’s journey to save her kingdom from her sister Elsa’s frozen curse with the help of a snowman, mountain man, and reindeer. Since its November 2013 release, Frozen has grossed over $1 billion. The last film to gross this much was The Avengers (2012). So, how did Disney do it? What’s the source of Frozen’s success?
Despite plot similarities to the past Disney/Pixar movies Tangled (2010) and Brave (2012), Frozen’s plot stood out with a flawed Disney princess, who is born with a secret superpower that she can’t control. People who watched the movie were able to relate to Elsa’s journey of isolation, discovering herself, and finally acceptance. The movie also strays from the stereotypical princess who always gets her prince with a true love’s kiss. *Spoiler* Princess Anna’s prince is just using her to gain power and even attempts to kill her, while the true love’s kiss to save Princess Anna would come from her sister, Queen Elsa.
Frozen’s success with its catchy songs, unique plot, and relatable characters can be attributed to its appeal to a wide audience that, besides young children, includes teenagers and even adults. Maybe Disney can draw in the large audience again with a sequel.