Double Review: Frozen 2 & Klaus

Two animated movies that take place in a winter wonderland. One is a juggernaut that is taking the world by storm, the other is an underdog looking to brave the storm.

Olaf is ok, a little annoying, but you can tell Josh Gad is having fun with the role. 

When the kingdom of Arendelle faces destruction from the elemental spirits, Anna (Kristen Bell), Elsa (Idina Menzel), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) journey to the mysterious misty forest that hold answers of what they seek. The origin of Elsa's powers, the voice that only Elsa hears, what happened to Anna and Elsa's parents the night they left, and why the spirits are acting hostile.

Meeting Mattias (Sterling K. Brown)

I found the first Frozen movie overrated. I liked the ideas it presented but never evolve outside of just being ideas. The characters are likable even if they are bland. The songs while memorable some are ear-grating while others are contextually out-of-place. Watching Frozen II reminded me of those direct-to-video Barbie movies from the early 2000's. It hits all the check marks for its target audience. More than one females protagonist, males are mostly comic-relief, magical powers, magical horses, cute sidekicks, and musical numbers, a bit of a love story, etc. Now add the elemental and visual wonder of Avatar: The Last Airbender to lure in audiences and presto! You have Frozen II.

Magic horse. Check. 

Like the first film, the movie has interesting ideas that are presented but don't do anything with them. The only one that comes close is Anna, an ordinary person who has no powers confronts the magical danger head on. Elsa is like Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony:The Movie, a character shown to have potential only to be a wet blanket in this movie. Kristoff's only character trait is him trying to propose to Anna and written out until the climax remembers him. You are not Will Turner where can propose even in mortal peril. (Not to mention having the worst song of the movie). New characters include the native Northuldra tribe lead by Yelana (Martha Plimpton) and Arendelle soldiers lead by Mattias (Sterling K. Brown) who have been trapped in the forest for years. It's a waste of talent as they don't leave much of an impression only that they took part in a past event that lead to the elemental attack. Both groups are written out after their introduction until the climax which only the soldiers participate, the Northuldra despite possessing wisdom and knowledge of the forest don't even return for at least moral support until the ending when it's all over. Also, is it weird to say that Kristoff had more chemistry with a Northuldra reindeer herder (Jason Ritter of Gravity Falls)?

The Northuldra.: (Left to Right)
Honeymaren (Rachel Mathhews), Ryder (Jason Ritter) ,
 & Yelena (Martha Plimpton). 

Where Frozen over-saturated the twist villain plot device, (which thankfully isn't shown here) Frozen II features a troupe that I will try to be vague about it but it's frequently appeared in recent movies that Disney's released. If it appears more often, how long will it take for that troupe to overstay its welcome.

Frozen II is more of the same as the first film but with less memorable songs. On a final note I found it weird that Frozen and Maleficent were strikingly similar, having been released a year from each other. Both have betrayal from a supposed lover, the entrapment of a powerful figure, an insignificant love interest, and true love twist. Frozen II and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (I still think that's an awful title) feature a conflict between two kingdoms (one a royal capital and the other of a tribal magical-folk), treachery and sabotage on the royal side, a chosen one story-line handpicked by nature, the love interest is sidelined, and a climax that has a character making a dramatic entrance (to say the least). This can't be a coincidence. Can it? Did I mention that both films came out this year within a couple of months of each other?

Final Verdict: C-

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Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) arriving in Smeerenburg.

If you wish to see a movie that takes place in a snowy setting, I recommend Klaus, instead. Taking the route of films like Rise of the Guardians and Arthur Christmas, on giving a unique take on the Santa mythos.

Mr. Ellingboe (Will Sasso) and Mrs. Krum (Joan Cusack) with their
two children (Sergio Pablos) exchanging blows. 

Having no ambition of being a postman like his father and would rather bathe in the family riches, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is sent to to the snowy village of Smeerenburg where he must deliver 6,000 letters in a year, or lose his cut of the family's finances. The task proves to be more daunting as it is home to the feuding Krums and Ellingboes where the only things delivered are blows to the head and gunshots. And that's on a nice day.

Sleigh ride with Klaus (J.K. Simmons) 

Having no luck or a roof, Jesper is ready to call it quits until he meets Klaus (J. K. Simmons) a stoic woodsman living outside the village with a talent for toy-making. A plan is formed to brighten the days of the miserable Smeerenburg children that involve letters, toys, a sleigh and an after-hour delivery service.

The movie marks the directorial debut of Sergio Pablos, a Spanish artist who worked as an animator on various Disney films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, A Goofy Movie and Treasure Planet and wrote the stories that created Despicable Me and Smallfoot. The idea for Klaus came from seeing how Dracula, Hannibal Lecter and Jason were getting origin stories, so why not Santa? The hardest part was getting the movie released as it was rejected by many studios who saw it as too risky, as if who would pay money to see this movie? Leave it to Netflix to pick up the project and making it their first original animated movie. 

Talking with Margu (Neda Margrethe Labba).  

Klaus is a delightful Christmas tale with some of the most gorgeous animation by combining hand-drawn and CGI lighting to give it a story-book design. Schwartzman as the selfish Jesper does a terrific job that called to mind David Spade's performance in The Emperor's New Groove. You enjoy this character whether he's being a jerk, getting his just desserts, seeing him grow gradually, going from one mishap to another, and when realizing his mistakes. Simmons joins the Santa list as Kluas who at first has nothing to say but slowly warms up to Jesper on being best buddies showing his jolly side and a bit of his back-story. It's through their act of kindness even if it wasn't intentional at first, that starts the chain reaction in Smeerenburg, including Alva, a school teacher (Rashida Jones) who like Jesper was ready to call it quits in this violent village.

Finding another alternative of travel. 

Adding the humor and delight is the delivery of toys and how it leads into the legend of Santa Claus with that childlike wonder even in the hardest of hearts. From the sleigh, reindeer and the helpers who assist with the toy-making.

A moment with Alva (Rashida Jones). 

The romance that blooms between Jesper and Alva, while has a nice conclusion, it felt rather rushed especially after the way they were introduced and now all of a sudden, the story has them try to get along. The movie also follows the liar revealed cliche and really hammers it in. There is forgiveness but like the romance it's also rushed. Then comes the climax and comeuppance of the villains that works well on paper, it just needed a little more polish on execution, but points on delivering a small pay-off.

Even with those flaws, Klaus is a movie that shows that kindnesses can emerge and spread from any place and can continue to glow in years to come.

Jesper and Klaus watching what makes their task worth it. 

Final Verdict: B+