"Frozen II" has a mix of everything that made the original a success: themes of sisterhood, dashes of romance and comedy, fantasy/adventure elements and musical numbers. The songwriting team of wife-and-husband Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez and composer Christophe Beck were brought back to create the soundtrack that mimicked but didn't repeat that of Frozen. The greatest difficulty faced by writer/director Jennifer Lee and co-director Chris Buck was to tell a story that's new and interesting without regurgitating elements in the original. "Frozen II" opens where Frozen ended - Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel), having harnessed her magical abilities, rules over the peaceful and prosperous city of Arendelle. Her sister, Princess Anna (Kristen Bell), provides advice and support. Anna's beau, ice-cutter Kristof (Jonathan Groff) has decided to propose to Anna but, every tie he tries, he botches it. And snowman Olaf (Josh Gad), now immune to melting, provides on-going comic relief. Although all seems well, Arendelle is threatened by forces from within a mysterious enchanted forest. Accompanied by her sister and friends, Elsa must penetrate the mist that surrounds the woods, tame the forces of air, water, fire and earth and discover the dark secret that threatens the kingdom.
Visually, "Frozen II" boasts stunning, crystal-clear visuals, full of vibrant hues and fantastical scenes. Musically, it's surprising that there weren't more obvious callbacks to the first film's songs. The new material has no real standouts, but will probably become popular nonetheless. The returning quartet of actors, Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonatan Groff and Josh Gad, slide seamlessly back into their roles. In addition, Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Ciaran Hinds and Alfred Molina provide the voices for new characters. "Frozen II" is a worthy followup with enough heart, action and music to keep everyone entertained.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Marriage Story - 3 smiles
"Marriage Story," written and directed by Noah Baumbach, about a marriage that has fallen apart is hard to watch although the acting is superb. While many of the situations and emotions are universal, the main characters are not normal, average people. They are privileged and at times it's difficult to ignore the whiff of entitlement that permeates the production. While we can connect with the characters as fellow human beings enduring emotional trauma, it's difficult to feel for them on a deeper level. Although there are times when Adam Driver has an awkward moment or two, he is believable as a controlling narcissist who sees himself as the victim. And Johansson gives an extremely nuanced performance as a woman who loves the man she's leaving but can no longer stay in the cage she finds herself in.
When the movie begins, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are in the process of splitting up. The only time we are exposed to 'happier days' are during the two affecting monologues/montages that start the movie when Nicole and Charlie say what they appreciate about the other. The rest of the film focuses on the bitterness that develops as they move closer to their divorce. Nicole moves back to LA to restart her dormant career as a TV actress while theater director Charlie remains in New York. The couple's young son, Henry (Axhy Robertson), accompanies his mom and Charlie makes frequent cross-country trips to spend time with the boy. The split loses its amicability once lawyers become involved. After all, they are interested in two things: being paid and winning while their clients, more often than not, just want to move forward with as little pain as possible. Nicole chooses the no-nonsense Nora Fanshawe (Laura Dern). After initially selecting a shark (Ray Liotta), Charlie backs off and goes for the more grandfatherly (and less expensive) Bert Spilz (Alan Alda). "Marriage Story" has limited release in theaters, but its widespread availability on Netflix will provide greater audience exposure.
When the movie begins, Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) and Charlie (Adam Driver) are in the process of splitting up. The only time we are exposed to 'happier days' are during the two affecting monologues/montages that start the movie when Nicole and Charlie say what they appreciate about the other. The rest of the film focuses on the bitterness that develops as they move closer to their divorce. Nicole moves back to LA to restart her dormant career as a TV actress while theater director Charlie remains in New York. The couple's young son, Henry (Axhy Robertson), accompanies his mom and Charlie makes frequent cross-country trips to spend time with the boy. The split loses its amicability once lawyers become involved. After all, they are interested in two things: being paid and winning while their clients, more often than not, just want to move forward with as little pain as possible. Nicole chooses the no-nonsense Nora Fanshawe (Laura Dern). After initially selecting a shark (Ray Liotta), Charlie backs off and goes for the more grandfatherly (and less expensive) Bert Spilz (Alan Alda). "Marriage Story" has limited release in theaters, but its widespread availability on Netflix will provide greater audience exposure.
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