Disney CEO Bob Iger announced some new major installments to some of Disney’s most recognizable franchises earlier this February. Some have been in anticipation for years, and others seemingly have delightfully come out of nowhere. I wanted to look at these five upcoming films and make the judgment: are they gonna be worth the watch, or a waste of time?
Inside Out 2 – MUST WATCH
When creating a sequel for such an inspirational film as Inside Out, there are two ways to take it. You can move with the times alongside the original fanbase, or you can make the next installment appeal to the new younger generation so they can enjoy the film.
We really don’t know much beyond the few short trailers released, but we can see Riley will now be entering puberty and dealing with how quick things change once you turn that age. So, based on the premise, we see that Pixar has decided to grow up along with the kids that originally loved the film — my ten-year-old self being one of them. Now, being 18, I can continue to relate with Riley as she navigates through puberty. She also will be joined by some new emotions: Anxiety (who is voiced by Maya Hawke, which I couldn’t love more), Ennui (which is fancy talk for “boredom”), Embarrassment and Envy.
My only question is: wouldn’t Riley experience those emotions when she was 11, too? As an only child myself, I know I experienced boredom a LOT when I woke up before my parents did! However, maybe in Riley’s case the emotions are more intense now and have grown enough to deserve their own character. Either way, you’ll definitely see me in the theaters for this release.
Moana 2 – MUST WATCH
The world was (mostly) delighted and shocked when Disney released a few second teaser trailer for Moana 2. The Rock will be returning to continue his role as Maui, and Auli’i Cravalho will also be returning as the titular character.
Moana had a fantastic and secure ending, with the princess finding her place in her village and adding her contribution to the tower of stones that was built by previous leaders. I think, if done correctly, Disney could showcase how she has decided to take on her leadership role. Does she reintroduce the art of sailing to the village? How does she do so? And, with so many interesting Polynesian myths to explore, the possibilities are endless.
Zootopia 2 – (PROBABLY) MUST WATCH
I was thrilled when this was announced, but since there isn’t a lot of info about it yet, there really isn’t much to say. The first was a solid film with a solid ending, but it’s definitely one that left room for a sequel to shine. I really would love to see what Nick and Judy are up to now, but I think there is much caution to be had. The original plot was based around prey animals going savage. Following up after a plot as huge as that, I feel if Disney tries to bite off more than it can chew with this sequel, it will fail. For example, if another, bigger, even badder crime lord comes into town, trying to tear Zootopia down in the same way Bellwether did, that would be a movie I’m not interested in seeing.
However, something I would love to see is Nick and Judy traveling outside of Zootopia to tackle crime: it all really just depends on the direction they take it.
Toy Story 5 – WASTE OF TIME
I grew up with Toy Story, and I have always loved it. However, five films is honestly looking like just a cash grab. I, and many others, feel like the third movie was a perfect way to end the series. We followed a kid through his childhood, and now the toys are onto a new kid and the cycle continues. It’s a beautiful premise, but I really am not interested in following another kid through their early life with the toys. They are iconic and always will be, but I just don’t think another film is really needed.
As a standalone film, Toy Story 4 wasn’t terrible. I really enjoyed seeing Woody change his view about being a toy. Usually, he is a ride-or-die for his kid, always finding a way back to them. Having Woody leave Bonnie and be a ‘lost toy’ with Bo Peep to explore the world was a good way to end this film. For me, this film doesn’t intrigue me much. To be successful at all, I feel like Toy Story 5 needs to follow Bo and Woody in their new lives as lost toys. I think it would be a refreshing change to the usual approach to Toy Story films, which is usually just, “We somehow got lost and now we need to get back to Andy/Bonnie.” It’s starting to feel a little repetitive.
Frozen III – WASTE OF TIME
As a girl who has LOVED Frozen since it first came out, I’m apprehensive about a third installment. The last two movies were extremely solid and complemented each other well, deciding to follow the age of the original fanbase much as I predicted Inside Out will. Anna and Elsa felt like complete characters at the end of Frozen II, and much like Zootopia, if Disney tries to bite off more than they can chew, this film could flop just as easily as it could succeed.
Thinking about it more, I’m not quite sure where Disney is going to take this plot at all. At the end of the film, both girls are happy in the position they are in, Elsa looking after the forest and Anna ruling Arendale. That is my main concern- a plot that upturns the work that was done in the first two films.
Are you excited for these upcoming films? Let us know what you think in the comments!
