Stream it or skip it: Into the Unknown
Disney+ is churning out so much original content! Scripted shows, reality competitions, shorts, documentaries, feature films, with dozens of other projects in development. I know how easy it is to get overwhelmed while scrolling through the seemingly endless home page of content. So in this series, I’ll be breaking down Disney+ originals to help you decide: Should I stream it, or skip it?
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II: Stream it, or Skip it
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II | © Disney
Type of Content: Docuseries
Number of Episodes: Six
Runtime: 40 minutes per episode
The Gist Of It: When Frozen premiered in 2013, it became a worldwide phenomenon overnight. Now, with less than 12 months until Frozen II’s premiere, this docuseries uncovers nearly every element of the film-making process, from the animation to the voice acting to the songwriting, with directors Jennifer Lee and Christopher Buck trying to keep it all afloat.
Target Age: All ages, may bore your littlest ones
The beloved voice cast of Frozen II serenades the crowds at D23 | © Disney
Our Take: Disney behind the scenes content (including many of the Disney+ originals) typically has a very rosy exterior. Smiling directors and actors gushing about how wonderful the project is, how it’s been a dream to work on, etc. Rarely do we get a real honest look at how a movie, let alone an animated movie of this scale, is made. But Into the Unknown throws us right into the heart of the process, and doesn’t shy away from the growing pains of it all. There are scenes where the creative heads of the film have to sit and listen to their colleagues rip apart the film after a test screening, animators frustratingly read the list of cut shots that took them weeks to create, composers become irritable at the idea of ‘just writing Let it Go again.’ These are some of the most fascinating and interesting moments in the film. Where Disney can be criticized for glossy overproduction, this docuseries feels more real than any ‘real-life’ content they’ve produced. And this all goes without mentioning the beautiful animation process we get to experience, the fun moments we get with the beloved voice actors, and how we truly get a comprehensive look at how Disney films get made.
(L to R) Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez | © Disney
The High Point: The spotlights on smaller behind the scenes creators, like the young animators and chorus singers.
The Low Point: Wow, they really didn’t have a clear story until about three months to the premiere, did they?
Our Verdict: Stream it