I agree that it was a disappointing attempt at continuing the same level of fun entertainment, as the 1st one. I, too, was let down by the flat character replacements and lack of stimulating story line. It could have been soooo much better, as it was rich material to be working with. Hopefully the creators will follow the 1st one's template, should they consider making yet another 1.
BJMJune 16, 2024
I strongly disagree. The reviewer here completely misses the mark (and, apparently, several plot points) with this film.
It’s simply inaccurate to say that Riley faces no consequences for her actions. She is punished on the ice, damages friendships, and loses some of her sense of self/feels guilt for going against her core beliefs (spoiler alert: she returns to her core beliefs at the end after acknowledging the wrongfulness of her actions and apologizing for them).
The truth is, anyone living in the real world faces challenges to their core beliefs at different stages of their lives. We all have to constantly re-assess them when faced with new challenges and information. That’s even true of faith—if it stays the same, it stagnates and dies. We have to constantly be striving to grow and expand it, which means making room for new revelation and information.
One of the other key messages here was to acknowledge your self-worth and value regardless of your circumstances and changes in your life. That is completely in line with the teachings of the church and the belief that each of us is a beloved and valued child of heavenly parents, and that the Savior loved us enough to lay down his life for us.
Also, as one who has dealt with actual anxiety and panic attacks, this film’s portrayal of both ring completely true. As my own daughter said, it was absolutely relatable. The fact that this reviewer has not experienced full-blown anxiety and panic attacks prevents him from understanding the impact of that portrayal—including how anxiety can completely take over and change one’s sense of self. To those who have dealt with such things, this movie sends a clear message that you are not alone and can get help, which is a critically important message for so many of us.
Christopher CunninghamJune 15, 2024
If Riley repented, the film took no effort to show the audience.
Yes her behavior changes in the last moments of the climax, but only because a different inner self was installed for her to be true to. She didn’t change because it was the right thing to do. And as the denouement showed, choosing the right is not the priority, being true to yourself is, even if that means continuing to live in sin. That is certainly a message some brands of therapists try to sell their clients, and perhaps this movie will aid them in doing so, but for the sake of healthy kids I hope they see through it.
Jonathan DeckerJune 15, 2024
I could not disagree more. This film does justice to the first and conveys an important message that is aligned with the Gospel. There are PLENTY of negative consequences for Riley's behavior, they're just largely inside of herself as she feels the weight of going against her core values.
Learning to love herself instead of being trapped in shame and self-loathing frees her up to feel healthy guilt instead, leading her to take accountability for her actions, make amends with the people she's hurt, and change the behaviors. This is the very essence of repentance.
Paul talked about godly sorrow leading to repentance and the sorrow of the world leading to death (2 Corinthians 7:10). The sorrow of the world is what Riley feels for most of the movie: afraid, anxious, and full of self-loathing. The climax of the film finds her changing to a place of self-love, accepting herself and working on improving her behaviors without self-hatred.
"Love your neighbor as yourself," Christ said. The hidden command their is to love ourselves. This movie brilliantly demonstrates self-love, accountability, and changed behavior. It can open up conversations about loving ourselves because God loves us, loving ourselves because we are children of God, and repenting because we want to be good to ourselves, not because we hate ourselves.
All due respect, the movie didn't miss the mark. The reviewer missed the movie.
Anti-WokeJune 13, 2024
What else can you expect from woke corporations like Disney? They are not in business to entertain. They are in business to indoctrinate. They are losing money at a high rate of speed.
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Colleen ShieldsJune 19, 2024
I agree that it was a disappointing attempt at continuing the same level of fun entertainment, as the 1st one. I, too, was let down by the flat character replacements and lack of stimulating story line. It could have been soooo much better, as it was rich material to be working with. Hopefully the creators will follow the 1st one's template, should they consider making yet another 1.
BJMJune 16, 2024
I strongly disagree. The reviewer here completely misses the mark (and, apparently, several plot points) with this film. It’s simply inaccurate to say that Riley faces no consequences for her actions. She is punished on the ice, damages friendships, and loses some of her sense of self/feels guilt for going against her core beliefs (spoiler alert: she returns to her core beliefs at the end after acknowledging the wrongfulness of her actions and apologizing for them). The truth is, anyone living in the real world faces challenges to their core beliefs at different stages of their lives. We all have to constantly re-assess them when faced with new challenges and information. That’s even true of faith—if it stays the same, it stagnates and dies. We have to constantly be striving to grow and expand it, which means making room for new revelation and information. One of the other key messages here was to acknowledge your self-worth and value regardless of your circumstances and changes in your life. That is completely in line with the teachings of the church and the belief that each of us is a beloved and valued child of heavenly parents, and that the Savior loved us enough to lay down his life for us. Also, as one who has dealt with actual anxiety and panic attacks, this film’s portrayal of both ring completely true. As my own daughter said, it was absolutely relatable. The fact that this reviewer has not experienced full-blown anxiety and panic attacks prevents him from understanding the impact of that portrayal—including how anxiety can completely take over and change one’s sense of self. To those who have dealt with such things, this movie sends a clear message that you are not alone and can get help, which is a critically important message for so many of us.
Christopher CunninghamJune 15, 2024
If Riley repented, the film took no effort to show the audience. Yes her behavior changes in the last moments of the climax, but only because a different inner self was installed for her to be true to. She didn’t change because it was the right thing to do. And as the denouement showed, choosing the right is not the priority, being true to yourself is, even if that means continuing to live in sin. That is certainly a message some brands of therapists try to sell their clients, and perhaps this movie will aid them in doing so, but for the sake of healthy kids I hope they see through it.
Jonathan DeckerJune 15, 2024
I could not disagree more. This film does justice to the first and conveys an important message that is aligned with the Gospel. There are PLENTY of negative consequences for Riley's behavior, they're just largely inside of herself as she feels the weight of going against her core values. Learning to love herself instead of being trapped in shame and self-loathing frees her up to feel healthy guilt instead, leading her to take accountability for her actions, make amends with the people she's hurt, and change the behaviors. This is the very essence of repentance. Paul talked about godly sorrow leading to repentance and the sorrow of the world leading to death (2 Corinthians 7:10). The sorrow of the world is what Riley feels for most of the movie: afraid, anxious, and full of self-loathing. The climax of the film finds her changing to a place of self-love, accepting herself and working on improving her behaviors without self-hatred. "Love your neighbor as yourself," Christ said. The hidden command their is to love ourselves. This movie brilliantly demonstrates self-love, accountability, and changed behavior. It can open up conversations about loving ourselves because God loves us, loving ourselves because we are children of God, and repenting because we want to be good to ourselves, not because we hate ourselves. All due respect, the movie didn't miss the mark. The reviewer missed the movie.
Anti-WokeJune 13, 2024
What else can you expect from woke corporations like Disney? They are not in business to entertain. They are in business to indoctrinate. They are losing money at a high rate of speed.
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