Frozen II may not have as many critics' seals of approval as its predecessor, but it was an engaging film with something new to Disney princess stories: the wholesome boyfriend. To be fair, Kristoff already proved he was different in the first movie when he asked for Anna's permission before kissing her, but in the sequel he solidified this new type of hero that is hopefully here to stay.
That doesn't mean that Kristoff is perfect by any means. Anna's bumbling beau has made plenty of missteps along the way in his romance, and even upheld an outdated trope or two along the way.
Best: He Was There For Anna
Too many films are made where the hero only shows up to rescue the damsel and profess his love at the end or, even worse, abandon the heroine in times of need to create tension they will eventually resolve. Most of these are not portrayed in a healthy light for any relationship, which is why the fact that Kristoff is almost always there for Anna is so refreshing.
In the first film, he works to help her find her sister. Then he leaves her to her true love, ultimately returning when he realizes his feelings for her.
Not The Best: He Nearly Abandoned Her
Kristoff isn't 100% there for Anna, though. In the first Frozen film, he nearly abandoned her to the frigid wilderness when she annoyed him, with Sven reminding him that Anna would die if they left her to her own devices in the mountains. He also didn't seem to mind until Sven reminded him that they wouldn't get a new sled if she perished.
While he was likely joking about this out of his frustration, it wasn't a very appropriate joke for a kids' film, especially when the kids small enough to wear Anna and Elsa dresses likely don't understand the sarcasm in the first place. It makes it seem as if both of the guys Anna falls for don't care if she dies.
Best: He Asked For Consent To Kiss
It's rare for someone to ask for consent before kissing, even in Disney movies. Some Disney kisses are even completed while the woman being kissed is unconscious! One of the most refreshing moments in Disney history occurred not only when it was sibling love, and not romantic love, that saved Anna, but also when she finally did get her first kiss, her beau actually asked her permission first.
It was a swoon-worthy moment that set a precedent that modern movie makers will hopefully continue to follow, since it wasn't only respectful and appropriate, but also quite sweet.
Not The Best: He Called Her Crazy
One of the worst tropes that Kristoff feeds into is the whole "women be crazy" line of thought. It's something anyone could think about a person who wants to marry the first man they meet, but it's also an overused stereotype men use to describe women too often, and it didn't look good on this otherwise wholesome hero.
Kristoff's come a long way since the first film, however, and he even made it a point to say, "My love isn't fragile," which was a nod to fragile masculinity and the clear line between toxic and positive masculinity.
Best: He Wanted To Make The Proposal Important
The way Kristoff agonized over his proposal, even going as far to make a whole reindeer-oriented gesture with his new Northuldra friend, was absolutely adorable. It was clear that he wanted to make it important and to not mess it up, but he stuck his foot in his mouth a few times. Some said that Anna was too sensitive about these instances but in reality they only pointed toward her own anxiety, which matched his own.
It really is too bad that Anna will never witness the grand gesture her fiance made toward Yelana.
Best: He's In Tune With His Feelings (And Not Shy About It)
One of Kristoff's most beloved traits is how in tune with his feelings he is, something that parents of little boys are largely thrilled about after seeing so many films where the opposite occurs. Kristoff not only speaks aloud about his feelings often, seeking the counsel of his best friend, a reindeer who simply looks at him adoringly as Kristoff provides his own answers in a Sven-voice, but he even sings an REO Speedwagon-style ballad about his emotions.
Kristoff also makes the point that his love "isn't fragile," something that made women in the audience swoon while making men in the audience finally feel validated by a multi-layered prince figure.
Best: He Cares For Anna's Family
Anna and Kristoff's relationship has been praised not only because it's not the central plot of their story and because they have their own character arcs, but because Kristoff also obviously cares about Anna's sister. In fact, in the first film he revered ice so much that people predicted he'd be Elsa's beau at first, but it quickly became clear that it was simply another reason why he'd accept Anna's sister.
The three play charades with one another. At the end of Frozen 2, Kristoff is relieved Elsa is safe and hugs her, much like a brother would. It's a refreshing change to have a main character's boyfriend be there for both her and her sister.
Best: He Always Does His Best
After calling Anna "crazy," followed by "naive," Kristoff amends his statements and quickly attempts to remedy his gaffes with the right words. It's a struggle for him, which is understandable since he's mainly been around ice, a reindeer, and a bunch of trolls for most of his life, but he always does the best he can with what he's got to work with.
Unlike many Disney princes that are either one-dimensional or have zero self-awareness, Kristoff is constantly striving to be a better person and partner, ultimately proving himself one to audiences and to Anna, who accepts his proposal.
Best: He Dressed Up For Her Coronation
One of the most adorable scenes of the sequel film occurred at the end when Kristoff, along with Sven and Olaf, dressed to the nines for Anna's coronation. Audiences pretty much swooned over his fancy getup as well as Anna's retort about preferring him in leather. It was a reversal of one a pretty typically icky trope where one person in a relationship changes their appearance for another, because Anna says she prefers Kristoff as he prefers himself.
His wardrobe choices demonstrated how much he respected her special day, while audiences were left wondering why Elsa skipped this momentous occasion for her sister.
Not The Best: He's Got Some Issues
Who doesn't have issues? Still, Kristoff's are a little weird, from the fact that he sleeps with (and talks to) a reindeer to his lack of an origin story. Prior to being adopted by his troll family of "love experts," just who did Kristoff belong to, and how did he get involved in the ice trade at such a young age? And what is this relationship with reindeer that goes outside "nature's laws" that his family sings about?
Kristoff obviously lacks relationship experience and has trouble communicating, two things he has in common with his girlfriend. Hopefully they will be able to muddle through it together, but they might need a little help now and then from Anna's new moss-covered in-laws.