It looks like Disney just couldn’t “Let it Go” when it came to the wonder of their blockbuster hit Frozen in 2013. Now six years later, Disney has returned with Frozen 2, one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, which slid into theatres on November 22. Every kid between the ages of two and ten is ready for some new material to drive their parents insane with until the next film installment.

While the original picture was a light and airy adventure about acceptance, the sequel proves to be just a tad more mature in that it deals with not only accepting what makes someone different but having pride in it. The first movie centered around Elsa’s (Idina Menzel) fear toward her powers, and the loneliness that came from isolating herself from Anna (Kristen Bell) because of them. Frozen 2 deals with the aftermath of Elsa owning up to her abilities, but now, she is searching for the origin of her icy magic. There are a few darker elements the movie presents that some may claim to be unsuitable for young children, supplying some delicious irony that we’ll get into in a minute.

The film begins with a flashback to Elsa and Anna’s childhood when their parents were still alive (cue the sympathetic ‘Aws’). Their father tells them a story of the brutal war that occurred in an enchanted forest between their kingdom, Arendelle, and the Northuldra tribe, the clan that lives in the woods. A mist settled among the forest that has trapped the lost soldiers and natives inside for nearly thirty years. To ease the tension, the girls’ mother sings them a lullaby about the forest’s magic. Flash forward to the present day, and Elsa still hears the song in her head as an adult after the passing of both her mother and father. A mysterious voice calls to her to join it, and this is where we get yet another iconic song that rivals the first movie’s “Let it Go” anthem.

Menzel, biggest vocal powerhouse in this film, belts out “Into the Unknown,” and man, 2013 Elsa is shaking. The song tells of the ice queen’s internal struggles between keeping her powers at bay and venturing out into the outside world to find out where they came from. After fighting herself for a melodious three minutes, the voice joins in, making the song a duet as Elsa is led to a balcony overlooking the enchanted woods. Anna isn’t far behind and convinces her sister to return inside where it’s safe, which summarizes her main role throughout the film. Unbeknown to the sisters, Elsa’s song accidentally awakens elemental spirits that inhabit the forest. They wreak havoc on the kingdom, forcing the civilians to evacuate Arendelle. The girls, Anna’s boyfriend, Kristoff (Johnathan Groff), his reindeer Sven (Johnathan Groff, but huskier), and Olaf (Josh Gad) embark on a journey to figure out what the spirits want with Elsa and what answers they hold to her past.

Amidst the drama, there are many comedic moments scattered throughout the storyline. One of the most prominent is Olaf’s existential crisis. Trust me, it’s adorable. Olaf is plagued with pondering what it means to be alive and grow up, which is some heavy stuff to put on someone made of sticks and a carrot. He has most of the funny scenes in the movie, including one where he recaps all the events in the first film by imitating the characters. There is also a subplot where Kristoff tries proposing to Anna countless times, which turns into a running gag as she is too preoccupied with her sister’s quest to notice every time he pulls out a ring. Spoiler alert: if you love 80’s rock ballads about heartbreak, you’ll be very pleased with Kristoff’s solo song. In fact, this may or may not become every parent’s favorite part. Kristen Bell brings the heart with Anna’s relentless bravery and overprotection of her loved ones (bring tissues… you’ll need them). And there are several gorgeous animations in the film of the landscaping, from the bright orange woods to the snowy terrain. There’s even a horse made entirely of water that emerges from the oceans. If that’s not enough to convince you to see this movie, then I don’t know what is.

The main critique I see from most reviewers and fans is how much more mature Frozen 2 is than the original, perhaps making it a bit too grown for young children. While I do agree that the film touches on some deeper topics, such as loss, grief, sacrifice, and even colonization (remember the whole war in the forest between its native tribe and the mostly white kingdom…), this is what made the movie a winner among those who grew up with the first Frozen. All of the fans who were kids when the first movie came out are more mature, and maybe even teenagers now. The fact that Disney matured the franchise along with its previous audience is impressive, all while still being a light-hearted showing that children can still enjoy.

Frozen 2 has already been making waves in its first weekend in theaters, bringing in around $127 million in the US alone from November 22 to 24. According to CNN, this is the highest-grossing debut for Walt Disney Animation Studios ever.  So whether your younger siblings or kids are forcing you to take them to the movies for their daily dose of Olaf, or you’re going alone to indulge in your secret love of all things Disney, Frozen 2 is by far one of Disney’s few sequels that is as great, if not better, than its prequel.

Frozen Trailer