Frozen II is a no-brainer. Of course it will be a hit! The story and the songs are new but the characters that fascinated girls (and boys too) in the 2013 original Frozen are back.

In F-II, Elsa (Idina Menzel), the fair-haired sister with the magical powers, is lured by voices to an enchanted forest. Yes, it’s a quest!

Accompanying her on her mission is her ginger sister Anna (Kristen Bell), the sister who has no magical powers but has a boyfriend. Also along for the ride are Olaf the snowman (Josh Gad), Anna’s boyfriend Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and a reindeer named Sven.

In the enchanted forest, several characters are introduced who don’t have the Scandinavian look of Elsa and Anna. Among them are a soldier of African descent voiced by St. Louis native Sterling K. Brown and several members of the “Northuldra” tribe who may represent Native Americans.

Quick Q and A:

Is the music as good as in the first Frozen? Yes, but there is not a standout song that has that “instant earworm” charm of Let It Go.

Is the animation as good as in the first one? Better!

How’s the story? It might not resonate with the very young viewer but there’s just enough conflict and peril to keep most viewers engaged. And, of course, some Elsa magic!

Is Elsa gay? No. She has other things on her plate right now. (Seems like a silly thing to promote or worry about.)

Will this be one that kids watch over and over on home video screens? Yes, but the sourcing may be different. Will it be available first on the new Disney+ streaming channel? Or will Disney stick with DVDs and straight digital downloads? TBD.

Will the world have to wait 6 years for Frozen III? Probably, but with a “straight to video” product or two in the interim.

Will Frozen II outgross the first Frozen at the box office? It could. But that would be a mighty feat. The 2013 Frozen became the highest grossing animated film in history but was dethroned by last summer’s Lion King reboot (which was technically animated although it had that live action look.)

How long is it? Right about 90 minutes before the end credits. Unless your young guests are particularly restless, stick around for cover versions of Frozen II songs (as the credits roll) by Panic! At The Disco, Kacey Musgraves and Weezer. Yes, Weezer.