With its wonderful songs, spectacular animation, heartwarming story and fast-paced action, this family- friendly offering ranks right up there with Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid in the Disney pantheon.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” fairy tale, Disney’s Frozen concerns the bond between two sisters from the Arendelle royal family. Although Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) and her younger sibling Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) love each other, fate has dealt them quite a blow. It seems the regal Princess Elsa, heir to the throne, has the power to turn everything she touches into ice and snow. And when the two youngsters were playing one day, she actually hurt Anna, so she has kept her distance from her sister for many years.

This upsets Anna, but being an eternal optimist, she tries to make the best of it. Unfortunately, Elsa loses control during her coronation day and turns all of Arendelle into an eternal winter. Feeling guilty, she runs as far away as she can – with Anna, a helpful friend Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff), and a very funny snowman named Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad) rushing through dangerous icy terrain to find her.

Among the many priceless moments in Frozen, highlights include: Anna’s playful blending into famous paintings while singing about her engagement to Hans (voiced by Santino Fontana); Elsa belting out “Let It Go” as she creates a stunning ice castle of her own; a giant snow monster chasing Anna and crew; and Olaf’s amusing recovery after every accident.

Outstanding art direction, musical score, production design, and visual effects all come together to draw viewers into Anna and Elsa’s wintry world. Happily, co-directors Chris Buck (Tarzan) and Jennifer Lee manage to build suspense without neglecting the heart of this touching story (screenplay also by Lee). I know personally about the power of sisterly love -- and Frozen reminds me how lucky I am to have a sister who knows all my faults and loves me just the same.        

(Released by Walt Disney Pictures and rated “PG” by MPAA.)

Review also posted at ReelTalk Movie Reviews.