Winter is coming — and in some respects, it's already here.

Today sees the release of "Dolphin Tale 2," the sequel to the 2011 movie that introduced audiences to a dolphin named Winter, in need of a prosthetic tail. The sequel, once again starring Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman, offers up more of the same, according to critics: More wonders of nature, more heartwarming relationships between humans and animals, and more important messages for young moviegoers.

Here's what the reviews have to say about "Dolphin Tale 2":

The Story

"The first 'Dolphin Tale' (2011) concerned the efforts of a marine rescue team to create a prosthetic tail for Winter, a beached and rehabilitated bottle-nosed dolphin. The subject doesn’t cry out for a sequel, but in 'Dolphin Tale 2,' Winter’s tank companion dies, leaving Clearwater Marine Aquarium scrambling to find Winter a new playmate.

"Sawyer (Nathan Gamble), the first movie’s hero, has grown into a teenager and a full-fledged instructor at the aquarium. He’s offered a scholarship for a semester at sea, but he’s reluctant to leave Winter, who seems depressed and is at risk of being transferred. Sawyer and his friend Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), who now makes mini-documentaries, grapple with the ethics of releasing another convalesced dolphin, Mandy." — Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times

The Audience

"No one over age 10 will flip for this sequel to the 2011 hit 'Dolphin Tale.' But that doesn’t mean only kids will enjoy this gentle, moving family drama." — Graham Fuller, New York Daily News

The Message

"Earnest and educational seem to be key to what [writer/director Charles Martin] Smith ('American Graffiti's memorable Terry the Toad) is trying to accomplish. There’s even a brief cameo by Bethany Hamilton as herself, a respected surfer who lost an arm to a tiger shark. The message is clear that people who suffer adversity and dolphins like Winter, who lost her tail, are more than capable of rising above it." Bruce DeMara, The Toronto Star

The Ocean

"'Dolphin Tale 2' really hits its stride when it functions like an immersive visit to an aquarium. Dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans — they all look fantastic on the big screen, and the underwater photography is occasionally breathtaking. Bethany Hamilton, the professional surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack, is no professional actress, but the shots of her swimming with Winter are incredible, the dance of transformed bodies mesmerizing. It's worth wading through some sugary-sweet human drama, and the occasional wooden line delivery, for that intimate look at nature." — Barbara VanDenburgh, The Republic

The People

"While the wildlife material thrives on this kind of potent wholesomeness, the human stories suffer just a bit from a complete lack of teeth, incurring boredom on two or three occasions. Nevertheless, 'Dolphin Tale 2's heart is admirable and more often than not affective. Saywer and Hazel collect life lessons courtesy of their family, colleagues, aquatic friends, and an occasional Morgan Freeman speech (he’s got a doozy involving a pocket watch metaphor), all to the thematic end of growing up. Founding itself on the values of seizing responsibility and setting sail out into the world, the saccharine, sleepy sequel could actually be a pretty valuable experience for young viewers." — Michael Arbeiter, Hollywood.com

The Final Word

"Blissfully swimming against the hyperactive kidpic tide, 'Dolphin Tale 2' gently peddles inspirational life lessons while respecting both its characters and its audience. Arriving three years after its surprise hit predecessor, this sequel about the unbreakable bonds between a boy and his dolphin remains too square and earnest to appeal beyond families and animal lovers. Nevertheless, writer-director Charles Martin Smith hits the sweet spot for that target audience once again, and in the process delivers a more streamlined storyline and ever so slightly darker shadings to further justify the follow-up." — Geoff Berkshire, Variety

"Dolphin Tale 2" is in theaters now.