While the first Max Heart movie is perfectly passable as a children's film, Max Heart 2 is all-around better in every way. Right off the bat, it's quite obvious that the budget for the second film was much bigger; fight scenes are longer, more dramatic, and more frequent, and the overall polish and look of the film is much greater.

While the two films do have a great deal in common in basic plot structure (both involve a fight between Nagisa and Honoka, both involve a disrupted balance in the world), I much prefer Max Heart's 2 take. While the five fairies of the first film were rather cute, there's far too much going on in the lore of the first film, and it really distracts from the character dynamics. I also am not very fond of the plot revolving around the queen's Super Special Diamonds; while I don't think there was any tie-in merchandise with real diamonds (that would be crazy, lol), it does almost make the film feel like it's trying to get young girls to buy diamonds.

On the other hand, the second film is virtually devoid of this kind of commercialized feeling. Beyond Hinata's extra cute marketable plushie appearance, Max Heart 2 focuses most of its visuals quietly appreciating nature. This is reflected in the plot as well; its use of myth and elemental imagery as a basis for its simple story, allows for the film to spend much more time on quiet moments and character development.

I was immediately impressed by the way these themes wove themselves into the story, without much need at all for exposition. Hikari and Hinata are immediately put into parallel to one another. Both reincarnations, they struggle to realize their full potential, and immediately see themself in one another. I admittedly wish we got a bit more time with Hinata and Hikari before the plot takes off, but the few scenes we do are very sweet, and have the bonus of including Pollun and Lulun. I was also really touched by Hinata's scenes in the ending; when Hinata fully emerges as the Houhou, she changes her style of speech to be much more formal... and is immediately scolded by Hikari, who makes it clear that despite their change in station, despite their imminent parting, they are still close friends. Pollun's cries as Hinata flies away were kind of heartbreaking, if I'm being honest, but I might be very biased towards Pollun.

While momentary fights are not uncommon between Nagisa and Honoka, this one takes the cake for obvious reasons. Despite clearly intending to apologize to each other, Plot happens, and it just keeps getting put aside; until the villains (a self proclaimed Perfect Duo) decide to exploit this weakness and turn the two against each other, freezing their hearts and growing the bit of hatred they have inside for each other. They completely truly go at it in this sequence, and it's both heartbreaking and awesome to watch, some of the best fight choreography that PreCure has ever seen (and their reconciliation afterwards is some of the gayest shit I've ever seen.) I also immediately noticed the Snow Queen imagery present in this fight; when their hearts are frozen, we are shown shards of ice reflected in their eyes. It's also only after Honoka begins to cry that Nagisa begins to show hesitation.

The grand finale is really well done as well. It's extremely satisfying to finally see the villains finally thrown off their game, and it's pretty funny as well. Although I enjoyed their fabulous presence throughout the film, they are a bit one note, so it was very charming to see them bicker. I was also really glad to see that both Hinata and Hikari still had more to do in the film, and Hikari's final speech is really lovely. The final scene where Pollun and Lulun sunbathe out on the snow might be one of my favorites in the film; it's so strangely quiet and sweet.

Although I would have preferred for Hikari's story to be more entwined with Honoka and Nagisa's, I know that this is something that Max Heart has struggled with a lot even in the TV series, and I can at least appreciate that Hikari was given something of an arc in this film. Overall, there's very few changes I would make with the film structurally, and I think it's a very good watch, even for those less familiar with the series. I'm still working my way through the PreCure movies, but this and the MahoPre film are definitely the best two so far.