The Lego world is back in “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” the follow-up to the 2014 smash that has spawned a few spinoffs between films.

The return to the original Lego world is a joyful reunion that may not have quite the same charm as the original, but it is still pretty awesome.

“The Second Part” picks up five years later with the Lego World in disarray after the arrival of aliens that wreak havoc on the seemingly joyous world.

While fierce warrior Lucy (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) is concerned with protecting the Lego world, happy-go-lucky Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) wants to continue his carefree existence and is determined to find the good in everything.

Emmet is thrust into the role of unlikely hero, though, when Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (voiced by Tiffany Haddish) kidnaps Lucy, Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) and several other Lego citizens.

Emmet sets out on a quest to save his friends with a little help from a loner named Rex Dangervest (also voiced by Pratt) who seems to be exactly the kind of hero Emmet longs to be.

“The Second Part” has a lot of the same elements that made the original – and the “Lego Batman” and “Lego Ninjago” spinoffs – so successful. It is loaded with pop culture references and visual sight gags that are sometimes aimed more for the parents than the children. The jokes come rapid fire – referencing everything from “Die Hard” and “The Justice League” to pretty much everything else in Pratt’s resume.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s screenplay (they turned the directorial reigns over this time to “Trolls” director Mike Mitchell) has fun with the world, expanding the mythology in clever ways that almost seem effortless. One of best running gags in “The Second Part” is how they play off the original’s dare-you-not to sing along “Everything is Awesome.” This time the song is aptly titled “This Song’s Gonna Get Stuck Inside Your Head” (it’s still stuck in my head almost a week after seeing it).

But what set the original “Lego Movie” apart from a lot of animated films was the unexpected third act, which brought a human element that really gave the movie its heart and soul.

I wasn’t sure how “The Second Part” would work that element in, but Lord and Miller came up with a creative way that not only builds on the first film – it serves as a way to bring the two worlds in this film together quite nicely.

That human element doesn’t work quite as well this time, probably because the surprise factor is gone, but it is still good enough that I am very much looking forward to the third part – or any variation of this Lego world they want to do.

Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks (voices)

Directed by: Mike Mitchell

Rating: PG for some rude humor

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B+