Adventure Animation

Review: ‘Moana 2’ is a Satisfactory Sequel that Fall Short of Recapturing the Magic of the First Installment

November 27, 2024Ben MK



   
A music-filled animated adventure that followed in the footsteps of such iconic Disney family favorites as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Pocahontas, Moana was a movie whose endearing characters, heartwarming story and sing-along-worthy songs made it an instant classic. Whether it's Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson's voice performances as Moana and Maui, Lin Manuel Miranda's peak songwriting, or the adorable animal sidekicks Hei Hei and Pua, there was so much to love about directing duo Ron Clements and John Musker's seventh big screen collaboration that it was only a matter of time before audiences were treated to a sequel. Now, eight years later, Moana 2 is finally fulfilling moviegoers' expectations and sailing into theaters. But does Moana and Maui's second foray into the unknown waters of ancient Polynesia live up to the original?

Set three years after the events of its predecessor, the story once again follows Moana (Cravalho), a young woman from the island of Motunui who has now become one of its most famous wayfinders. With Hei Hei the rooster and Pua the pig by her side, Moana has seen her share of spectacular adventures, not the least of which involved teaming up with the demigod Maui (Johnson) and restoring the fabled heart of Te Fiti to its rightful place. But when Moana's latest expedition sees her discovering an artifact that could help point the way for the future legacy of her peoples, it sends her on a journey that will take her farther than she's ever gone before, as she sets out to break a curse cast by the ruthless god Nalo and raise the long-lost island of Motofetu from the depths of the ocean. Teaming up with her fellow islanders Loto (Rose Matafeo), Kele (David Fane) and Moni (Hualalai Chung), Moana soon finds herself in over her head, as the foursome encounter the fearsome pirates known as the Kakamora. Just when all seems to be lost, though, who should appear but Maui, whose own latest quest has inadvertently put him in the perfect position to lend Moana and her friends a heroic hand.

Joining their ragtag crew, Maui and his demigod powers certainly come in handy, especially when dealing with Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), a batty goddess who's been roped into helping Talo with his nefarious schemes. When it comes to raising Motofetu, however, Maui will find that not even his superior strength and shape-shifting powers will provide the magical touch needed to reverse Talo's curse. For while his fantastical skillset are definitely enough to get Moana and her friends close enough to accomplishing their goal, the task of completing the final stretch of their mission will fall on Moana herself, as she must call upon all her courage to outsmart Talo at his own game. Will she succeed in bringing Motofetu back to sea level, thereby repairing the broken connection between Motunui and the dozens of other islands beyond its waters? Or will Talo manage to defeat this rascally group of protagonists, destroying the bond that links together the many peoples of the Pacific forever?

Directed by David G. Derrick Jr. and co-directed by Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the result attempts to replicate the crowd-pleasing formula of the original. Yet while it's largely successful at captivating viewers with its colorful visuals, family-friendly humor and enjoyable songs, there's something to be said for the "almost, but not quite" tone of the overall endeavor. From the quality of the music, which doesn't inspire as much toe-tapping as the first film, to the story itself, which expands the world-building of the franchise but ultimately doesn't add much to Moana and Maui's arcs, there's enough left to be desired about this sequel to make audiences wonder whether this second deep dive into ancient Polynesia was really worth it. For viewers who genuinely adored its predecessor, on the other hand, Moana 2 delivers enough feel-good vibes to make it a worthwhile trip to the multiplex, especially considering the hit-and-miss nature of Disney animated sequels in general.

Suffice to say, fans of Moana and Maui's first big screen adventure will find plenty of commendable qualities in Moana 2 to keep this sequel in regular rotation once it leaves theaters and starts streaming on Disney Plus. For moviegoers who perhaps weren't quite as enamored by the first installment, however, there's probably less reason to hop aboard for this newest oceanic voyage and more reason to stay at home, weathering the inevitable storms of the season's sequels, remakes and mass-market blockbusters.


Moana 2 releases November 27th, 2024 from Walt Disney Studios. The film has an MPAA rating of PG for action/peril. Its runtime is 1 hr. 40 min.








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