What’s It About
Moana embarks on an epic journey in search of discovering if people live beyond the shoes of Motunui. In doing so, she heads to the far seas of Oceania with her friends after she receives an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Disney’s Moana 2 is highly awaited after the great success of the first movie in 2016. The first film told an elaborate story of personal growth and cultural heritage that touched the hearts of many. The sequel, on the other hand, focuses more on action and hence is a very exciting and surprising ride for the viewers. Its backdrop is interesting too. Moana 2 was first conceived as a television series, then later developed into a feature. This change brought with it opportunities and constraints. As a result of this change, nearly the entire original voice cast has returned, with Auli’i Cravalho once again reprising Moana with that same infectious enthusiasm and nuanced performance that has made her character so memorable in the original film. The sequel comes with an interesting mix of music. Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’I return, but the witty remarks of Lin-Manuel Miranda are undoubtedly missed. The unique way with words and the deep emotions he brought are surely missed, although the movie does try to keep the music similar to traditional Polynesian-inspired songs. Most memorable is “Finding the Way” by Olivia Foa’i, reflecting the spirit of culture that made the original film so lovable. The movie looks great. Its first few scenes are amazing, with a touching moment where Moana’s three-year-old sister Simea meets the Ocean. That proves the animation team can tell a story that is beautiful and emotional. In her first exploration, it shows how Moana has grown strong and skillful since her last adventure. However, there are major problems with how the story was constructed. The movie opens at a high point, where Moana is already established as a hero who has changed how her community interacts with the ocean. This creates a story problem: what does a character do after such a huge success? The quest to find the lost island of Motufetu feels a little forced without the strong mythical and personal reasons of the original film. The new characters feel very shallow. The most disappointing is Loto, played by Rose Matafeo. She could be quite an interesting character, but she is used mostly for jokes. Her role as a creative boat builder is hardly looked at, and she comes off mostly as strange and clumsy. Matangi, another new character, feels more like a tool for the story than a real person—mainly there to explain things and help the story progress. Action scenes are good, but they rarely translate into actual character development. A set piece involving the returning Kakamora and a massive ship-eating clam lacks the imaginative energy of similar scenes in the first film. These moments feel more like video game-like challenges than meaningful narrative progression. The film’s underlying message about human connection is noble but underdeveloped. The idea of Motufetu as an island that used to connect different communities is interesting, though it is not really explored. Further development in this direction would have provided more depth of culture and history, which made the first Moana so intriguing. With all these criticisms, Moana 2 still holds its own charms. The animation is still exquisite, and young viewers are sure to delight in the continuing story of Moana. The final battle of the movie, while not as good as the climax of the first one, still delivers a great conclusion in which Moana finally becomes a chief. The film feels somewhat like a cross between television and movies. Each segment of the story feels like it is reflecting its television roots, showing more like episodes than a cohesive movie experience. There’s a warmth in feeling and energy that makes the film interesting. With its problems, Moana 2 still celebrates a strong female lead who keeps on discovering her world and looking after her people. It points out such ideas as connection, community, and personal growth—values that are well beyond the culture of the story. Moana 2 may not be quite up to the level of the first film, but still a nice family movie. It’s a testament to the character’s enduring appeal and the continued potential of animated storytelling to explore complex themes through vibrant, accessible narratives.
OUR RATING – A COMPLEX 6