“Moana 2,” a Thanksgiving weekend movie that seeks to capture the magic of the 2016 original while charting new narrative waters, is Disney’s adored oceanic heroine. The sequel, which hits theaters on November 27, reunites Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as the wise-cracking demigod Maui eight years after their first epic trip.
The original “Moana” was a groundbreaking animated film celebrating Polynesian culture. It grossed an impressive $643 million worldwide. It received critical acclaim for its breathtaking visuals, memorable Lin-Manuel Miranda songs, and powerful storytelling about cultural identity and personal discovery. The film exposed viewers to a resolute teenage Wayfinder who defied her island’s conventions and rebuilt Te Fiti’s heart, becoming a symbol of daring and adventure.
“Moana 2” seeks to build on that heritage. Moana goes out to understand why she has never met others during her nautical journeys. Recruiting a small group of allies, she sets out on a mission to discover the mythical island of Motufetu, promising another adventure that combines cultural mythology with personal growth and breathtaking animated scenery.
The sequel has enormous expectations and the task of living up to its predecessor’s beloved status while laying the groundwork for a live-action adaptation intended for 2026.
Navigating Uncharted Waters: The Journey of “Moana 2”
Moana’s most recent adventure leads her beyond the familiar shores of Motunui, inspired by a vision from her elders concerning the mysterious forgotten island of Motufetu. This time, she’s not just protecting her planet; she’s also trying to figure out why she’s never met anybody else during her maritime adventures.
Moana sets sail into the unknown with a strange crew, including the overly enthusiastic Moni and the nerdy engineer Loto. Her trusted companion Maui unwillingly joins the journey, delivering caustic warnings about the dangers ahead, which Moana inevitably ignores.
The story progresses as an episodic quest in which Moana faces numerous difficulties and fascinating animals. A gigantic, otherworldly giant clam is one of the most striking visual scenes, evoking Studio Ghibli’s unique flair. However, reviewers argue that the story fails to capture the seamless charm of the original film, feeling more complicated and less focused.
At the heart of the journey is a larger theme: the human desire to connect beyond narrow, isolated communities. Moana is not just exploring geographical borders but also testing the bounds of cultural isolation. The curse imposed by the evil god Nalo on Motufetu is symbolic and a literal barrier to human interaction.
Despite the exciting premise, the film appears to lose some narrative momentum. The plot feels like a retread of the original structure—a journey, encounters with magical entities, and a final confrontation—but lacks major narrative novelty.
The resolution seeks to wrap up Moana’s exploratory voyage. Still, it leaves enough narrative threads dangling to hint at future parts. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will satisfy audiences. Still, it does open the door to future maritime excursions.
Sailing Beyond Familiar Horizons: Character Journeys in “Moana 2”
Moana embarks on her second adventure as a more experienced explorer, nevertheless filled with the same adventurous spirit that distinguished her previous journey. Her character stays unchanged: brave, determined, and motivated by an insatiable curiosity about the world outside Motunui. While she is no longer the unsure young woman from the previous film, her primary objective remains constant: pushing boundaries and making new connections.
Maui returns with his characteristic swagger, albeit slightly weakened from his prior appearance. His function appears more peripheral, with the demigod spending major time kidnapped and reluctantly delivering guidance. His wise-cracking bravado, which made him so endearing in the original film, now feels slightly strained, and his gags land with less impact.
The new crew members bring diverse characteristics to the expedition. Moni appears as an overly enthusiastic companion, and Loto, a nerdy engineer, represents the group’s technological ability. Kele, a muscular painter with a gift for appreciating Maui, and other supporting characters appear throughout the story, but they rarely go beyond conventional roles. They provide some humor and response shots but rarely drive the narrative’s deeper emotional currents.
Matangi appears as a potentially intriguing enemy with a complicated history with Maui. However, her character is painfully underdeveloped—introduced spectacularly and then immediately dismissed, leaving fans wanting more depth.
The film struggles to deliver genuine character development. Whereas the original “Moana” allowed characters to grow and transform, the sequel feels more like a surface-level adventure. Characters develop throughout the novel, but not necessarily in important ways.
Finally, “Moana 2” appears more concerned with sustaining the status quo than truly exploring new emotional frontiers for its favorite characters.
Painted Waves: The Visual Landscape of “Moana 2”
The marine universe of “Moana 2” is a visual feast depicting the Pacific’s amazing beauty and unpredictable volatility. While not changing the visual language of the original film, the animation retains breathtaking environmental elements that transform seascapes into alive, breathing characters.
Sunrises and sunsets are brimming with vibrant colors, converting ocean views into breathtaking artworks. The night sky sparkles with an exquisite assortment of stars, creating ethereal backdrops that feel intimate and infinite. The impressive underwater sequences portray marine ecosystems as tranquil and ominously threatening.
The film’s most memorable visual highlight is a big clam sequence that directly homages to Hayao Miyazaki’s inventive creature creations. This scene captures the film’s ability to combine accurate marine biology with imaginative, even magical depictions of oceanic life.
Action moments, notably a clash with a ferocious storm, showcase technical brilliance in animated motion. Waves smash and whirl with incredible complexity, making the ocean appear like a conscious, powerful entity rather than just a backdrop.
Creature designs strike a fine blend between realistic anatomy and whimsical imagination. Mythical beings emerge with a sense of organic authenticity, avoiding the pitfall of appearing unnaturally manufactured.
While the animation may not necessarily stretch the bounds of the original “Moana,” it frequently produces visually spectacular moments that remind viewers of the magic inherent in hand-drawn and computer-generated animation.
The visual world of “Moana 2” remains its finest narrative aspect, demonstrating the continuous quality of modern animated storytelling.
Rhythms of the Ocean: Musical Waves in “Moana 2”
The musical environment of “Moana 2” comes with enormous expectations and significant hurdles. Returning composers Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i bring their oceanic expertise. Still, the loss of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s compositional magic creates a big gap in the musical storyline.
The soundtrack struggles to capture the contagious enthusiasm of the original film’s outstanding music. Whereas “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” became cultural touchstones, the new songs felt bland and forgettable. The primary track, “Beyond,” is particularly anticlimactic, failing to capture the emotional resonance of prior musical moments.
Desperate attempts to reproduce the original’s musical magic are revealed through self-referential language. Characters frequently ask themselves, “How far? ” Maui makes tongue-in-cheek references to prior popular songs—an approach that feels more like musical nostalgia than true invention.
The film’s musical approach appears to be caught somewhere between innovation and imitation. While the composers maintain technical proficiency, the songs lack the dynamism that made the original soundtrack groundbreaking. Instead of serving as a driving narrative force, the music becomes background noise.
Surprisingly, the soundtrack’s most exciting moment occurs during Matangi’s musical act, when crazy bat-backing dancers suddenly inject surprising energy into the proceedings. However, these moments are too infrequent to save the entire musical experience.
“Moana 2” ultimately reveals how difficult it is to replicate the lightning-in-a-bottle musical magic of its predecessor, leaving spectators humming the original themes rather than embracing the new.
Charting New Waters: Directorial Navigation in “Moana 2”
The shift from John Musker and Ron Clements’ original vision to the new directing team of Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller, and David Derrick Jr. is an intriguing task. Their approach is more cautious than revolutionary, closely replicating the original film’s narrative blueprint with few creative risks.
Technical execution remains good, with fluid animation and spectacular water effects that uphold the original’s high standards. However, the directors struggle to bring new perspectives to the tale. Their technique resembles tracing an existing map rather than discovering new narrative territory.
The film’s episodic structure reveals that it was originally intended for television. Scenes appear more like disjointed vignettes than a continuous trip, with each interaction feeling like a stand-alone adventure rather than part of a wider story arc. This disjointed approach undercuts the depth and emotional connection that made the original film so captivating.
Most tellingly, the directors are reticent to seriously question the established formula. The first “Moana” softly satirized Disney animation conventions, but the sequel is annoyingly safe. The ultimate effect is a technically skilled but emotionally flat adventure that feels more like a contractual necessity than a passionate, creative endeavor.
Pacing becomes a major issue, with narrative momentum constantly disrupted by seemingly random character interactions and visually gorgeous but narratively insignificant passages. The directors’ problem of blending spectacle and storytelling remains only half addressed.
“Moana 2” exemplifies the delicate art of sequel-making: respecting what came before while innovating enough to warrant its existence.
Navigating Cultural Currents: Deeper Meanings in “Moana 2”
At its foundation, “Moana 2” investigates the underlying human urge to connect over familiar borders. The search for Motufetu becomes a symbolic journey of cultural understanding, with Moana defying the seclusion that has defined her people’s existence.
Leadership remains a prominent topic, albeit less energetically depicted than in the original film. Moana’s persona embodies the spirit of discovery, but her leadership appears more prescribed than revolutionary. She forms a diverse team, illustrating the power of collaborative endeavor, but the story fails to completely realize this potential.
Polynesian cultural representation remains an important aspect, albeit somewhat diluted in this sequel. The mythological components felt more decorative than fully integrated, sacrificing part of the rich cultural depth that made the original film appealing. Ancestral links are still significant, but the spiritual depth feels shallower.
The antagonist’s role in causing separation and impeding cross-cultural bonding contrasts with Moana’s adventurous attitude. However, this issue is not developed with the complexity it requires, frequently feeling like a plot device rather than a serious investigation of cultural divides.
Finally, “Moana 2” implies that true comprehension comes from pushing past established borders, both geographical and cultural. However, the film appears hesitant to completely embrace that message, instead staying within established narrative patterns.
The most significant moments arise not from loud announcements but from quiet conversations that hint at the prospect of genuine cross-cultural connection—a subtle reminder of the power of curiosity and empathy.
Echoes of the Past: “Moana 2” in the Shadow of Its Predecessor
Whereas the original “Moana” sailed with unbound inventiveness, the sequel feels too tied to familiar beaches. The innovative premise of the original film—a young woman fighting convention to save her people—was replaced by a more complicated, less focused quest that failed to capture the same magic.
Auli’i Cravalho’s performance remains the brightest beacon, preserving Moana’s vibrant energy. However, the character’s journey now seems more mechanical than transformative. What was previously easily entertaining has become stiff, with a narrative line that painfully leads nowhere.
Visually, the film continues to impress. The ocean scenes are as breathtaking as the original, making them a feast for the eyes. However, magnificent visuals cannot make up for a narrative that feels like a photocopy of the original, slightly faded and less vivid.
Musically, the lack of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s brilliant songwriting creates a major hole. Whereas the original soundtrack was a worldwide sensation, this sequel’s music is lovely but forgettable.
What’s the most telling comparison? The original “Moana” seemed revolutionary; “Moana 2” feels like a well-meaning but ultimately pointless return to old territory.
Sailing Between Expectations and Reality: “Moana 2” Verdict
“Moana 2” is a well-intended but ultimately unsatisfying adventure. While the breathtaking sights and Auli’i Cravalho’s dedicated acting provide brief moments of delight, the film fails to justify its existence beyond nostalgic references.
For die-hard Moana fans, the sequel features familiar characters in a new location. Casual viewers may find the plot rambling and less captivating than the original’s innovative storytelling. The film is like a gorgeous postcard—appealing to look at but lacking the depth of a true trip experience.
Recommendation: Approach with restrained expectations. This film will appeal to people seeking visual comfort food but will not revolutionize animation narrative. Disney’s sequel machine continues to generate technically competent but emotionally mediocre experiences.
For those who enjoyed the original, this is a light revisit, not a revolutionary voyage.
The Review
Moana 2
"Moana 2" returns to familiar seas, presenting a visually spectacular but narratively mediocre adventure. While the film maintains technical quality and the basic spirit of its predecessor, it fails to capture the innovative magic that made the original a classic animated film. The sequel feels like a contractual obligation rather than a joyful storytelling adventure. Stunning animation, Auli'i Cravalho's ongoing charisma, and magnificent marine settings cannot compensate for a disjointed narrative, uninspired musical moments, and character arcs that feel more repetitive than transformative. This film will likely appeal to younger audiences and die-hard Moana fans. Still, it will not be a noteworthy addition to Disney's animation library.
PROS
- Stunning visual animation
- Consistent voice performances
- Visually engaging oceanic scenes
CONS
- Shallow narrative depth
- Lacks the originality of the original film
- Forgettable musical sequences
- Minimal character development
- Feels derivative and repetitive
- Underdeveloped antagonist
