‘Moana 2’ Movie Review: New Friends And Heightened Stakes Contribute To Apt Follow-Up Overflowing With Charm
Photo from Disney
From Joe Peltzer
Moana is a better film than Frozen (fight me), both hits in their own right, but the former exuding cultural authenticity and delight while the latter plays it all safe. When word of a follow-up to the 2016 film came in the form of a series announcement, I was a bit disappointed; this character and those around her demand to be seen on the biggest screen possible. I was then equally concerned when it was shared that the series would be essentially repurposed for a theatrical release. Eight years after the first film exploded at the box office, I am pleased to report that Moana 2 digs deeper into the culture and expands the storytelling to new characters in a way that feels authentically natural as the next harrowing adventure for oar-wielding heroine.
In the sequel, there years have passed since the events of the first film and Moana (once again voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) finds herself called by ancestors to reunite the people of the many islands of the ocean. Of course, her trek will put her in potential peril thanks to a violent god and a mysterious new bat-woman named Matangi (voiced by Awhimai Fraser). In order to complete her quest, which involves stepping foot on a submerged island, Moana enlists the help of a crew: Loto (Rose Matafeo), Moni (Hualalai Chung), and the grumpy Kele (David Fane). Hei Hei and Pua are there, too, joined once again by demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Moana 2 dives right into the plot, wasting no time setting the crew on their way. The premise is simple, yet satisfying, succeeding in building upon the established lore of the first film and raising the stakes of their adventure.
Crafted by a trio of directors in Dana Ledoux Miller, David Derrick Jr., and Jason Hand, Moana 2 features an enhanced animation style that exceeds to uniqueness of the first film and makes for a mesmerizing watch. It’s a return to the beautiful comforts of Montunui and the wonders of the water surrounding it, flowing off of the screen with vibrancy and switching accordingly to dark and mysterious when the plot calls.
Let’s be honest, though… we’re here for the music above all, no? The young duo of Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear successfully step in as writers of the songs featured in the film in the absence of Lin Manuel-Miranda. Moana’s big solo performance, “Beyond,” is a natural successor to “How Far I’ll Go” with an eye to future adventure and growth. Once that reprise hits at the conclusion of the film, it cements itself as a future hit. Matangi’s “Get Lost” is this film’s “Shiny” while Johnson follows up “You’re Welcome” with the absolute showstopper of “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” The smile that was plastered on my face during the sequence may still be seen as I compose this sentence.
Still, there are some obvious signs that this film’s story was born out of a series concept. With knowledge of the origins of the film, one may be able to pinpoint where episodes end and begin. Additionally, Matangi is a loose end, a character who you expect to see again but never again appears. In addition, the story is surprisingly quick in development (a plus, as noted), but it also feels as though the resolution comes quickly. That’s not to say that hurdles aren’t jumped by the titular character and her crew; one scene in particular had children in my screening crying out in fear that Moana may not make it to an inevitable third film. Despite these critiques, Moana 2 still delivers the Disney magic in a respectful manner for the character.
The scene-stealer in Moana 2 is without a doubt Moana’s sister Simea (voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda). She is utilized as a quick reminder as to Moana’s love of family (and the island peoples’ love of Moana), her dialogue beyond adorable and their interactions drawing tears. And yes, the Kakamora are back and as effective in the humor department as ever, layered with a but more backstory in an unexpected inclusion.
What’s clear after viewing Moana 2 is that this is a box office home run for Disney thanks to the unending charm and brilliance of Cravalho as Moana. It was absolutely the right decision to put the character back on the big screen and I can only pray that we see more of her in the future. Moana is one of Disney’s bravest, strongest princesses/characters and a bankable asset for the Mouse House. Moana 2 takes the success of the first film and replicates it here in a nonstop adventure that succeeds in furthering Moana’s legend and opening new channels (pun intended) for future exploration.
Rating: 4/5
Moana 2 hits theaters Wednesday.
