Disney holiday films tend to be something special for the family, and this year is no different with the release of Moana 2. While sequels can be hit or miss, Moana 2 offers more of what audiences loved about the first film, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the high standards Moana set when it released in 2016. Let’s dive into the depths in our full review of Moana 2.
If Moana focused on the past, Moana 2 is looking toward the future. Most of the cast returns from the original film, but time has passed and Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) is now a promising young wayfinder. As she searches for other people of the ocean, she is once again drawn into the world of the gods, with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and some newcomers.
Moana 2 moves along at a brisk pace, catching the audience up with Moana and her family and friends, then starting her off on a new adventure. With a 90-minute runtime, the film does not waste much time, but still manages to squeeze in a number of songs, some emotional moments, and a little bit of fun.
The songs are not quite as catchy as the first film, or many other recent Disney animated films, but they’re still very much Disney songs that kids will be singing along with as they watch Moana 2 on repeat. Older audience members won’t be quite as entertained, but the story as whole is more adult than the first film, while still very clearly catering to a younger audience. The content of the film has aged up right alongside Moana herself.
There are a number of fun characters in Moana 2, but the story focuses almost exclusively on Moana and Maui. There’s some clear setup for a third film that will likely focus on some of the other new characters, but in Moana 2 most of the more interesting characters don’t really get enough screen time to shine.
Loto (Rose Matafeo) is a skilled, but quirky young shipwright, but she only has a handful of lines throughout the film, most of which are song lyrics. Moni (Hualalai Chung) feels like what a young, mortal Maui could’ve been like before he gained all of his overbearing confidence. While he gets to shine a little more than Loto, he still has a limited number of lines as he takes a backseat to Moana and Maui.
If you’re a fan of the first film, Moana 2 offers more of the same, with songs that aren’t quite as catchy, and a bit less of a supporting cast. It’s enough to keep children entertained, and parents attentive, while not overstaying its welcome. The short 90-minute runtime also means you never get bored of the characters or the plot, and you won’t be stuck in the theater for too long. However, nothing really stands out about Moana 2, especially when compared to the first film. It’s standard issue Disney, but doesn’t rise above that admittedly high baseline.
About Moana 2
Synopsis: After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
Directors: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Writers: Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller, Bek Smith
Stars: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualalai Chung, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser
Rated: PG
Runtime: 1 Hour, 40 Minutes
Bryan Dawson has been writing professionally since the age of 13. He started his career as a video game writer and has since worked for Random House, Prima Games, DirecTV, IGN, AOL, the British Government, and various other organizations. For GNN, Bryan taps into his passion for movies.
