The latest Disney movie, Moana 2, was released in theaters in the United States in November, eight years after the first Moana. Although it received mixed reviews, that did not prevent it from grossing $404 million and setting several box office records that are not likely to be broken soon.
Moana 2 takes place three years after the events of the first film. In this sequel, Moana has become a Wayfinder, exploring nearby islands to connect the ocean’s inhabitants. She experiences a vision that reveals the reason why the people of the ocean are no longer connected. The power-hungry storm god, Nalo, despised mortals and, in his quest for more power, sunk the legendary island of Motufetu, which had once linked all the islands of the ocean. Determined to save her people from extinction, Moana assembles an unusual crew and sets sail to raise Motufetu from the ocean’s depths.
It was nice to see Moana and Maui (the Demi-god who assisted Moana in defeating Te Ka in the first movie) reunite with each other after years without seeing each other. This is because Maui has distanced himself from Moana and feels reluctant to fight alongside her to raise Motufetu from the depths of the ocean, out of fear that Moana will get killed in the process since she is just a mortal, and the only thing Nalo hates more than Maui is mortals. But Maui understands the importance of Moana’s mission and decides to help her and her new crew on their journey finally.
In my opinion, Moana 2 does a better job portraying the characters’ emotions compared to the first film. Whether it’s the scenes between Moana and the ocean, her younger sister feeling sad about her departure, Moana’s interactions with the spirits of her ancestors, or the numerous musical numbers, they all contribute to the emotional depth of the film.
I love the movie’s focus on Moana’s heritage and culture and the many ways it is shown throughout the movie, such as Moana being able to interact with her ancestors, her skills in navigation and exploring, and the ceremonies and dances she and her people participate in. As well as the Polynesian-rooted songs played and sung throughout the 100-minute film.
In addition, the animation was high quality and intricate. The water animation was absolutely beautiful. I can barely put it into words. It was crystal-clear, it was vibrant, majestic, and luminous. During the night scenes, the water somehow gets even more beautiful and glows just like bioluminescent water.
A heartwarming moment that tugs on your heartstrings is when Moana uses the ocean to communicate with her little sister after she successfully raises Motufetu. Her use of the ocean as a means of communication highlights Moana’s bond with nature and the love that she has in her heart for her little sister.
Some people are disappointed with the fact that the music in Moana 2 doesn’t stand up to the quality of the songs within the first Moana since Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t return to write the songs. “How Far I’ll Go” from the 2016 original is still stuck in some people’s heads to this day.
Even though some things in the film fall short of some expectations, the pros outweigh the cons. Moana 2 is definitely worth watching, especially on the big screen. For those who love animated musical adventures, Moana 2 is the perfect movie night option.
