Moana 2 

(dirs. David G. Derrick, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller)

By: Adam Freed

Disney’s Moana 2, feels like it should be the safest bet in the history of animated sequels. The film boasts an undeniable proof of concept, majestic visual appeal, and the studio’s laudable efforts to accurately represent the culture of the Polynesian people.  Add this to the fact that its predecessor, Moana (2016), stands as the apex example of greatness in modern animated musicals, mostly on the shoulders of lyrical giant Lin-Manuel Miranda. Stack everything up in favor of Moana 2, and the long awaited sequel feels too big to fail.  Instead, with a triumvirate of directors in tow, David G. Derrick, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller offer a film about exploration that ironically explores little new ground and will likely be best remembered for what it lacks, rather than what expansive new directions it chooses to lead its millions of existing fans.  While Moana 2  is far from a complete miss, one cannot help but complete its viewing and instantly yearn for the days of the infinitely singable soundtrack of its far superior predecessor.   

Originally conceptualized as a 10 part series on the Disney+ streaming platform, Moana 2  was later condensed into its 100 minute format and sent into the box office fray to bolster Disney’s annual return.  The feminine Polynesian hero returns physically stronger and more confident, reinforced by her successes outlined in the original film, and now seeks to expand her island’s knowledge of the ocean by connecting the countless remote islands scattered across the Pacific.  Returning to voice the titular wayfinder is Auli'i Cravalho (Moana, Mean Girls), who again captivates as a singer, yet is noticeably cooking with inferior ingredients, with the exception of the song “Beyond” which, as most great musical numbers will do, speaks directly to her newfound motivation and the direction of Moana’s character arc.  Providing Moana’s story a welcome layer of depth is the development that she is now a big sister, which adds role model to her growing list of accomplishments. Also returning is the distinctly recognizable vocal prowess of Dwayne Johnson (Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle, Red One) as demigod Maui.  Although Maui suffers from a palpable lack of character growth, he remains magnetic on the strength of Johnson’s comedic timing and his ability to infuse sentimentality into his now famous character.  

Ultimately, Moana 2 is a bankable concept presented with a compelling opening act and culminating with a wonderful Disney-esque climactic resolution. In between these successful bookends however is an unremarkable storyline that feels salvaged from a cutting room floor. In a plot that very much follows the blueprint of the initial film, Moana and Maui’s adventure leaves one unable to escape the feeling of skimming across familiar waters.  Children and Disney diehards are likely to feel satiated as the second film returns much of the beauty and fun of the original, but so much of the tear jerking emotional heartbeat is missing and one cannot help but feel Lin-Manuel Miranda’s absence most in those moments. Riding the tidal wave of unwavering support created by the runaway success of its original, Moana 2  should've been too big to resist.  To say that the newest Moana adventure doesn’t reach the heights of the original isn’t the condemnation that it may seem. While Moana (2016) is already canonized as one of Disney’s greatest films, Moana 2 will likely be remembered as being merely watchable.

Target Score: 6/10 Moana 2 successfully returns much of the sweeping visual and thematic appeal that fans will expect.  It is impossible however to ignore the glaring shortcomings of a soundtrack that comes nowhere close to the heights of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original.  The Disney sequel is a safe bet to be adored by children but simply tolerated by their paying adult counterparts.