Moana 2

 

“This is a call from the ancestors.”

Enjoyable, expansive and effervescent, Moana 2 is a solid sequel that continues to celebrate the Polynesian people and culture, in a sprawling sequel that broadens the world of the first, with new characters and adversaries, that may be less emotional or memorable, but is still delightful and stunningly animated. 

Discussion Points:

I was definitely skeptical going into this because it originally started as a Disney+ streaming show that then only seemingly got retooled as a theatrical film earlier this year. So I was expecting a more episodic and less cinematic experience. And so I’m pleasantly surprised to report that I found this to be a great cohesive sequel that builds on the previously established world, develops existing characters and introduces new fun ones, and features even more beautifully breathtaking animation, and some solid new songs. Again, I was cautious given the fact none of the major creative team from the first was returning here apart from the films composer Mark Mancina and lyricist/composer Opetaia Foaʻi, but the new directing team have delivered an engaging, action packed, albeit less emotional and often more exposition filled follow up. And Barlow and Bear are great new songwriters who capture the classic Disney/Broadway style with some Lin-Manuel flair thrown in as well. I don’t think all of the plot points are fully resolved, and the film suffers from the lack of a developed significant villain, but that was also a shortcoming of the first film. I loved the songs “Beyond” and “Can I Get A Chee Hoo!” and really enjoyed the new characters. It’s a super funny film and the laughs are frequently well-earned. Overall, I think this is one of Disney’s best films in recent memory (surpassed only by Encanto) since the first Moana!