Moana 2: Is the Sequel Worth the Watch?
The first Moana installment was released in November of 2016, and since then, it has remained one of Disney’s prized jewels, alongside Frozen and Frozen 2.
However, it’s common knowledge that Disney’s newest productions don’t have this same effect. Wish, Strange World, and Lightyear are all Disney installments that flopped tremendously upon release in the last three years. Frankly, Disney's last real hit was Frozen 2, 5 years ago, smashing Thanksgiving box records from the moment of its release in theaters, grossing over 1 billion dollars in revenue. Lately, Disney has been declining, and what better way to revive their brand than to return to what made them great in the first place: animated feature films with a lovable and complex main character. So Frozen 3, Moana 2, and Zootopia 2 are all announced in a desperate effort to draw fans back into the nostalgic world of Disney at D23. Fast forward to November 26th, 2024, Moana 2 is released, breaking the record Frozen 2 set for the biggest Thanksgiving theatrical release.
Moana 2 Teaser (Disney)
As a devoted Moana fan since day one, I saw the film on Friday and can confidently say it lives up to expectations. The first Moana reached audiences across the globe primarily due to the rich Polynesian culture integrated into Moana's storyline. Every aspect of the film is a cultural nod, from basket weaving, wayfinding, art, tattoos, and the demigod Maui. Lin-Manual Miranda's award-winning job on the soundtrack only adds to the film's passion and fully immerses the viewer. I've been playing the Moana soundtrack for years, and the film is deeply integrated into who I am today, so I was devoted to seeing the new film soon after its release. When the movie began, I was immediately sucked back into the breathtaking world Moana resides, and shots throughout the movie had me starstruck. It is a breathtaking film.
First Poster Released For Moana 2 (Disney)
The soundtrack of the new movie was also great, although it may have yet to live up to what Lin-Manual Miranda did with the first movie's score; Abigal Barlow and Emily Bear did so well. The second movie's storyline is beautifully done and full of meaningful scenes and lessons that are sure to resonate with viewers. The ending was satisfying, and I love what they do with both Moana and Maui’s characters. The side characters are also a nice touch, as in this installment, Moana feels much less isolated than before. However, we must bring up how the critics' reviews of this film are all over the place. The truth behind these inconsistent reviews is that Moana 2 is being held to a standard that is too high. People need to remember this is intended as a children's movie! While Moana’s character will always be complex, the plot must remain easy to follow and track for a younger audience. Some also compare the plot in this movie to an altered version of the previous film; however, a Moana film simply isn't complete if Moana is not compelled to leave her home. It's her whole thing as a character! She ventures beyond, and faces the unknown, braving the storm. Although she loves her people and family more than anything, her home is under threat, and that's why she must leave in order to protect it. No matter what, Moana had to leave her home in this film for the plot to have any real takeaway. So please, take the film for what it is: a rich, beautiful story following a powerful female lead. Whether you hear a good or bad review for Moana 2, I recommend seeing it for yourself. The visuals and storyline make it a truly enduring experience in itself, and it's an experience any viewer can resonate with.
(P.S. stream ‘Beyond’ by Auli'i Cravalho!)
By Blythe, with love.
