27 Nov REVIEW – ‘Moana 2’ is a safe but somewhat satisfying sequel
For a studio so often criticised for its reliance on rehashing the past, it’s rather wild to consider Disney has only released four animated sequels in its almost 90 years of existence. Sure, there was that period in the 90s and early 00s when every successful animated feature received a subpar straight-to-video follow-up. However, in terms of theatrically released animated films, we’ve only had The Rescuers Down Under, Fantasia 2000, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Frozen II.
It’s also crazy to remember a follow-up to the 2016 smash hit Moana wasn’t even on Disney’s schedule before February this year. That was back when Bob Iger stunned the industry by announcing the planned Disney+ series starring the beloved wayfinder was being reworked into a theatrical sequel coming this November. Could this mad plan actually deliver a second film worthy of the legacy set by an animated gem many consider a modern Disney classic? Eh, yes and no.
While Moana 2 matches the stunning animation, great voice acting, and beautiful celebration of Polynesian culture found in its predecessor, it can’t quite reach the same emotional depth nor replicate the now-iconic musical stylings. It’s entirely entertaining and there are plenty of well-earned laughs along the way. But you rarely shake the notion this began as a television series in this safe but somewhat satisfying sequel that feels too episodic to be something fully theatrical.
Set three years after the events of the previous film, the sequel finds Moana (a spirited Auli’i Cravalho) now a fully-fledged wayfinder exploring the oceans for other populated islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Passing the teachings of her beloved grandmother, Tala (Rachel House) on to her young sister, Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), Moana still dreams of connecting all peoples of Polynesia, as foretold by her ancestors.
After learning of an ancient curse placed by the vengeful god Nalo on the hidden island of Motufetu, which once mystically joined the people of the ocean, Moana believes breaking the spell is the key to reuniting the islands. Forming a new crew featuring grumpy farmer Kele (David Fane), wise shipbuilder Loto (Rose Matafeo), and brawny Moni (Hualālai Chung), alongside her trusty sidekicks, Pua the shy pig and Heihei the quirky rooster, Moana says farewell to Motunui and sets sail once again.
But there’s one old pal missing from her squad; the brash, shapeshifting demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). That’s because he’s currently trapped by the mysterious, bat-controlling Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), a nemesis from his past who has captured Maui under instruction from her boss, Nalo. She warns that if anyone attempts to break Nalo’s curse, they’ll be instantly destroyed, especially a mere mortal like Moana.
From this plot summary, you can possibly surmise how this plot would be split into six episodes of a TV show, particularly given that Moana and Maui are kept strangely separated for almost 40 minutes in a film that only runs 100 minutes. In a TV series, that’s a plot to keep you watching each episode. In a movie proceeding a film where the central relationship between these two characters is its greatest strength, that’s a problem. When our wayfinder and the demigod finally reunite, Moana 2 improves considerably. But it’s a bit of a slog waiting for that moment to happen.
It’s not that Moana isn’t an interesting character without Maui. Far from it. Cravalho effortlessly slips back into the role that made her a star with an equally fierce and fearless voice performance that cemented our titular heroine as one of the best and most inspiring in Disney history. She retains Moana’s endless positivity and bubbly personality while still evolving the protagonist into a more mature leader longing to prove she can face any challenge for the betterment of her people. But when Cravalho combines with Johnson and their sparkling chemistry ignites, her performance becomes something else entirely.
Much like he did in the first outing, Johnson delivers lashings of charisma and bravado as the cocky demigod you can’t help but adore. He’s blessed with the lion’s share of the film’s levity with a stream of zippy one-liners and playful references that elicit laughs along the way. As for the new additions, Matafeo is the perfect choice for a zany character like Loto, Fane is great as the obligatory elderly curmudgeon, and Moni’s standing as an unashamed Maui fanboy gives Chung some comedy to play with. But these three aren’t given all that much to do and their characterisations are razor thin. Their only tangible reason for existing is to teach Moana a lesson in the finale centred on how working together is better than attempting to do everything alone à la the old cliché “very special episode” of a TV series.
Written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, the screenplay feels rather reductive to the original film’s story, albeit without the high emotions and tear-inducing moments. It hits many similar beats (the call from the ocean, the epic journey across the sea, the island cursed by a nefarious god, the “all hope seems lost” moment) and follows almost an identical narrative path. Again, that’s something that might work perfectly fine in a television show that’s merely seeking to replicate what you loved about the movie. Here, it just feels like too much of a replication of everything we’ve seen before. It’s an entirely enjoyable journey and one that will keep your kids’ attention, but the greatest of sequels seek to do more than just cover old territory.
With Lin-Manuel Miranda busy writing original music for Disney’s next big blockbuster, Mufasa: The Lion King, it’s left to songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear to valiantly attempt to fill the very large shoes left by Miranda’s absence. Unfortunately, much like the story, the new songs feel achingly familiar yet far less memorable than those delivered in the original. “Beyond” is Barlow and Bear’s attempt at an “I Want” ballad in the same vein as “How Far I’ll Do.” Maui’s big musical number “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” is a pale comparison to “You’re Welcome.” The lyrics are somewhat clunky and simply don’t flow as Miranda’s writing does. Thankfully, the original and often sweeping Polynesian score by Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i is absolutely resplendent.
For all its narrative faults, you can’t deny Moana 2 is a visually stunning feast. You have to presume once this became a theatrical film, the animators have been working overtime to improve the animation to upgrade sequences intended for television and rework them into something more cinematic. They’ve succeeded. From the spectacular, photorealistic water designs and lush tropical backdrops to the vibrant character designs, it’s a beautifully animated work that matches the visual triumphs of its predecessor. Every frame sparkles on the big screen, which is clearly where Moana’s gorgeous island home belongs.
There are many sequels in cinema history that are genuinely terrible films. Moana 2 is not one of them. Young viewers are going to adore it and that’s entirely fine. It’s a bright and silly spectacle that will keep their eyes glued to the screen, especially given the joy that comes from seeing beloved characters returning after almost a decade away. It doesn’t quite capture the magic of its predecessor, but it tries earnestly to replicate it. It’s a second chapter that’s easy to like but difficult to truly love. Perhaps it’s an exercise in why sequels to animated Disney musicals were always better suited for a home entertainment release.
Distributor: Disney
Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Rachel House, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, Alan Tudyk
Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Producers: Christina Chen, Yvett Merino
Screenplay: Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller
Production Design: Ian Gooding
Editors: Claire Simpson, Sam Restivo
Music: Mark Mancina, Opetaia Foaʻi
Running Time: 100 minutes
Release Date: 28th November 2024 (Australia)