'Moana 2' Movie Review: Disappointingly Shallow Despite Nostalgic Callbacks

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Disney’s sequel to the beloved 2016 animated hit arrives with high expectations and a backstory that reveals its origins as a potential streaming series. What unfolds is a visually stunning yet narratively underwhelming adventure that struggles to capture the magic of its predecessor.

In Moana 2, our loveable and ambitious wayfinder, Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho), embarks on her most perilous journey yet. Three years after her legendary first voyage, Moana receives a mystical summons from her ancestral spirits, compelling her to navigate treacherous, uncharted waters across Oceania. Joined by Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and a diverse crew of unconventional navigators, she confronts an ancient curse threatening to permanently disconnect the ocean’s civilizations, testing her skills, courage, and connection to her cultural heritage.

Moana 2 Movie Trailer

Moana 2 Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

Moana 2‘s animation is breathtaking, with vibrant colors and incredibly detailed backgrounds that bring the oceanic world to life. Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson continue to deliver charming performances, and their chemistry remaining a highlight of the franchise.

However, the movie falls short in critical areas. The story feels fragmented and lacks the cohesive narrative drive of the original film. Musical numbers, while occasionally energetic, fail to leave a lasting impression (it’s painfully apparent that Lin-Manuel Miranda isn’t involved in the soundtrack). The plot seems more like a collection of disconnected episodes than a compelling journey, which makes sense considering the original plan for the property.

The Story

Set three years after the first film, Moana takes on a new quest to lift a curse affecting the island of Motufetu and reconnect with various Oceanian civilizations. She assembles a crew of navigational experts and embarks on an ocean journey, accompanied by Heihei and Pua. The premise promises adventure but ultimately delivers a recycled version of the original film’s plot.

The narrative attempts to explore Moana’s internal conflict about leaving her family, particularly her younger sister, Simea. This potentially interesting character arc gets lost in the film’s meandering storytelling. Additionally, the movie introduces intriguing elements – like encounters with ancestral spirits and mysterious characters – but fails to develop them meaningfully.

The Voice Performances

Auli’i Cravalho remains the standout, her powerful voice bringing emotional depth to Moana’s character. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui, delivering a charismatic performance that occasionally taps into his WWE showmanship. Their individual voice performances are strong, but the character development feels stagnant compared to the first film.

The supporting cast also adds some variety, but most characters feel underdeveloped and quickly abandoned. The film seems more interested in introducing new characters than giving them substantial roles in the story.

Overall Thoughts

Moana 2 feels like a missed opportunity. While younger viewers might enjoy the colorful visuals and familiar characters, older audiences will likely find the sequel lacking substance. The film seems caught between its original series concept and a feature-length movie, resulting in a disjointed narrative.

The movie’s greatest sin is its lack of originality. Instead of expanding the world and characters introduced in the first film, it retreads familiar ground with less heart and innovation. The callbacks to the original film’s songs and plot points feels like a lack of confidence in the new material.

Despite its beautiful animation and occasional moments of charm, Moana 2 ultimately feels like a commercial exercise rather than a meaningful continuation of Moana’s story. It reminds us that not every successful animated film needs a sequel, especially one that doesn’t offer something new.