3,011 / 5,623 (46%)
Moana captured audiences with the story of a younger island girl journeying throughout the ocean to revive the guts of Te Fiti. Her journey with the cocky however charismatic demi-god Maui grew to become a part of the lexicon of households throughout the nation with the help of catchy earworms penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda. With a largely new artistic staff on the helm, how far can Moana’s return voyage go?
Zooming forward a number of years, Moana is a revered wayfinder (and massive sister), and Maui is out demi-godding. Her search now could be to reconnect the folks of the ocean, to seek out proof of their existence, and to reunite all of them. Since she is a proto-princess, this may seem to be nationbuilding, and at first look our precocious Moana does flip her eyes towards increasing her kingdom, however after all Disney avoids the geopolitical issues. As a substitute, with a staff of pals together with a pig, a carpenter, a neighborhood historian, and an aged farmer, Moana units sail to a slightly bland story.
Moana 2 was initially greenlit as a Disney+ collection, which helps clarify its unambitious scope, unimaginative new characters, and middling authentic songs. The brand new director group makes use of Moana’s plot as a template and customarily rehashes its steps as Moana & Firm overcome every impediment to battle the ultimate boss. Solely this rendition lacks a significant character arc, too comfy to push its viewers or characters into any new terrain. Whereas the 2016 movie led to self-discovery for Moana, Maui, Te Kā, and Moana’s entire folks, the 2024 model lacks a definite imaginative and prescient for its characters. As charming as they’re, it merely places them by way of the paces like a throwaway tv episode loved over a TV dinner and as rapidly forgotten.
Nonetheless, all isn’t misplaced. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson are an incredible duo who carry their animated characters totally to life. The songs of Moana 2 are boppy if unmemorable, and little chuckles happen all through. However anybody hoping to expertise the tidal wave of leisure and coronary heart that was the unique Moana can be upset with this languid sequel.
