Rating: 2.5/5
Synopsis:
Disney’s “Moana” is one of the biggest animated films of the last decade. The music and animation captivated audiences of all ages. Can the sequel strike lightning twice? We catch up with Moana a few years after the original, living out her dream as a wayfinder. She soon receives a message from her ancestors, guiding her out to sea once more. As a new threat looms, Moana must use a new crew to help her succeed in this new journey. But she must rescue her old friend Maui for assistance as well. Can she get the job done?
Positives:
I remember when the first “Moana” hit theaters. It was one of the biggest surprises of the year. The charm, singing, and world building were outstanding. I believe it is one of the best properties Disney has produced in some time. Does “Moana 2” capture that same magic? Well…not quite. But it does have some redeeming qualities. The best reason to see the film is the gorgeous animation on screen. I’d say it’s on par with that of the first, but the continuation of the world building gives audiences some colorful sequences to take in. Seeing the film in 3D enhances this effect, helping the characters pop right off the screen. It was nice seeing Moana and Maui back after nearly eight years. Moana especially had some growing up over the past few years. Fans of the first will enjoy seeing these characters back on screen waiting to set sail on a new adventure.
Negatives:
It pains me to say it, but “Moana 2” is one of the most disappointing movies of the year. While it’s not terrible, it is inferior to the original in nearly every way. The only category that might challenge the first is the animation. But the story, music, voice acting, and emotional resonance all pale in comparison. From the moment the movie began I knew it wouldn’t have the same impact as the first. The production of the film provides an explanation as to why the final product is so underwhelming. Disney originally wanted this to be a series for Disney+, but quickly pivoted to making it a straight to streaming film. It’s only until recently that Bob Iger announced that “Moana 2” would be a theatrical release. The film feels small scale, mirroring the intention of sending it straight to streaming. The clunky execution of the story feels episodic, so the plan of making a TV series shows.
The story is also surprisingly boring. Coming off the fast paced and charming first film, “Moana 2” unfortunately plays it too safe to make any sort of impact. The plot is weaker and the new characters do nothing for Moana’s journey. They felt like forced additions to expand the world she inhabits. Most of them actually rubbed me the wrong way since they ate up crucial screen time, which could have been used to develop a better story. But one of the biggest disappointments would be the musical numbers. The original “Moana” had so many fun and engaging songs that would stay in the audience’s head long after the credits rolled. But I truly cannot remember one song from this film. That goes for the story too, which left almost no impact whatsoever.
Conclusion:
While “Moana 2” isn’t a terrible film, it’s certainly not a good one. Considering it took Disney eight years to produce a sequel, audiences would expect a product that is better than this. Unfortunately this feels like a cash grab to keep a popular franchise alive, putting a memorable story aside to force a sequel into existence. The straight to streaming presentation is evident. Younger audiences might enjoy the colorful animation on screen, but everything else is largely forgettable. With “Moana 3” likely on the way, Disney should take note and develop a stronger story next time because this is inexcusable. “Moana 2” is one of the biggest disappointments of the year. What a shame.
