A visually stunning yet emotionally lukewarm sequel, Moana 2 brings fresh adventures and characters but struggles to recapture the heartwarming charm of the original Disney masterpiece. Jiya M writes…

Disney’s highly anticipated sequel, Moana 2, returns with breathtaking visuals and a bold storyline set three years after the original. Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) embarks on a new adventure as a grown-up wayfinder, joined by fan favourites like Hei Hei and Pua, as well as exciting new characters, including her adorable little sister. While the film delivers thrilling moments with majestic sea monsters and coconut pirates, it lacks the emotional depth and witty humour that made the 2016 hit unforgettable. Despite a predictable ending, Moana 2 remains a family-friendly delight, celebrating Moana’s empowering independence and captivating fans with dazzling animation. A must-watch for Disney enthusiasts and young adventurers alike!

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced, reads the official synopsis of the film. The sequel reunites Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) three years following the events of the first film.

Everyone adored 2016’s Moana. And now she’s back for another adventure, in the much-anticipated sequel, with her old friend, the demigod Maui, of course.

Moana 2 is set three years after the original, with a new storyline that follows Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) who has grown up and taken a new identity of a wayfinder, must venture into the uncharted seas once again to search for the island of Motu Fetu, but this time, Moana’s not alone. Apart from the comical chicken Hei Hei and the shy little pig Pua, we are introduced to several new characters, that join Moana as her crew on the brand-new adventure. There’s an eager Maui fanboy, a bubbly inventor girl, and a sourpuss old farmer, before all of them are reunited with demigod Maui.

I can’t not mention the most adorable and memorable character of all, Moana’s little sister, who, along with her big sister, add a beautiful, new emotion to the screen.

I watched the movie with a friend just one day after its release in India’s theatres, and to be completely honest, it didn’t quite recapture the magic of the original. The songs were decent, and there weren’t as many laugh-out-loud moments like the first one. Critics called it uninspiring, and lacking emotional connections, and heartwarming moments.

The majestic sea monsters and the coconut pirates that made a reappearance in the film did keep it very entertaining, but Moana 2 tried to unpack a lot at once in the film, and it lacked innovation and the witty humour we loved in the first one.

 

In my opinion, the ending was way too predictable, and it failed to reach the high expectations I had when I walked into the theatre. Nevertheless, I did enjoy every second of the movie, because it’s absolutely perfect to watch with your friends or family, especially for little kids.

Disney fans adore Moana for many reasons, but the best one is that she isn’t the kind of princess who’s a damsel in distress waiting for her Prince Charming, and the movie reminds us, especially the little girls who love Moana, that she is a queen all by herself.

The movie is definitely worth a watch, perhaps not for its music or depth of sea adventure, but for its breathtakingly brilliant visuals and memorable characters.

Go grab a ticket for Moana 2 now! 

What happened in the original Moana (2016)?

In 2016, audiences were introduced to the adventurous sailor who wanted to go beyond the barrier reef surrounding her island from the moment viewers met her. Her father Chief Tui forbid her to do so because he knew how dangerous things were. But to save her declining island from starvation, drought and disease, Moana took the emerald gemstone offered to her by her friend The Ocean and sought out the demigod Maui to make him take her to Te Fiti in order to return the heart of the earthly goddess. The film began with the shape-shifting antagonist stealing the fertile land’s heart and causing the blight that spread to the other islands.