Movie Review: ‘Moana 2’

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Review by James Lindorf
Navigating the pandemic, a writer’s strike, and struggling box office returns have been complicated for every studio, but perhaps none more so than Disney post Infinity War Saga. Warner Bros. famously canceled a project for a tax write-off, and projects have been removed from the theaters and sent directly to a streaming platform. However, in rare cases sensing the chance at significant returns, studios have worked in reverse. For instance, “Alien Romulus”, a mid-budget sci-fi adventure, made that change earlier this year, bringing in 350 million during its theatrical run. Now it is time for the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 Disney hit Moana to take that risk with new songwriters and directors, “Moana 2” will now cruise into theaters on November 27th for the long holiday weekend.

Moana is back with a new team of directors, David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, who co-wrote the screenplay with returning writer Jared Bush. In the three years since Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) freed the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and the pair restored the heart of Te Fiti, life on the island of Motunui changed. The people have embraced the land and the sea, but Moana is still exploring alone as the village’s only Wayfinder. When she receives an unexpected call from her ancestors to find the cursed island of Motufetu, it is a task she cannot take on alone. Joining her and Hei Hei this time are Pua the pig, Kele (David Fane), a grumpy master farmer to keep the team in good health, Loto (Rose Matafeo), the village’s canoe builder to help maintain the boat, and Moni (Hualālai Chung) whose brute strength and historical knowledge will help guide and protect the crew. If they hope to defeat Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i), the God of Storms, and the underworld goddess Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), they will need Maui and some unexpected allies to lend a hand. If they are successful, they will reunite the seven seas and the people of Oceania; if they fail, this is where the story of their people will end.

With the vocal cast all returning, “Moana 2” instantly puts its audience in a comfortable place. The familiar voices bring a sense of connection and continuity, making the sequel feel like a warm reunion. While the voices returned, the person most responsible for their most iconic moments in the first film Lin-Manuel Miranda did not. Replacing someone who has been so instrumental to the sound of Disney for the last 10 years is no easy task for songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. The pair did manage to field a soundtrack full of songs that get the job done in the moment but are unlikely to see much of a life outside of the theater, putting it on par with last year’s “Wish.” The main song title, “Beyond,” has hair-raising moments thanks to Cravalho’s vocals. Still, it pales compared to the heart and determination in “How Far I’ll Go,” which is in my top two Disney songs in the last 30 years. Falling short of that level isn’t a failure, it is just a fact for most works produced.

Utilitarian is the best way to describe the music and the story of “Moana 2.” There were several laughs, some thrilling moments, and even a few noticeable tears shed during my screening of the film. The problem is that because the pacing feels so rushed, the emotions feel manipulated out of me and not earned. The whole story feels like it would have been a 6 or even 10-hour season on Disney+, and it has been cut down into an insufficient 100-minute runtime. The crew gears up for a challenge of a lifetime that could literally take that long as the previous wayfinders never found their way back to Motunui. Things progress so quickly and easily the only person who even contemplates eating the animals on board is Maui, who still refers to Hei Hei as “Boat Snack.” The most tragic casualty of the editing is the new character, Matangi. She is full of potential; she even gets one of the movie’s better songs, but in no time, this undersea vampire-like goddess is out of the story, pushed aside for Nalo. Despite her short-lived presence, Matangi’s potential leaves the audience hopeful and intrigued about what could have been.

Thankfully, in a mid-credits scene, we get a hint at what would come next for Moana, and it appears to include more or Matangi, and I am here for it. Nalo also got the full Thanos treatment ready to take things into his own hands should Moana and Maui ever challenge him again. The original ‘Moana’ was a 5 out of 5 praised for its unique storytelling, memorable songs, and intense emotional resonance, which ‘Moana 2’ struggles to replicate. “Moana 2” is a solid 3.5 for being entertaining even though it fails to find that special place the original lived in. However, it does succeed with its beautiful animation. Watching the use of color, how the water flows and splashes, and how their eyes well with tears is special. In time, “Moana 2” will most likely become known as the bridge sequel that gets us from the fantastic original to hopefully a tremendous third entry. Disney should do themselves a favor and decide if they are making a series or a movie now and stick to that decision because well-paced authenticity will always bring more emotion to the story and the songs.

Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Adventure, Animation
Rating: PG (Action/Peril)
Director: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Producer: Yvett Merino Flores, Christina Chen, Osnat Shurer
Screenwriter: Dana Ledoux Miller, Jared Bush
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Runtime: 1h 40m