Moana 2 Review: Disney film embarks on an exciting adventure but gets lost in shallow waters

Moana 2 Review: The sequel to the beloved 2016 Disney film releases on November 29, 2024. Is the film worth watching? Read to know our thoughts on the same.

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 film Moana. The first animated Disney musical adventure film struck a chord with the audience for its distinctive storytelling, songs, and visuals. The story of self-discovery left a significant impact. After 8 years, the sequel has arrived, raising the question of whether it still holds the same magic. If you're interested in finding out the same, continue reading this space.

Moana 2 Movie Review
Releasing in: Theatres
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Director: David Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller
Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole, Nicole Scherzinger

Rating :2.5 out of 5

What is it about?

The events of Moana 2 take place three years after the first film. Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) has now a bigger purpose to serve as the Wayfinder. She must locate individuals on a cursed island, fulfilling her ancestor's desire to do so. If she fails to do the same, it could lead to a tragic end for the people of her island in Motunui. Our girl is pumped up to get on this big adventure full of challenges with some company this time, and she also gets great help from Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). Will she succeed in finding life beyond their island and saving her tribe? It's something to look forward to.

Moana 2 Review: What's hot?

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledou Miller, the film starts off on an intriguing note by hinting that our protagonists have to deal with darker forces this time. The opening scenes showcasing Motunui culture and the moments between Moana and her baby sister are incredibly touching. Seeing how the past, present, and future are connected and the quest to find life beyond the ocean shows the curiosity and strength of human beings. It's something we often see in such animated Disney films.

What keeps one glued to the screen are the stunning visuals that sometimes give you Avatar vibes. Characters like Loto, Kele, and Moni join the mission to find life beyond their island, often providing much-needed comic relief. I appreciated the introduction of characters beyond Moana and Maui, which prevented their friendship from becoming monotonous.

Moana 2 Review: What's Not?

The excitement about finding more people and breaking the abandoned island curse of Motufetu must've sounded fascinating on paper, but the execution was extremely dull. The screenplay, written by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller, offers us no pivotal or thrilling moment. The sail towards the adventure that is teased in the first 20 minutes, loses its anchor and is lost in shallow waters, thus making the narrative fall flat. Even Moana and Maui's reunion fails to evoke any emotion due to the underwhelming nature of the entire sequence preceding it. What set the first movie apart was the way our protagonists discovered new aspects of themselves while on a mission to save lives. The second film lacks a clear purpose, and hence, it fails to affect us in any way. Even the "heartbreaking" moment in the climax scene fails to shake you due to the linearity of the plot, which leaves no space for anything compelling.

The 2016 film was also loved for its wonderful songs. In the sequel, except for What Could Be Better Than This, none of the songs make you feel delighted.

Watch the Moana 2 Trailer

Final Thoughts

Overall, Moana 2 hints at a riveting mission for our protagonists, but the narrative falls flat and never picks up the pace. The music is underwhelming, and even though the visuals are outstanding, they cannot compensate for a lacklustre story. However, it would be a fun watch for the kids. However, if you're an adult fan of the prequel, you'll constantly crave the emotional depth and learning that the first film offered.

Our verdict: Go with fewer expectations if you love the first film.