Rating:
Summary: An unexpected theatrical sequel provides an unexpectedly good animated film. While the songs are not as memorable, the story is delightful, the new characters are worthy additions, and the animation is stunning.
Off the success of Inside Out 2, Disney is hoping another animated film brings in the buck for the holiday period. As you have no doubt heard about already, "Moana 2" was originally conceived as a Disney+ series, before the higher-ups at Disney decided it would work too as a film to fill the Thanksgiving vacancy. You know what? Kudos to the Disney executives who made this decision, because Moana 2 is a worthy sequel that deserves its theatrical run.
The story continues on from the end of the first movie, with the village now settled on Motunui, Moana has turned her attention to finding other nearby inhabitants - with no success. She receives a message from her ancestors to break a curse and find the hidden island of Motufetu, which will then become a waypoint for all other peoples of the ocean, so they can all find each other. The story is simple enough, but as usual, there are many obstacles, unexpected enemies and even unexpected friends along the way.
There are hints of the film's Disney+ series origins, but several points in the story feel rushed, while others felt like perfect points for a cliffhanger episode ending. But these are just hints, at no time does the film feel like an inferior product, designed for streaming. This is a proper Disney animated sequel.
The musical numbers, while less memorable than the ones from the first movie, are enjoyable enough while watching the movie although they may not be ones you'll be humming on your way out. Highlights for me include the signature track "Beyond", "Get Lost" by New Zealand musician Awhimai Fraser, and Dwayne Johnson's number "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?" (which is not comparable to "You're Welcome" from the first film, but that was always going to be hard to beat). As someone who didn't think the original "Moana" was on the same level as other Disney animated musicals like "Frozen" or the earlier hand-animated classics, time has changed my mind slightly on the film's music numbers, and perhaps it will happen again with the sequel.
There are also host of new characters, many of which join Moana on her quest. This is appropriate since the first movie's adventure was more about Moana finding out who she is, and this movie's theme is together. Moana's quest to bring the peoples of the ocean together forms the main storyline, and the fact that she has to work together with others, new, old and unexpected, to achieve her goals this time, fits perfectly into this theme. The film feels very much like a post-pandemic film, with the storyline featuring a great disaster that separated the peoples of the world, and now an immense effort to bring everyone back together again for the good of the world.
And yes, the cutest character from the first film, Pua the pet pig, is back. You'll be glad to know that the first film's major flaw, Pua's tiny screen time, is fixed in this movie as he joins Moana on her new adventure. Heihei is still Heihei-ing, you'll also be glad to know. Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Moana's little sister Simea steals the show.
Technical attributes for the animated film are superb. The animation is stunning, and the elaborate action set pieces are well done and never leave you confused or bored.
For those wondering, yes, there is a mid-credit scene.
At the end of the day, the question to ask is "is Moana 2 a good film"? It is, and fans of the first film will definitely find a lot of things to love about the sequel, adults will be entertained, while the young ones new to the concept of animated musicals will also find a lot of enjoyment in "Moana 2".
"Moana 2" is in cinemas 28 November 2024. Streaming release date: TBA
