Moana 2 brings Disney’s beloved movie back for another ocean-sized adventure. The first film came out in 2016, and now the sequel follows Moana as she receives a mysterious vision calling her to sail beyond the waters of Motunui, once again. The movie focused a lot on Moana stepping fully into her role as a leader, while reconnecting with different island communities beyond the waters.
The movie is filled with very vibrant and catchy songs between the adventures. The strong themes of courage and unity were very beautiful and amazingly sung. It delivers a heartfelt continuation of Moana’s story without losing the spirit of exploration, and the fun that she has during each adventure, no matter how risky.
The only downside I noticed about the movie is how rushed the scenes are. It doesn’t ruin the movie at all, but it does make parts of it feel like they’re missing the depth that made the first Moana so powerful. The original gave scenes time to settle, and that is what I feel gave the movie a strong meaning. The sequel has a heart but sometimes doesn’t give itself enough time to let that heart fully show. If it were slowed down a bit or spent more time on the meaningful and emotional moments, it would have delivered a bigger emotional connection closer to the first film. Instead, it sometimes feels like the movie is racing against its own runtime.
Moana being on this adventure alone was one of the best things about this movie. Not only did her pets Pua and Heihei join her once again, but new crew members did also. My personal favorite was Moni, for being a hilariously big fanboy of the demigod Maui. Throughout the whole movie, he was very passionate about his culture, and he was a culture teller, telling past historical stories. At the time that he got to meet Maui, he got extremely excited and starstruck. He treated him like a hero or celebrity, which combined humor with his genuine admiration.
With stunning animation, catchy music, and a heartwarming story, Moana 2 proves that the adventure is just as magical the second time around. It is a must-watch for anyone who loves action, friendship, and a journey that will leave you cheering for every wave.
