Disney Animation is a staple in Hollywood. While things at the production house have twisted and turned over the studio’s 100-year history, one thing remains consistent. The names and the styles may change, but year in and year out, a Disney animated film can bring magic to the whole family. With the release of Moana 2, the studio jumps into some unexplored territory, a rare animated sequel that didn’t go straight to home video (or Disney+ for you youngsters, out there). Will Moana 2 ride this wave to glory, or has this boat sprung a leak? Read on.
About Moana 2
Moana 2 continues the story of (you guessed it) Moana (Auli’i Cravalho). Feeling increasingly comfortable with her destiny and role within her village, Moana follows a call from her ancestors. She must track down a long-lost island and beat the curse hanging over it.
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Luckily, she has a certain demi-god friend (Dwayne Johnson) who’s particularly good with curses. Hualalai Chung, Alan Tudyk, David Fane, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement and Nicole Scherzinger co-star in the movie. Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller and David G. Derrick Jr share directing duties with a script by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller.
Truthfully, the biggest inconsistency with Moana 2 is in the music. The first film imprinted itself into the generational consciousness thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s always memorable songwriting style. “How Far I’ll Go” remains in the pantheon of modern Disney classics.
Unfortunately, Miranda was unable to return this time around, and the difference is deeply felt. Mark Mancia and Opetaia Foa’i return to the sequel and are joined by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear as additional songwriters. However, this crew fails to capture the catchy joy of the songs in the first film. In an even more … painful … moment, there are instances where the songs feature “Hamilton-esque” rapping. This only serves to make Miranda’s absence even more noticeable.
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Meanwhile, as it hits theaters this week, Moana 2 exists in a drastically different form than it did less than a year ago. It has been widely discussed that the film sprung to life as a Disney+ series before being turned into a feature release. This is a tricky transition to make, and while the film luckily doesn’t struggle with pacing issues, there’s something clunky here.
There’s still a strong sense of an episodic structure with hints of the TV show it once was. Historically, films like The Return of Jafar, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride and The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea went straight to video, and structure-wise, Moana 2 feels very similar to its animated sequel predecessors. Unfortunately, this narrative just can’t quite carry the film as a fully realized feature.
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At the same time, though, there are a few things that Moana 2 does really well. Critics like yours truly often struggle to remember one thing. This is a family film. Heck, this is a Disney family film. All those Disney elements return, and as a movie for the family this Thanksgiving, it is a heck of a lot of fun if you know where to look.
This is primarily due to the vocal performances. I would not be doing my job if I didn’t call out Alan Tudyk as Heihei the chicken. The talented and versatile Tudyk is quickly becoming a staple in Disney films. He’s unrecognizable each time out, but he often helps make the movie with his mere presence. Dare I say it, is Alan Tudyk becoming this generation’s Mel Blanc?
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Similarly, Auli’i Cravalho brings a bright spunkiness to the pseudo-Disney Princess, and thanks to her, Moana is amazing to watch. In Cravalho’s hands, Moana is strong and independent but, at the same time, relatable. As a woman who grew up idolizing Ariel and Princess Jasmine while hoping to find someone for her very own magic carpet ride, the fact that Moana stands on her own, learns how to be herself and doesn’t need “movie love” is a joy to see. Moana has such life, and it’s due to Auli’i Cravalho’s vocal performance. More of this, please.
Admittedly, yours truly is the jerk who always points out when the computer graphics look a little wonky. I am “that guy.” Disney, however, took huge technological steps with the first Moana, and the same is true here. The computer animation looks better each time out. From the water to the character’s hair and even the serenity of the tropical world-building, these animators continue doing stupendous work. It’s exciting to think where these films are heading from here.
Is Moana 2 a perfect film? No. In truth, it really struggles to stand toe-to-toe with the first film. This is a massive undertaking. However, this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. As a holiday family film, Moana 2 brings a lot of the same silly fun that we’ve come to expect in the long history of Disney Animation. Moana 2 is just fine. The vocal performances shine and it looks immaculate. Keep those expectations in check, but this might be just the ticket for those looking for an easy family treat this week.
Moana 2 is now playing in theaters around the country.
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