Movie Review: Moana 2

Movie Review: Moana 2                                                                                                                11-27-24

In this movie, Moana is now 19 with a little sister named Simea. While exploring another island, she discovers that before Maui stole the heart of Te Fiti, the people of the ocean were once united, only to be cursed by the thunder god Nalo. Now, with her animal companions Pua and Hei-Hei, along with the grouchy farmer Kele, the brainy but quirky Loto, and Maui super fan Moni, to journey across the ocean to find the island of Motufeti and break the curse.

Moana 2 is a silver lining in Disney’s Post-Revival Era* with outstanding animation, a story that is basically an improved take on Trolls: World Tour, engaging albeit familiar songs, and some funny anachronistic jokes.

'Moannabes' with their own Pua.

Remember the Kakamora, the cocoanut pirates in the first film? Well, in this movie, it’s revealed that they were split from their loved ones, too, and they’ve been searching for Motufeti too. This makes their scene in Moana 1 a lot more interesting, since that means that they were trying to use Te Fiti’s heart to save their kind.

If I were to nitpick about one thing, the villains of the movie Nalo and Matangi feel underutilized. Matangi, in particular, appears in lots of promotional material and even has her own song, but doesn’t seem to have a strong presence on screen. Maybe it’s just me since I didn’t take much notes during the movie. Not to mention that Maui actually doesn't reunite with Moana until at least halfway through the movie.

In conclusion, while it obviously doesn’t hold a torch to the first movie, Moana 2 is still a sea-worthy sequel that the whole family can enjoy. It’s already five times better than another animated sequel this year, the rather disappointing Kung Fu Panda 4. Just be warned that Moana 2 has a shocking climax.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.

Plus four coconuts 

*Walt Disney Animation Studios' history is split into eight sections: Golden Age (1937), Wartime Era (1943-1949), Silver Era (1950-1967), Bronze Era (1970-1988), Renaissance (1989-1999), Post-Renaissance (1999-2008), Revival Era (2009-2016), and Post-Revival Era (2018-present). Right now, we are in the Post-Revival Era. Here's a helpful link below, though it's a bit dated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqKfu_-WZ58