Eight years ago, Walt Disney Animation Studios brought audiences a story not about a princess but about a strong, young woman who was the daughter of the Chief of the Island of Motunui. Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho; Mean Girls) tried to be a dutiful and obedient daughter but yearned for the ocean. Once she found out her people were ocean wanderers, she sailed off to try and save her island from extinction. After the feature film's success, Disney opted to develop a television series to air on Disney+. However, earlier this year, it was announced the series was being turned into a second feature film, Moana 2.
Returning to Motunui, we find Moana sailing the seas as she was meant to, but still restless. Despite all her success that has helped her island flourish, she still wants more. She believes there are other humans somewhere in the vast ocean, but any attempt to find them is fruitless. During a ritual ceremony, she has visions of her ancestors sailing the seas trying to connect to others until a vengeful god makes it impossible. Once again, Moana must take on a dangerous mission to defeat an angry god, helped by her friends Moni (Hualālai Chung; NCIS: Hawai'i), Loto (Rose Matafeo; Starstruck), Kele (David Fane; Next Goal Wins), Hei Hei (Alan Tudyk; Resident Alien), and of course, Maui (Dwayne Johnson; Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle).
Moana 2 has some big shoes to fill, with the original film grossing $687 million at the box office worldwide. While the sequel will do well this Thanksgiving weekend, it won't surpass its predecessor. The story isn't as strong, and the songs can't compare to those penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) for the first film. However, besides Johnson (who really shouldn't sing), the voice talent is excellent, beginning with Cravalho.
The plot is choppy and feels incomplete. At an hour and forty minutes long, the story is haphazard and, despite coming to an ending point, feels unsatisfying. Coupled with songs that are less catchy than the originals and lack a certain finesse, the sequel ends up being a second-best effort.
Luckily, it isn't all bad. Many jokes hit, including a nod to the famous speech recited by Mel Gibson's William Wallace at the end of Braveheart. Hei Hei is always good for a laugh or two, and he and Pua are adorable. The lighthearted moments in the script make up for some of the weaker points but can't match the first film's heart (pun intended-if you don't get it, watch the first film).
From a technical standpoint, the animation is some of the best I have ever seen. From the texture of Moana's hair, as it blows in the breeze to the weave of the cloth that makes up her clothes, the attention to detail is astounding. The colors pop off the screen, making the adults in the audience yearn for a tropical vacation.
Moana 2 isn't a bad film overall, but as a sequel to one of the top five highest-grossing animated movies of 2016, it leaves something to be desired. The songs, while offering the same flavor as the first film, aren't nearly as strong or memorable. The story seems like an afterthought that wasn't fully fleshed out and feels more like a vehicle for Moana and Maui to join up again rather than a true story that needs to be told.
Take the kids to see the movie-they will enjoy it, and you'll get a couple of good laughs out of it-but be forewarned that the movie suffers from the sequel slump.
Grade: B-
