Even as someone who wasn’t enamored with Moana, it’s clear Moana 2 is a significant downgrade. It lacks the heart, charm, and polish of the original, delivering a drab, forgettable experience that feels like it was made on autopilot.
‘Moana 2’ Review
Moana 2 (2024) is the definition of diminishing returns—an uninspired sequel that exists solely to capitalize on the success of the original without offering anything fresh or compelling. While I wasn’t a huge fan of Moana to begin with, it was at least a polished and well-crafted adventure. Moana 2, on the other hand, is a lifeless cash grab, bogged down by a bland story, forgettable songs, and an overall sense that the filmmakers didn’t put much thought into whether audiences would actually be engaged.
Set three years after the first film, Moana 2 once again follows Auliʻi Cravalho’s Moana, who has settled into life on her island before receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. This sends her on a new voyage with Dwayne Johnson’s Maui and a fresh crew, leading them deep into uncharted waters of Oceania. Their journey brings them into conflict with the film’s antagonist, the demigod Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i), who commands a villainous cloud and is tied to a long-lost island he sank long ago.
On paper, this setup could have worked, but the film never justifies its own existence. Moana, Maui, and the supporting cast don’t evolve in any meaningful way, making it feel like they’re just going through the motions. The story arc is painfully generic, failing to capture the sense of wonder and adventure that defined the original. Worse yet, the songs lack the magic and memorability of Moana’s soundtrack, sounding rushed and uninspired rather than carefully crafted.
The film’s biggest offense, however, is its blatant attempt to force an expanded universe. The post-credits scene teases a larger Moana franchise at play, and instead of feeling exciting, it comes across as cynical and creatively bankrupt. Disney’s worst studio impulses are on full display here, with Moana 2 serving as another reminder of the company’s current trend of prioritizing franchise-building over quality storytelling.
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Even as someone who wasn’t enamored with Moana, it’s clear Moana 2 is a significant downgrade. It lacks the heart, charm, and polish of the original, delivering a drab, forgettable experience that feels like it was made on autopilot. Following the disappointment of Wish and now this, it’s hard to be optimistic about Disney’s animated future.
Rating: 4/10
Moana 2 (2024)
- Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Temuera Morrison, Alan Tudyk, Tofiga Fepulea’i
- Director: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
- Genre: Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
- Runtime: 99 minutes
- Rated: PG
- Release Date: November 27, 2024
