REVIEW: 'Moana 2' is a familiar voyage with a few surprises
The first Moana was a fresh take on the Disney formula. Instead of a damsel in distress, their story focused on a strong, independent heroine from Polynesian culture, who was on a journey of self-discovery and finding her connection to the ocean.
Its sequel, Moana 2, still followed the structure of a hero’s journey, but somehow, it felt predictable.
In case you didn't know, Moana 2 was originally supposed to be a Disney+ TV series. The creators—directors David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, with Miller and Jared Bush writing the screenplay—felt that the story they wanted to tell was more suited to a feature film format. Unfortunately, it proved otherwise. The film's pacing felt slightly rushed, resulting in a somewhat condensed narrative.
The general plot points to Moana (Auli'i Cravalho), a young hero venturing on a quest across the vast ocean, exploring islands in search of signs of human life and a legendary island Motufetu. Guided by her grandmother Tala's spirit, Moana, now more confident and idealistic, faces challenges and grows through familiar narrative tropes.
While Moana did find a new crew—Loto, Kele, and Moni—to go along with her, the film rehashes elements from the first, like the comedic confrontation with the Kakamora and the escape from a natural wonder. Moana also was able to accomplish her task, with the help of Maui, no less.
Meanwhile, Maui, the shape-shifting, self-proclaimed demigod from the first film, is one of the most memorable characters in the film—thanks to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s charismatic voice acting. With his complex mix of humor, arrogance, vulnerability, and charm, Maui easily provides comic relief and emotional depth.
The soundtrack is also something to talk about. Songs like Lin-Manuel Miranda's Grammy-winning How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome were hard to forget in the first Moana, but the sequel soundtrack Beyond, while soulful, struggles to match the iconic status of the songs from the first film.
Beyond encapsulates the essence of Moana's journey, resonating with the universal human desire to break free and make a difference. Auli'i Cravalho's powerful performance of this Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear composition is a standout, though it still lacks the catchy hook that made the first film's music a cultural phenomenon.
However, the movie's unique connection to Filipino audiences is undeniable. Gen Z superstar Belle Mariano's rendition of Beyond, titled Anong Daratnan?, marks a historic moment as the first-ever Filipino song featured in a Disney animated film's end credits.
But Disney did it right in some aspects, of course. It made a real effort to respect and showcase Polynesian mythology and traditions, offering a refreshing representation of culture that has been unrepresented in mainstream media. The vibrant colors of the islands, the ocean that feels alive, and the unique art style all contribute to a rich, immersive world.
The visuals were also undeniably stunning as Disney consistently pushed the boundaries of oceanic and mythical landscapes through its action sequences, making the film worth watching on the big screen.
Still, Moana 2 is worth watching. It’s a story of empowerment, embracing your potential, and finding your own way in the world—messages that I believe are as important now as they were when the film was first released. It’s a movie that not only speaks to young audiences but to anyone who has ever questioned their place in the world and yearned for something more.
