REVIEW: Moana 2 Falls Flat Compared To Its Predecessor

After a long wait of eight years since the last film in the franchise, Disney released Moana 2 on November 27th.

The film, which is exclusively in theaters, stars Auli'i Cravalho as Moana, the daughter of a Polynesian chieftain, and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, a demi-god she reunites with on a quest to unite people from across the ocean. In this long-awaited sequel, Moana is now a Master Wayfinder who receives a call from her ancestors, urging her to find an island called Motufetu and break an ancient curse cast by Nalo, the God of storms and lightning. Along the way, Moana brings with her a ragtag team, and together, they embark on a perilous journey.

While the movie was entertaining, several factors detracted from its overall enjoyment, making it fall flat compared to other titles in the Disney catalog. However, some students enjoyed it. Shasha Roston (‘28) said, “I did like the movie.” They rated it 8/10, stating, “It did meet my expectations.”

The movie’s first major flaw lies in its lackluster songwriting. While the songs in Moana—from “How Far I’ll Go” to “You’re Welcome”—quickly became cultural staples thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s signature ability to produce irresistible earworms, the sequel suffered due to his absence. Miranda took no part in the songwriting process because of his busy schedule with Mufasa, another upcoming Disney feature. 

While there are some standout numbers like “Beyond,” performed by Auli'i Cravalho, which shines because of its lyrics mixed with upbeat beats, giving it an inspiring feel, the rest of the soundtrack disappoints. The songs are simply too difficult to sing along to, which is usually where much of the appeal of Disney music comes from. Some of the students at Walls agree with this critique. Eloise Linden (‘28) said, “I thought it [Moana 2] was okay—definitely not better than the first movie, and the songs were not as good. I don’t remember any of them, but I was expecting to know at least some of them.”

The film’s second major disappointment lies in its script, whose weaknesses are exposed by a series of ineffective jokes (if one can even call them that) in the first act. Specifically, viewers may be caught off guard by the awkward inclusion of jokes that make a feeble attempt to break the fourth wall and reference cultural discourse around Disney films. For instance, Maui responds to Moana’s line, “I’m not a princess!” with, “Well, a lot of people think you are,” referencing the ongoing discussion about Moana’s status (or lack thereof) as royalty, much like many other heroines in the Disney catalog. While in other contexts this joke might play well, its haphazard inclusion in the middle of the movie may have the effect of taking viewers out of the scene and undermining the overall experience. In short, it feels as though the writers were trying too hard to be funny. Still, the script is strengthened by a few clever nods to its predecessor, Moana.

The movie is largely weighed down by its painfully slow first act, which features extensive dialogue and little action to maintain viewer interest. However, the latter half of the film is its saving grace. After a slow beginning, we meet new creatures, including exciting sea creatures, which bring much-needed entertainment to the film. 

Additionally, in the latter half of the movie, the character of Moana’s father is well-developed, another strength of the film. In the first movie, he doesn’t want her to go out on the ocean, but in the second movie, he supports her in every way. This character development is well done because it shows how her father has grown to trust his daughter and be proud of her as her own person.

The ending shines brightest in an otherwise dull picture. It was powerful and emotional. First, Maui encourages Moana when she feels low, connecting this moment back to the first movie when Maui wanted to give up, and Moana encouraged him. It’s a beautifully executed full-circle moment. After this encouragement, there’s a final battle scene leading up to a moment where all seems lost. This is where Moana has a moment of realization and commits an act of bravery and perseverance. Without giving away spoilers, the ending is the best part of the film, both in terms of action and emotion, leaving viewers with a satisfying feeling that “all is well.”