The world being set up in Moana 2 feels more suited to be a television series than a film. That’s because when Disney knows they have a hit, they better get on it fast otherwise it might get Frozen behind. Making computer animated films takes a long time, especially when it concerns figuring out the right story to tell. Here, what’s manufactured feels like it’s done by committee rather than from Jared Bush, the only individual who shares writing credit in both films.
Also, the songs aren’t as catchy as those from the first, and felt too loaded to keep the momentum going. After Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) sings about how much has changed since the events of the last film, she also pines for more adventures with Maui (Dwayne Johnson). One night, she reveals to her little brother that once upon a time, all the island’s various tribes were united, but over time, something caused them all to split apart. Afterwards, she gets a vision to learn why, and she wants to help bring everyone back together!
And to challenge the god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea’i) will not be easy until she can find the demigod. This villain caused the isle of Motufetu to sink, and I immediately thought of Atlantis! Although the circumstances behind that lost civilization’s disappearance are different, the connotations were certainly present. And when this fictional world feels largely rather than be fully inspired by actual Polynesian lore, I didn’t feel as invested as before.
Te Fiti felt more true to what she represented than these other new gods we see in this film. Although some characters, such as Johnson’s, draw upon actual Polynesian deities, this character is based on Tāwhirimātea, the Polynesian god of weather and storms. As for Matangi, he’s more closely related to the Hindu Sarasvati, the goddess of music and learning. What were Bush and co-writer Dana Ledoux Miller thinking?
As much as I wanted to love this film, it didn’t have the same enthusiasm going behind it. Even Johnson is not doing a lot of promotion. And when Disney is sending mixed messages to their fan base by offering a live-action version of the first film after this release, which work are we supposed to care for more?
Anyone not keeping track of whether different versions exist in the same world might get confused. I find Baymax preferable because its transition from film to television is better defined; when the studio focused on the robot, they at least gave him his own show before cancelling it. There are no plans for a sequel to Big Hero Six, which came out 2 years after Moana. For the Disney princess, perhaps it’s best to consider this suggestion, have it on Disney Plus as a successor to Elena of Avalor.
3 Stars out of 5
Moana 2 Trailer
