Disney surprised the audience with the new Moana 2 movie that came out on November 27, 2024 right before Thanksgiving. The movie is one hour and 40 minutes long featuring new characters like Moana’s younger sister, Simea. Moana 2 also features a crew that follows her on her adventure, Kele, Moni, and Loto. All three of these characters have a specific special job on the boat while Moana leads them, soon meeting Maui a little later in the movie.
The plot of Moana 2 is very simple, Moana is called to bring all the people around the sea together on an island. However, the island was sunk by a god named Nallo and her job is to touch the island to reverse the curse that Nallo placed on it. The plot was very fast paced. I felt like the movie had very little adventure and the build up was like the ending just popped in your face after you just sat down to watch the movie. It was very heavy on the characters and very little in action. While watching the movie, I felt like Moana entered their location and end of their mission too easily and quickly.
The Disney songs with Moana 2 were also a bit boring and dull to me. As Disney progresses in their works, a lot of their style in songs all seem to be similar. I personally don’t even remember a song that resonated with me when the movie ended. All of them sounded the same style with no cinematic feeling to it compared to the original first Moana film. In the end of the film after the credits scene, there is a secret clip that Disney added indicating that there is a potential chance of a Moana 3.
The art of the film is still very similar to the art style from the original Moana film. However, the colors on the film are a little more bold and defined. Moana’s facial features are very detailed in every scene with every move she makes, and the movie still fits the island/sea area with the consistent bright colors.
Overall, I would recommend Moana 2 for first time watchers or Disney fans, but I wouldn’t pick to willingly watch it again. I would wait until it comes on to Disney Plus instead of finding it in theaters as well. I rate it a 6/10 based on all of these components and presentation. Although the Moana 2 movie was a good experience, I’d say the original Moana film could not be topped. But with the secret clip at the end indicating a Moana 3, we’ll have to see what Disney awaits for us in the future.
