“Moana 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2016 Disney success, has finally hit theaters. Naturally, the announcement of the sequel was met with high expectations, following the original hit. The film promised to deliver more storytelling, catchy music and character bonding. Fans of the original movie have been waiting anxiously to see how the story develops with new characters, plot and music, making many question if it could live up to the hype.
One of the most significant successes of “Moana 2” is its commitment to authentic cultural representation. The respect for Polynesian culture is present throughout the film, with more detailed perspectives on ancient beliefs and storytelling. Disney has once again collaborated with cultural experts and historians to make sure that the film honors the traditions and representations of Moana’s world when bringing in new plot points and characters. One character that captured viewers’ hearts was Moana’s little sister, Simea.
Junior Camilla Pinto shared how she loved the addition of the younger sister to the movie. “I really like her younger sister, I think she’s very cute and it adds another layer of depth to [Moana’s] character,” Pinto said. “[The new characters] makes it feel much more of a movie about a group of people rather than just two people.”
Moana’s growth in her relationships and as a leader is continued and active throughout the story. We see her transform from an adventurous young girl to a wise leader of her people. Moana faces new challenges that test her leadership skills, all with Maui by her side.
Maui also undergoes a character arc, growing beyond his egotistical self to find a more caring and thoughtful demigod. The dynamic between Maui and Moana is one of the film’s biggest highlights, and their interactions remain a fan favorite. Senior Madeline Powell commented on how their duo was her favorite part.
“Personally, I really like Moana and Maui’s duo more than I like the new characters. I just love their duo the most so I was kind of excited that the duo is back and that’s all that matters,” Powell said. “I love how comfortable they are and how much more mature they are […] So I think it just made it a lot more interesting to see their new decisions and choices.”
While the film has its positives, one of the biggest critiques from fans was the music. Lin Manuel-Miranda took a step back from writing music for the movie and the absence of his iconic lyrics and tunes was noticeable. While the music still has catchy tunes and energy, it wasn’t as groundbreaking as the original soundtrack. The absence of a standout song to contrast “How Far I’ll Go” and the callbacks to similar lyrics and melodies from the first movie has led to mixed opinions. Senior Lily Geuther shared her thoughts on the soundtrack.
“I think the music could have been improved,” Geuther said. “It just seemed like a repeat of the first movie with most of the music. Some of the songs were good and they were all fine but bad compared to the first movie.”
“Moana 2” may not completely surpass the popularity and success of the original movie, but it is still an exciting follow up. For both fans of the first film and new viewers, this film sparks an adventurous feeling and takes the audience on a journey of action and self-discovery. While it may have its flaws, the film’s positives make it a worthwhile watch for anyone looking for a fun and inspiring movie experience.
