Review: Moana 2

Creating a sequel to a successful film is challenging. It becomes even more complicated when the composer of the original’s unforgettable music departs. So, does this sequel succeed or fail?

The issue with “Moana 2” is that it lacks the substance of the first film. The premise feels flimsy, as it draws inspiration from its predecessor but doesn’t feature a true villain. The entire story seems like a setup for something bigger and better, but it ultimately does not deliver.

In this sequel, Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) is now an established explorer seeking to connect with more people. During her journey, she discovers remnants of a lost civilization. A vision urges her to search for this ancient, hidden land and uncover Polynesia’s cultures. In a subplot, Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) is captured by a witch/bat character named Matangi (played by Awhimai Fraser). Moana sets out to rescue him, hoping to find the lost island and unite everyone.

Moana 2 isn’t terrible; there just isn’t anything that exciting about it. Its best attribute is the music by Barlow & Bear. The duo made waves in the industry with their viral Unnoficial Bridgerton Musical, and now they’re writing for Disney. Their song “Beyond” feels like a 90s power ballad and is refreshing. However, while the songs are good, nothing may be as memorable as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music from the first film.

Moana 2 feels like a smaller movie intended to set the stage for something bigger in the future. Unfortunately, this may not have been the best format for that purpose. Disney Plus would have been a better platform to tell this story and build up to a larger blockbuster. While it’s an enjoyable film with good music and a charming story, there is nothing substantial that makes Moana 2 particularly memorable.