Review: While heartfelt and visually stunning, ‘Moana 2’ Sparkles Less Than It Shines

The vibrant spirit of Polynesia and the thrill of open sea adventures return in “Moana 2,” but this sequel—set three years after the beloved original—struggles to recapture the charm of its predecessor’s humor and catchy tunes. While it offers a heartfelt narrative, it ultimately falls flat.

Opening in theaters on Wednesday, “Moana 2” began its journey as a streaming series before being reimagined for theatrical release. It’s not the film’s visual appeal that’s lacking; in fact, directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller have produced an intricately animated film that surpasses the visuals of 2016’s “Moana.” However, the story feels lost amid a sea of new characters, giving the impression that “Moana 2” was buffeted by the shifting winds of studio expectations and directives, struggling to carve out its own path.

This discrepancy is disappointing, especially considering how “Moana” was one of the most uplifting animated films from Disney in the last decade, perhaps only rivaled by “Encanto,” which also showcased the lively rhythms of songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda. Notably, Miranda’s absence is felt in this sequel, although Thomas Kail, the director of “Hamilton,” is reportedly developing a live-action version of “Moana.”

In recent years, Disney has leaned heavily into photorealistic remakes, making whimsical and imaginative animations like “Moana” feel particularly special. The original movie skillfully blended authentic Pacific Island cultural elements with playful cartoonish features, introducing audiences to characters like a demigod turned into an accidental shark and Jemaine Clement’s flamboyant singing giant crab. The original’s creativity was a resounding win.

In contrast, “Moana 2” begins with Moana, voiced once again by Auli’i Cravalho, as a now-mythic figure among her people, adored for her adventures and her close friendship with Maui (Dwayne Johnson, returning). The story kicks off as she discovers an artifact hinting at a two-peaked island, Motufetu—once a central part of their ancestors’ lore. Determined to unite her scattered people of Oceania, Moana sets sail on a journey with a larger crew this time around.

While familiar faces like Heihei the rooster (voiced by Alan Tudyk) and Pua the pig make a comeback, Moana decides she needs human companions for this mission. The new crew consists of the enthusiastic Maui fan Moni (Hualālai Chung), the inventive Loto (Rose Matefeo), and the grumpy yet wise farmer Kele (David Fane). Unfortunately, these new characters tend to fall flat, lacking depth and vibrant personality, serving more as background than integral parts of the story.

The essence of the original “Moana” is encapsulated in its portrayal of Moana as a lone adventurer, bracing against the winds of the ocean in her canoe. While Maui indeed plays a pivotal role as her comedic sidekick, one longs for the dynamic that is decidedly more about the duo’s adventures than a larger, less compelling crew.

Amid the adventure, Moana and Maui encounter a horde of Kakamora coconuts and eventually find their way to a colossal clam, where Maui has been trapped by Matangai (Awhimai Fraser), a new villainous figure with an intriguing backstory. Her spirited presence adds a spark to the film, and she performs what may be the standout song, “Get Lost,” in a soundtrack that lacks the timelessness of Miranda’s work, with contributions instead from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.

Visually, scenes like the exhilarating encounter with the stormy sea of tornadoes are beautifully rendered, likely to excite younger audiences. Interestingly, “Moana 2” clocks in at a brisk 100 minutes, one hour shorter than