Finding the Way is the tagline for Moana 2, a brilliant sequel to Disney’s Moana, released in 2016. An animated adventure musical, it continues Moana’s journey — now a fearless navigator of the seas. This time, Moana ventures into uncharted waters to reconnect with the people of the ocean.
The film, directed by David Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux, brings back Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as Moana and Maui. Set three years after the original film, Moana embarks on a journey to discover the lost island of Motufetu. She gathers a diverse crew: Loto, a skilled craftswoman; Moni, a historian and Maui fanboy; and Keke, a grumpy yet wise elderly farmer.
After reuniting with Maui, the demigod, they must restore harmony among the ocean’s people and break the curse of the storm god Nalo.
Moana’s sister, Simea, is her voice of reason. She constantly worries about her reckless adventures, much like the audience, which cares deeply for Moana. The sisterly bond is beautifully portrayed, evoking memories of one’s own younger sibling and their constant concern.
Moana 2 continues the tradition of stunning animation that made the original so mesmerising, bringing back the thrill of exploration.
However, the absence of music composer Lin-Manuel Miranda is noticeable, who was busy doing the music for Mufasa: The Lion King. While the new songs are catchy, they lack the signature brilliance of his original score. The new tunes, though catchy, lack the snap of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s original song score and do not give the same quality as the original despite being hummable.
Many people, especially those who found inspiration in her journey, hold a special place in their hearts for Moana.
In the first film, Moana’s character arc revolves around discovering her leadership qualities and challenging traditional gender roles in her community. Now a confident and capable leader, Moana listens to the wisdom of her elders while striving to reconnect with her roots.
Moana 2offers an engaging adventure with positive messages about courage, teamwork and creativity, making it a worthwhile watch for families. A mid-credits scene teases Moana 3, leaving fans eager for the next chapter.
Published in Dawn, Young World, February 8th, 2025
