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‘Moana 2’ review: more colorful and adventurous
What: ‘‘Moana 2’’ – the highly-anticipated sequel to the beloved Disney animation is more colorful and adventurous.
‘Moana 2’ movie synopsis
Begins after three years from where the first part concluded. Charming wayfinder Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) is hunting for more islands similar to her own Motunui. Moana in her search for islands where people reside, gets an unexpected call from her ancestor Tautai Vasa (Gerald Ramsey) who informs her about the cursed island of Motufetu, which is deserted by the power-hungry god Nalo (Tofiga Fepulea). Due to Nalo’s evil plans, Motufetu gets submerged in the ocean and Moana has to find Matufetu and bring it back to its original place. This will reconnect all the people and Nalo would become weak. In her quest Moana finds her old friend Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) – the demi-god with those cool tattoos.
What happens next?
‘Moana 2’ movie review
The beautiful magical world of Moana is back, the sequel to the adorable Disney animation is more beautiful and more adventurous. The directors - David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller keep the ‘spirit’ of Moana intact in the sequel. New additions like the underworld goddess Matangi (Awhimai Fraser) and the award-winning Kiwi comedienne Rose Matafeo’s as Loto and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda as Moana’s younger sister Simea brings freshness.
A visual delight, ‘Moana 2’ is a family adventure that showcases the vast Pacific Ocean to life with detail, the music score composed by Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foai, along with newcomers Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear moves in harmony but the soundtracks of the original were better.
‘Moana 2’ scores on visuals but loses on depth and emotions. Uneven pacing and lack of genuinely sweeping moments reduces the impact and the danger of a factory sequel looms.
However, the philosophy of connecting everyone together as a ‘whole’ and the overall innocence, charm and vigour of Moana and the amusing and funny energy of Mauli and his cool tattoos make the day for someone who is looking for a harmless family adventure with kids till 11 years of age.
The wonderful voiceovers by Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson ensure that the target audience don’t leave their seat.
Moana is a marvelous character – determined, self-reliant, wayfinder and its always a challenge to surpass the original in its sequel. ‘‘Moana 2’’ doesn’t improve or betters the original ‘Moana’ but it ensures that the lovely sea-faring legacy stays alive and what else would you ask for when after the end credits, the hint of ‘Moana 3’ brings a smile and you are ready to wait for it.
Going with a happy three and a half rating for ‘Moana 2’.
‘Moana 2’ is running in Indian theatres from November 29, 2024.
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma