On November 27, 2024, the long-anticipated film “Moana 2” hit the screens. The movie came out eight years after the original “Moana,” a widely acclaimed Disney hit. The original movie included famous songs like “How Far I’ll Go,” “Where You Are” and “You’re Welcome,” catchy sing-a-longs written by icon Lin-Manuel Miranda that captured the hearts of kids and adults around the world. With an amazing soundtrack and captivating plot, Moana’s story is about a young Pacific Islander girl who sets out to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her home.
When the new movie hit the theaters, fans wondered, “Does “Moana 2” match the level of the incredible first film?” After careful consideration and analysis of all elements of the movie including the soundtrack, character development and overall plot, we have reached our conclusion.
Neha: Hey, what did you think about the new “Moana 2” movie? I have mixed feelings.
Sanvi: I have to be honest, after watching the movie in theaters, I felt let down but not surprised. The songs seemed bland and unoriginal, there were multiple plot holes and the new characters didn’t contribute much to the storyline. However, I can’t criticize these things without appreciating some of the good elements as well.
Neha: Yeah I agree, that’s how I felt too. I mean what could match the level of the original movie, right? But why did you think the songs were bland? I thought “Beyond” was pretty catchy!
Sanvi: I do agree. “Beyond” was a nice surprise after an underwhelming opening to the movie. The song was quite catchy, especially compared to the rest of the soundtrack, but still did not compare to the original songs. Especially as the first song that was meant to kick off the story, “We’re Back,” was pretty forgettable when it should have been a strong opener. I think overall, this was due to the lack of creativity that was present in the first movie with the original songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. He clearly brought life and originality to the first story’s characters and plot with its soundtrack, molding it into the tale we know and love today.
Neha: My favorite part was the end when they played “We Know The Way,” which was a nice nod to the last movie. It was really emotional and I found myself singing along.
Sanvi: That’s true. “We Know the Way” was such a fun throwback and a great way to end the movie by referencing the unbeatable first film. But enough about the songs. What did you think about the characters in the new film?
Neha: Moana was great as usual, I really liked her development throughout the film and her relationship with Maui, which was stronger. However, I was annoyed at the bat-themed demi-goddess Matangi character, because I thought she was a useless addition and provided nothing for the plot, and her song was mediocre as well.
Sanvi: I agree. At first, she seemed to be a cool new villain in the story but barely had any screen time, and her background was not explained. When it was revealed that she was actually a friend to Moana and her crew, and trapped by the evil God of storms, Nalo, I assumed there would be an explanation about the true villain, however, there was no reasoning behind his motivations. Unlike the first film, Moana 2 lacked a complex villain like Te Kā, the main villain from the first movie.
Neha: I agree. Also, the side characters on Moana’s boat were forgettable and did not contribute much to the plot, although they had their funny moments. I liked Moni, and I think he has the potential to be a strong sidekick to Moana.
Sanvi: Yeah, the side characters Loto and Kele were definitely forgettable, I forgot their names until now except for Moni’s. At first, I thought it was creative to have them join Moana’s quest to make the plot different than the last movie, but they were very underdeveloped. In addition, I thought it was endearing to see the moments of Moana with her sister, however, all their lines together were basically just “Little Sis!” And “Big Sis!”
Neha: I agree, I thought the addition of the little sister was unnecessary and a little corny. Even though the movie wasn’t my favorite, I’m glad I could revisit Moana’s story. I felt a bit of nostalgia for the memories I have of watching the first film and the movie definitely had the whimsical Disney feel that we all crave from time to time!
Sanvi: Although this sequel can’t compare to the first film, I’m glad it was able to bring a new flood of people to theaters to see the magic of Moana’s world as well as incite nostalgia in the hearts of the original viewers. If anything, “Moana 2” allowed us to see Moana grow from a curious young girl to a strong, determined young woman, mirroring the passage of time and life for all young people. Though the newer production might have been lacking in some areas, Moana’s message is still strong, teaching viewers to face the challenges of life and having faith in oneself. Thank you Moana; we know the way now.
