REVIEW: ‘Moana 2,’ a flat sequel that fails to set sail

My 9-year-old niece was captivated when we caught Moana 2 at a special advance IMAX laser screening. It rekindled her toddler-years love for Moana (2016), a core memory she’s carried with her ever since.

Eight years later, she likely felt as though she was reuniting with her anti-princess bestie: that brave, beautiful island girl alongside her demigod pal, a clueless chicken, a pig and those sentient coconuts.

I wish I could share her enjoyment, but here’s the sad thing: Moana 2 is all spectacle and no substance. It’s a feast for the eyes that might distract kids for a couple of hours, giving parents time to grab some popcorn and relax. Beneath the surface, though, it barely wades ankle-deep into any real emotion.  

Disney once again flexes its animation muscles — dazzling viewers with lush, hyper-realistic craftsmanship. The glint of sunlight on Moana’s curls. The waters of the fictional island of Motunui glow in striking shades of turquoise. Even Maui’s (Dwayne Johnson) tattoos remain a striking element. 

But beneath these impressive visuals, the sequel feels like a blatant attempt to capitalize on the Moana fandom. With a plot as stagnant as a windless sea, watching it is like staring at a Moana merch display at the mall — pretty on the surface but ultimately shallow.  

Set three years after the events of the first film, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) is now older, wiser, and a full-fledged celebrity in her island community. The script, penned by Jared Bush, Dana Ledoux Miller and Bek Smith, sends her on a contrived new “quest” to find other tribes connected to the ocean.  

Triggered by a vision from an ancestor, her mission is to locate the mystical sunken island of Motufetu — a premise crafted solely to justify another adventure. The setup mimics a video game, peppered with unremarkable obstacles such as a giant vibrant clam and the pirate-coconuts, culminating in an uninspired final challenge.  

Accompanying her on this voyage is a ragtag trio: the engineer Loto (Rose Matafeo), the grumpy old farmer Kele (David Fane) and the Maui superfan Moni (Hualalai Chung). 

These characters feel like cardboard cutouts, devoid of personality and fail to leave any meaningful impression. Their roles add no emotional depth to the journey. They act as mere accessories, and Maui has been reduced to a has-been mascot. Then, there’s the bat-lady demigod Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), who appears briefly and delivers a forgettable song that does little to inject life into the uninspired narrative.

The absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda is evident, with Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear taking over songwriting duties. But the resulting tracks are weak and lack emotional resonance. The humor lands just as poorly. Even Maui’s return midway through the film feels like encountering a pale imitation of his once-vibrant self, drained of the charisma that made him memorable in the original.  

The biggest issue lies with Moana herself. Gone is the flawed, conflicted, and relatable child from the first film. This version of Moana has become a confident, seasoned “invincible” wayfinder. The lack of struggle, vulnerability, or growth makes her journey predictable and devoid of stakes. Her triumph feels predetermined and robs the narrative of tension.  

Initially conceived as a Disney+ series before being retooled into a feature-length film, Moana 2 — directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller — fails to make waves. While the breathtaking artistry provides visual splendor, the story sinks under the weight of its mediocrity. 

Disney may craft a dazzling façade, but the soul of this sequel has drifted far from shore.

1 out of 5 stars  

Now showing in Philippine cinemas.