Running Time: 100 minutes
This feature from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures opens exclusively in cinemas and on IMAX on November 27th.
While this reviewer tends not to dole out personal details while reviewing a movie, on rare occasions I can’t help myself. I attended a preview of the sequel Moana 2 with a three-year-old. Yes, she is definitely a bit young for this picture, but did enjoy large chunks of the first one, particularly the songs, and tolerated the more chilling aspects of its tense climax. So, she came along for this one. This follow-up follows the leads on a new, but in some ways similar adventure that is darker than the previous effort. If this film were being rated solely on its visuals, it would receive a hearty recommendation. However, the story comes up short and the final product lacks the charm of the original.
A few years after the events of the original story, Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) has taken up the position of “Wayfinder” for her island village. Her dream is to discover other human settlements like their own and bring everyone together. She begins having jarring visions that suggest, should she not succeed in her goal at some hazy point in the future, all those from her homeland will disappear. Moana forms a small crew and sails out to find a hidden isle of ancestors called Motufetu, which could help her locate others. Unfortunately, the locale has been cursed by a god called Nalo, making the journey incredibly dangerous. In order to find her way, Moana asks demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) for this help.
As expected, the animation is spectacular. The characters, including their hair and facial expressions, are even more impressively articulated in this effort than the previous entry. There are impressive shots through the ocean water as it splits and shows Moana walking through dry areas. In fact, every shot involving waves and the ocean looks incredible. The movie also launches the characters on a visually spectacular sailing journey in which they encounter bizarre monsters. A few, like giant eels with bright glowing light sources on their bodies, are striking to behold. There are no criticisms to be made regarding the look of the picture.
The screenplay, however, is another matter. My minor quibble with the first picture is that the animal characters were only used for sight gags and served no essential story purpose. That hasn’t been addressed in this sequel. Again, the animals are largely oblivious to events or in need of rescue and it still feels like a wasted opportunity. And the plot itself bears similarities to the original story as well. Viewers are told that the island is in danger, but the specifics are vague this time around, which doesn’t add tension to the proceedings.
The big miss comes with the Maui character. This fan favorite does have a few fun lines and one decent musical number, but is pushed to the sidelines for half of the running time. Again, some of the best moments from the original involved interactions between the demigod and protagonist. Keeping them apart for so long is an ill-advised choice. Instead, most of the back-and-forth occurs between Moana and her crew, and less of the humor lands. And central villain Nalo takes the form of a violent storm cloud, which doesn’t allow for any interactions or verbal confrontations between the characters.
Instead, the tone in this follow-up is darker, with Moana doubting her abilities and the seemingly impossible task that is thrust upon her. The film doesn’t have as much zip or life to it, lending a grimmer tone that will likely scare younger tots rather than entertain them.
The visuals on display are breathtaking, but the overall mood didn’t resonate with the child sitting next to me. Towards the end of the second act, she actually whispered, “Dada, let’s go see a different movie.” It’s clear that she’s definitely the daughter of a movie critic. Anyway, the little one did leave (with my wife), while I watched the finale alone. Readers should note this film isn’t for any child under the age of five. But truth be told, I didn’t hear much enthusiasm from older members of the audience either. Moana 2 has a few impressive sights, but is weighed down by its somber tone and doesn’t resonate as strongly as the original.