By It has been eight years since Moana (Auli’I Crahhalo) saved her home in the classic movie and now she has returned along with The Demi-God Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save the day once again.
In the new Disney Animated film “Moana 2”, Moana is tasked by her ancestors to sail further than anyone has gone before in order to find a missing island which is the key to their survival.
Moana has searched for others on various islands over the years and learns that they key to survival and contact with others rests with this mythical focal point and will require her to venture where none have ever returned from.
Undaunted; Moana sets out with some friends and her companions Pua and Hei Hei (Alan Tudyk), to seek the fabled locale and learns that it is under the curse and watchful eyes of an evil god who will not allow humans to touch the land and break the curse it has held over them.
Eventually Moana and Maui are reunited as Maui is the key to the plan and the team sets sail for danger and adventure with plenty of music and some comedy along the way.
The movie has a fairly simple plot that while older viewers may question why certain actions were and were not taken; it works well and is one that younger viewers will easily understand and enjoy. While I did not enjoy the music as much this time around as I did not hear show-stopper set pieces like “How Far I’ll Go and “You’re Welcome” this time around and for me; the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music was clear, the work of Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i is spirited and lively and likely will grow on me over time and their work from the first film clearly shows and they have made good choices for those they have worked with this time around.
The animation for the film is stunning from the highly-detailed characters to the oceanic settings; the film is a treat for the eyes, ears, and heart as there are some very touching moments in the film and more than a few tears as well as smiles adorned the faces of those at our screening when the lights came up to appreciative applause. Make sure to stay for the mid-credits scene which teases further adventures as “Moana 2” looks to be another smash hit for Disney and one that the entire family should enjoy.
4 stars out of 5
