As a film enthusiast with a heart full of nostalgia for the golden days of Disney animation, I must admit that my initial excitement for “Moana 2” was tinged with a touch of trepidation. The original Moana, voiced brilliantly by Auli’i Cravalho, had left an indelible mark on me, and I feared that this sequel would be just another cash grab, milking the success of its predecessor.
In the 2016 film “Moana,” our spirited Polynesian non-princess heroine successfully vanquished the colossal lava beast Te Kā and restored the heart of Te Fiti, the verdant goddess of nature. Moana, a youthful islander who was inexperienced yet eager, emerged as a navigator, revitalizing her vibrant tropical paradise and learning during her journey that her ancestors had always been explorers. She also formed an alliance with Maui, a quarrelsome demigod with a refrigerator-like physique, helping him regain his strength too. Essentially, “Moana” was a tale of friendship. With all these accomplishments under her belt, you might ponder: What new adventures await Moana in the sequel?
In essence, the plot of “Moana 2” involves a group of talented writers brainstorming challenges for Moana that could potentially save the world. The story kicks off with a disaster, and Moana, brilliantly voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, desires to meet people from different islands. However, she finds out that this isn’t feasible due to a curse placed on Motufetu, an island that once united everyone. (Ignore the question of how an island can unite everyone.) Moana is now compelled to venture across the vast Oceania to lift the curse by battling Nalo.
Instead of labeling it as “Same old story, just a different day,” this narrative seems to resonate with familiar themes. To use the words of Stephen K. Bannon, it could be considered an allegory of globalization. However, unlike the first movie, Moana has already developed into a heroine who has discovered her convictions and self-belief. She’s not undergoing significant personal growth in this sequel. Consequently, “Moana 2” deviates from its predecessor by transforming into an animated action tale with less emphasis on the internal journey of the character.
In “Moana,” I often found the scene where Moana, Maui, and their adorable animal companions (the affectionate pig Pua, the eccentric rooster Heihei) battled against the Kakamora, small coconut pirates reminiscent of souvenirs in a Tahitian novelty shop, to be somewhat slowing down the pace of the movie. In “Moana 2,” Moana, sailing on her sleek, traditional canoe accompanied by a group of seemingly one-dimensional human companions — the rebellious teenager Loto (Rose Matefeo), the grumpy farmer Kele (David Fane), and the starry-eyed young man Moni (Hualālai Chung) who is enamored with Maui, to the point of having a crush on him — encounters the Kakamora once more. However, the sequence that follows becomes the most exhilarating in the movie thus far. They join forces with these coconut raiders to vanquish a colossal clam so massive it’s essentially a mountain split in half. This is an impressive sight to behold, and there are other intriguing creatures in “Moana 2,” such as a towering sea monster or the movie’s equivalent of the lava demon — the god Nalo, a powerful purple energy force residing within ocean tornadoes that emit such intense energy they strip Maui’s tattoos off.
The sequel to “Moana,” titled “Moana 2,” boasts a trio of directors: Ron Clements, John Musker, and Don Hall. These creative minds have made significant contributions in animation-related video games and cartoon writing. They bring the film to life with an impressive technical finesse, a choreography that keeps your eyes engaged and entertained. However, it’s important to note that this production is also a musical, but Lin-Manuel Miranda, who made his Disney songwriting debut with “Moana,” has chosen not to rejoin the team for this project. Given his successful songs from “Moana” like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” it’s understandable why he might feel that he’s already told Moana’s story through song and doesn’t need to retell it, especially since he has further elevated his craft with the more intricate and inspired musical “Encanto.
As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the tunes in “Moana 2” by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear have a vibrant and alluring rhythm, reminiscent of those electrifying island drums, but they often feel like watered-down Lin-Manuel Miranda imitations. The melancholic ocean ballad, “Beyond,” is decent in a generic sense, yet it doesn’t hold a candle to the captivating “How Far I’ll Go.” “What Could Be Better Than This?” offers a mock Lin rap that’s surprisingly good, and “Get Lost” has an infectious hook. However, none of the songs manage to recapture that unforgettable essence that made the story of “Moana” resonate so deeply within us. Maui continues to embody Jack Black after a heavy workout regimen, and Dwayne Johnson’s performance remains his usual irresistible blend of charisma and aggression. The new character, Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser with the spirit of Downtown Julie Brown, is intriguing but underutilized. Additionally, there’s a lot of multi-colored goo in the movie.
The sequel to “Moana,” titled “Moana 2,” is an acceptable film, offering a thrilling ride for children and a somewhat predictable product in the Disney world. While the original “Moana” occasionally soared above expectations, this new installment feels more like a well-oiled machine designed to deliver motivational messages about following your dreams, making it a strong contender for a major holiday blockbuster. The movie’s humor, as exemplified by one of Maui’s witty lines where he tells Moana that although she isn’t a princess, “A lot of people think you are,” can be seen as the film subtly portraying its rebellious heroine while still catering to popular expectations. By this point in the story, Moana seems poised to ascend to the position of island queen, and I suspect that she will soon have the opportunity to do so. Will another tropical disaster, test of resilience, and Maui’s playful antics be far off?
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2024-11-26 20:18