Moana 2 (Christian Movie Review)

Moana 2 is a wholesome and enjoyable sequel, but despite retreading many of the same narrative beats as the original, it’s never able to recapture the same magic.

About the Film 

In recent years, family audiences have developed a complicated relationship with Disney. The failures of the once-invulnerable studio have received plenty of attention (and not undeservingly so), but there have also been some undeniable hits along the way. Frozen may be the most popular, but (in the humble opinion of this reviewer) the best “modern Disney” flick is 2016’s Moana. With endearing characters, a fantastic collection of songs, and an entertaining adventure story, the movie was a total delight. That film was about journeying into uncharted seas, but sometimes—particularly when you’re a floundering movie studio—it’s more prudent to return to familiar shores. Moana 2 is a wholesome and enjoyable sequel, but despite retreading many of the same narrative beats as the original, it’s never able to recapture the same magic. 

The sequel has navigated a circuitous route to reach the big screen. A follow up to Moana was first conceived in 2020 as a multi-episode streaming series for Disney+, before eventually being reworked as a theatrical release. Despite the theatrical glow up, Moana 2 still feels like a streaming show at times. For the most part, the animation looks first-rate and up to modern standards, but beyond the visuals there is a clear dip in quality in most other areas (story, characters, jokes, music, etc.). The story also unfolds in episodic—almost disjointed—fashion, making it easy to imagine where the initial episode breaks would have been.  

As a parent, I understand that for many of you readers the most pressing question is not “is this film artistically excellent?” but rather, “will it entertain my child for a few hours?” Yes, Moana 2 is a perfectly passable animated adventure. My two 9-year-old boys both had a great time with it, as did several young girls in the theater with us (and there’s enough charm for the parents as well). For Christian parents not spooked away by the story’s mythological and spiritual elements, Moana 2 is wholesome entertainment without any of the unwanted surprises that modern Disney has become known for. Still, given the caliber of the original film and nearly a decade of waiting for Disney to craft Moana’s next adventure, audiences are also justified in hoping for something more inspired. Moana 2 feels more like a sequel mandated by executives in a Hollywood boardroom with year-end finances in mind, rather than a project birthed from the creative genius of inspired storytellers. It’s enjoyable, but it lacks the innovative energy of the first film. 

Starting its life as a streaming show meant that not all the original creatives returned for the sequel. No absence is felt more strongly than Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man responsible for some of Disney’s best songs in years in Moana, including hits like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome.” Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear take the songwriting reins for Moana 2, but they’re unable to reach the same musical heights. There are a few decent songs, such as the central tune, “Beyond,” the playful “What Could Be Better Than This?” and Maui’s new solo, “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” But none have the same infectious, sing-along quality or memorability as anything from the original.  

In one sense, the story is overstuffed (another likely byproduct of its episodic roots), with a lot of exposition dumps early on, and several characters and story elements that are dropped and never revisited. At the same time, the plot also follows remarkably close to the original film. Thus, Maui is again introduced by Moana saving him from captivity, there’s a near-identical conflict with the Kakamora (the “coconut” pirates), and a familiar third act that sees Moana needing to sail through stormy water to release a magical island from the powers of a large, angry deity. There’s nostalgic comfort in familiarity, but such a similar narrative can make Moana 2 feel like Disney singing karaoke, offering a new rendition of a far superior original.  

The main difference between the two films is that Moana is now three years older, having already matured and completed her initial hero’s journey. As a character, Moana remains winsome with her spunky resilience and bubbly optimism. She now takes on a leadership role, charged with taking a crew of quirky individuals on the adventure. The new crew members are all fine, but they are continually overshadowed by the returning legacy characters. The character of Maui feels underutilized and doesn’t intersect with Moana until well into the runtime. The relational dynamic between him and Moana that was the heart of the original remains a highlight of the sequel, but they are given less time together as a result of the expanded cast of much less interesting characters.

In the end, whether audiences find Moana 2 to be smooth sailing or bumpy water may depend on how they manage expectations. Parents looking for safe animated entertainment, or kids simply wanting to see their favorite heroine back on the big screen, should find what they’re looking for here. Audiences seeking another inspired Disney classic, however, will be left wanting more. Unfortunately, Moana’s second adventure is more akin to the prior direct-to-video days of The Return of Jafar and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride than it is to the recent inventively-build-upon-the-original days of Inside Out 2. The sea may be calling to Moana to find out how far she’ll go, but if there is a Moana 3 on the horizon, one hopes she will answer that call with more urgency, leaving behind familiar shores to explore something exciting and new.

Being Connected and Working Together

The movie’s central motif is about “being connected.” The theme plays out on a global level with Moana’s position as a “wayfinder” and her mission to connect all the people of the ocean together. The importance of unity/community is also explored in the more limited context of the adventure itself. Unlike the first film, in which Moana leaves her island community to set out on her quest alone, this time she is accompanied by a diverse trio of fellow-adventurers. The crew begins as a collection of individuals, each focused on their own interests and strengths, and Moana—through the help of a few musical numbers—must fashion them into a harmonious team, working as one. Each member retains their individual quirks, but they learn to use their talents to contribute to the communal unit. The Bible urges Christians to be “perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10). We were created to exist in community, each individual an important and valuable part of a larger body (1 Corinthians 12:27).    

Perseverance

One of Moana’s most endearing qualities is her stubborn resilience. As with the first film, perseverance is a prominent theme, although it is explored in a way that may make some parents uncomfortable. A song called, “Get Lost” is initially presented as a classic Disney “villain song”, but the singer is ultimately revealed to have more sympathetic motivations. The lyrics include refrains like this:  

“Get lost, cut loose, and lose your way
There ain’t no fun in holdin’ back, babe
You gotta enjoy the thrill of livin’ dangerously
You’ve got a long, long way to go
Keep playin’ safe, you’ll never know
The rules are ours to break
Come on, babe
It’s time to get lost.” 

Taken at face value, some parents may not be overly thrilled to have their children embracing the song too literally. In the context of the film, however, the song is more of a challenge to not give up. The specific lesson Moana gleans from the encounter is the realization, “There’s always another way.” Less an anthem about living rebelliously, Moana 2 attempts to offer a message about not giving up – about boldly and relentlessly pressing forward to find a solution. Christians can affirm that message. Scripture says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).