A film that only recently shot up on my radar as I had no idea that Moana 2 was even getting a sequel!  I know, I’m the worst film reviewer ever! 

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
After hearing the rather abrupt and sudden news I instantly shot down for an early morning IMAX screening of this Walt Disney Animation Studios follow-up as Moana and Maui are off on another adventure together.
I feel as though some films don’t warrant a sequel and I feel confident in saying that Moana is firmly in the mix of films that didn’t need a sequel but with Disney films like Frozen II out there scooping up billions at the box office I can see why these films are greenlit.

IMAX certainly gives any animated movie a real quality gloss and edge to it and it’s no different with Moana 2 as the animations are stunningly beautiful. The vibrancy of the screen is eye-widening as I look on in awe of the incredibly talented individuals who work tirelessly to bring these films to life.
Moana 2 sadly feels like a dip in quality in terms of storytelling because we’ve been here before. There’s nothing new or boundary-pushing that helps the story along it plays it far too close to the original for it to become anything new, standout or exciting.
It very much feels like one of those holiday spin-off movies that you get on Disney+ at Christmas time that simply leans into a new narrative but never strays too far from the original film its derived from and this is where Moana 2 stumbles compared to Frozen 2, Frozen had legs within its story to branch out whereas Moana sadly doesn’t have that.

Setting it years after the first film we’re almost told everything we need to know within the first 20 minutes of the movie but we have a few new catchy numbers to keep us entertained throughout and once again, the songs just aren’t as catchy or as re-listenable as the original and that’s simply because the bar was set too high with Moana.
Songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda didn’t return for the sequel and it shows but the songs are still enough to get you by and despite it not living up to the original it’s still fun.
I feel as though to combat the lack of a narrative-driven story we’re throwing up a whole host of new characters in a desperate pick-and-mix attempt to get fans to connect with even one of them to drive merchandise sales and some sort of angle to keep the Disney train churning.

They’re one-dimensional characters and you can’t invest in anyone else new on-screen except Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuada) who is Moana’s little sister who is the exact character mentioned above that fans will love.
Other than a storm nothing is challenging Moana during this movie and whilst it looks beautiful there’s no real depth to this story other than Moana battling like an animated Greta Thunberg to quell the storm. I felt like I was back at EPCOT at Walt Disney World front and centre inside the Moana Journey of Water attraction! 
Despite its flaws the film’s celebration of Polynesian culture is always endearing to me, in the same vain as Coco celebrates Mexican culture there’s just a real appreciation and worldly respect for how the film portrays them.

But, one thing I will say categorically right now is, to ignore Dwayne Johnson. DO NOT sing in the cinemas for crying out loud!
Imagine going to watch any film and people are talking throughout the film ruining your experience, now couple that with people singing the songs you see on-screen and how annoying that would be.
People aren’t performers, you honestly think that people will stop singing the second the song stops? No. The chatter ensues and then continues and then the next song comes along and away they go again.

Living in Stoke on Trent, if anyone dared to sing like that in ANY film they’d be getting some very stern words thrown their way, that’s a promise. If you’re going to a Moana 2 IMAX screening I doubt anyone would be able to hear you sing anyways as the speakers are so loud and immersive in there that it can drown out even whispers amongst the crowd! Ah, bliss. 
Some movies have singing-specific screenings and if you want to belt out every song on the soundtrack then go to one of those screenings where everyone is there for the same reason. Don’t disturb a perfectly normal screening with your banshee-style vocals for everyone.
Whilst he means well I thought this was very ridiculous advice from someone who usually watches the dailies or film in a private room with executives and other talent. Nice, quiet and professional.

Don’t ruin it for everyone else Dwayne.
Just be a little courteous towards others around you, and read the room.
I’d say a Moana 2 IMAX screening is the best choice to view this film in, I feel as though IMAX adds that extra sheen and quality to any animated film and with the sound system pumping out any new soundtrack, there’s no better way to watch it! 

Our Rating

Summary
Moana 2 certainly plays it safe but still manages to deliver fun in all the right places. Whilst I feel as though the narrative is quite flimsy there’s just enough here to keep fans happy despite it feeling very much of an extended cut to the original as opposed to a standalone feature.
With the film already on track to earn 3-4 times its budget, it feels as though this model of making lower-quality movies (in my opinion) with massive box office success seems to be the way forward. Expect many, MANY more of these films to come.