Moana 2: What Could Be Better Than This?

08/12/2024

James Lapping (he/him) reviews the newest Disney sequel, highlighting the ground-breaking release of a Māori language version

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Image by IMDb

By James Lapping

Moana made waves across the globe with its initial release in 2016. Now, with this second instalment, the waves are rising once again.

Disney has a track record of inconsistency with sequels to their blockbusters. Naturally, Moana 2 will come under this scrutiny. However, I believe Moana 2 puts these doubts to rest immediately.

Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reprise their roles as the seafaring Moana and demi-god Maui respectively. Again, both of them put in stellar voice acting performances and are joined by a new array of cast and characters that complement the dynamics of humour and melodrama throughout the film.

The premise of this sequel may be simple but is executed with style. Moana wants to reunite the peoples of the ocean, who were separated by the storm god Nalo, all because he wanted to make them weaker. The themes of togetherness and community are maintained throughout the film and are certainly more important than ever in an age of such divisiveness.

Moana’s adventure to bring the islands back together is met with coconut pirates, glowing sea creatures, and moments of madness that are almost Lynchian. Although none of the songs reach the level of ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from the first film, the new inclusions will still have you humming their tunes once the film is over, with “What Could Be Better Than This?’ being a particular highlight.

It is important to note that Moana 2 is way more than just a sequel. Upon opening in cinemas at the end of November, it was simultaneously released with the Indigenous language version - Moana 2 Reo Māori. This is a first in cinematic history. With cinemas across Aotearoa New Zealand showing the Māori language version of the film, speakers of Māori are able to rejoice in seeing their culture portrayed on screen in their own language.

If you enjoyed the first instalment of Moana, then there is no doubt that you will love Moana 2. Moana may not be a Disney Princess, despite what a lot of people think, but her presence on the screen is most definitely noble. Moanabees unite!