Like most sequels to beloved Disney animated classics, Moana 2 faces the challenge of living up to its predecessor. However, it has an advantage that many sequels don’t—Dwayne Johnson’s charismatic portrayal of Maui, the macho demigod, who amusingly plays a flaming conch shell in the film.
Eight years ago, Moana captured the hearts of both children and parents with its adventurous protagonist and catchy songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The sequel (★★★ out of four; rated PG; in theaters Wednesday) follows a familiar storyline but offers fresh new characters and a deeper embrace of Pacific Island culture.
Though it doesn’t break as much new ground, the film still shines by making the most of its standout elements: Auli‘i Cravalho returns to give Moana even more depth, while Johnson’s Maui brings plenty of charm and sass, serving as a solid supporting character this time around.
Moana 2 is set three years after the young heroine found her purpose and made “How Far I’ll Go” a song of empowerment for girls everywhere. In the sequel, Moana returns to her home on the island of Motunui, where her father, Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison), officially names her master navigator. When Moana receives a vision from an ancestor, along with the desire to find others like her, she embarks on a new mission: to break the curse of the storm god Nalo and uncover the lost island of Motufetu, which once united the people with the ocean.
Meanwhile, Maui has his own issues with Nalo but is captured by the enigmatic Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), a quirky underworld goddess who commands a group of flying foxes. As Moana embarks on her adventure with a group of inexperienced companions, she eventually tracks down Maui and reunites with him—though it takes some time, their reunion is full of joy. In the first film, Moana helped Maui overcome his existential crisis, but in the sequel, the roles are reversed. Now, it’s Maui’s turn to step up and become Moana’s motivational guide.
“Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” is an energetic, hype-filled song featuring a rap and a “Rocky”-like montage, where Maui helps Moana find her footing. It’s a great follow-up to Maui’s hit song “You’re Welcome.” Along with the powerful opening track “We’re Back” and Auli‘i Cravalho’s show-stopping “Beyond,” “Chee Hoo” stands out as one of the best songs in the sequel. The new music by Grammy-winning duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who gained fame with their “Bridgerton” TikTok musical, offers a more varied sound compared to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs. This shift in musical style is a nice touch, reflecting Moana’s growth from a determined young sailor and rebellious daughter to an aspiring boat captain and cherished older sister.
Auli‘i Cravalho continues to bring depth and emotion to her role as Moana, portraying the determined warrior with a strong, expressive personality who can easily outshine any other Disney princess. Dwayne Johnson is still a joy to watch as Maui, though the focus shifts a bit from their dynamic to Moana’s new team. This includes Maui’s biggest fan and storyteller Moni (Hualālai Chung), the quirky engineer Loto (Rose Matafeo), and the grumpy old farmer Kele (David Fane). Moana’s pet rooster Heihei (Alan Tudyk), also known as Maui’s favorite “Boat Snack,” makes a return, while Pua, her pig companion, plays a more active role in this adventure.
Familiar faces from the original film return, but so do many of the same story elements and plot points. Moana and her team once again encounter the kooky coconut pirates, the Kakamora, in a scene that mirrors the first film, though this time one of the little spear-wielding pirates joins the crew, which adds a nice touch. Moana and Maui also revisit the sequence where they escape from an island full of challenges—this time, it’s a massive clam—in order to reach a new island where they must face a dangerous natural force. The wild-eyed Matangi is a fun new addition, and the film continues its strong commitment to authentic Pacific Island representation, which remains a standout feature of the franchise.
Unlike other animated sequels that drain the charm from their original films, this Moana sequel takes the character in new directions and keeps the spirit of the original alive. There’s talk of a live-action version of the first movie, but there’s still plenty of room for more animated adventures, whether that be a third film or even a Moana series on Disney+. And for that, Moana fans have plenty to look forward to. You’re welcome!
