Moana 2 review – Disney’s most intrepid heroine is as sparky as ever

The livewire teen sets sail with a new crew in this vividly realised mythic romp

Disney’s anti-princess, ancient Polynesia’s livewire teenage adventurer Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho), returns in this lush, handsomely animated sequel. Originally intended as a series for Disney+, the story sits relatively comfortably within the feature film format, give or take a bit of missing background information. A mythic romp that unfolds at sea and inside the bioluminescent guts of an immense monster clam, this instalment is set three years after the events of the 2016 original. Moana, a fully paid-up wayfinder gifted with the ability to interact with the waves, has been searching for other island communities, with limited success.

But through a vision she receives an urgent message from the elders. Moana recruits a crew for her canoe catamaran (regular sidekicks the anxious pig and dimwit chicken are joined by an eager fanboy, an axe-happy inventor girl and a sourpuss farmer) and sets out once more, to be reunited with the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who, for reasons not fully explained, has been imprisoned in a bat cave which appears to be located in the clam’s capacious digestive system.

In UK and Irish cinemas

Topics

Moana 2 review – vacuum-packed Disney ocean adventure that will leave you cold

Auli’i Cravalho’s Polynesian princess embarks on a quest to save other islanders oppressed by evil god Nalo – but this frictionless sequel lacks genuine passion. Originally planned as a TV series, ...
World - The Guardian - 4 days ago
Review: In 'Moana 2,' a groundbreaking Disney hero dreams bigger, venturing into new territory

Original voice cast members Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson return, as does the first film's laudable commitment to repping Polynesian culture and empowerment.
Entertainment - Los Angeles Times - 2 days ago
Disney's 'Moana 2' rolling toward history-making Thanksgiving weekend

'Moana 2,' Disney's sequel to the beloved original film, is expected to break Thanksgiving weekend box office records with as much as $200 million in ticket sales.
Entertainment - Los Angeles Times - 21 hours ago
Review: Though earnest and visually dazzling, 'Moana 2' is more dull than so shiny

The warm Polynesian spirit and open-sea sense of adventure is back in “Moana 2,” but little of the original’s humor or catchy songs finds its way into this heartfelt but lackluster sequel set three ...
Entertainment - ABC News - 3 days ago
'Moana 2' makes history by releasing Maori-language version alongside premiere

“Moana 2 Reo Māori” is the first Disney animated feature to premiere in an Indigenous language directly alongside its English-language counterpart.
Top stories - NBC News - 3 days ago
Auli’i Cravalho on ‘Moana 2’ and Making Her Broadway Debut

“Moana” made her a breakout star. Now Cravalho, at 24, is back in the sequel, while also making her Broadway debut and embracing edgier parts.
Top stories - The New York Times - 6 hours ago
Spellbound review – Netflix’s misfiring Disney princess knock-off

An old-fashioned adventure, complete with Alan Menken music, nobly tries to tackle the effect of marital discord on children but never really casts a spell. To commemorate its 100th anniversary ...
World - The Guardian - November 22