Spectacular Sights Dazzle But The Film Takes a Familiar Path

Moana, drawn by the voices in her head and the call of “the line where the sky meets the sea,” discovered her true role. What role? Remember the lyrics, “I know everybody on this island has a role on this island. So maybe I can roll with mine.” Part 1 saw Moana not roll with her role only to earn a role whose exploration serves as the basis of Moana 2. Now a Wayfinder, Moana has a duty that takes her beyond the reef, tests her resolve, and her grit, and brings forth the spirit of what Lin Manuel Miranda described as a “young warrior” in his Oscar performance prelude in 2017. 

We missed you, Lin! Lin Manuel Miranda, through his efforts, would be behind the massive footfalls for this visually dazzling sequel. Yes, it was announced that he would not be part of it, but who reads before watching? Do not get me wrong. There are a few, but not everyone would have read up about Miranda’s absence in Moana 2. 

Eight years back (three years in the Moanaverse), Moana of Motunui wanted to answer the call of the line where the sky meets the sea, but this time there was trepidation. Why venture out again, indeed?

One voyage was successful, but the thirst emerges, and it is tough to contain. The studio itself could relate as there would have been an apprehension to a sequel; especially after Joker: Folie à Deux’s reception. Fortunately, Moana sparkles just enough, does not drag too much, and… well… you may feel called to watch it now, as thanks to this article you may have Auli’i Cravalho’s song stuck in your heads. That is if you did not already have it stuck. 

Will this ruin it for you? It did not for me, as it set the mood. However, it can, as nothing would be good enough to live up to the original. The song is what would have remained stuck in your head as you saw posters and props in and around cinemas. It is what remains even beyond the credits, with ‘Beyond’ trying but not trumping its predecessor.  

Moana 2 falls victim to the Double-Edged Sword of Audience Expectations

Moana 2 kicks off at Motunui with Moana and Heihei searching for humans on different islands. It is this quest that drives the film, with the protagonist compelled to do way more than just ensure the survival of her people. She must do what her ancestor Tautai Vasa could not. 

The higher stakes are a positive in Moana 2, which, due to the lengthy gap from the original, will have a slightly mature returning audience. For the rest, there is a rather simple story that can feel like a rehash. Hey, is this not exactly what they did last time? 

Well, yes! At its heart, Moana 2 has the themes from the first film. Courage, the quest for identity, and love for family (and humankind this time)- These were there in the opening film as well. So what is new? A young girl, a reason to leave the island, facing adversity, and so on…? That is a repeat too. And yes, the Kakamora are back too (subtle merchandizing?). That is the thing with a modern-day sequel.

It gets made as people love the original and have certain expectations. But that is pretty much a double-edged sword with storyboards seeing any exploration as veering away from what a core fan would crave and sticking to the template, seeing the film labeled as formulaic. Moana 2, for me, fell into the latter with a few problems.

We do get a new island, a glimpse of the terrifying ocean only enhanced with the 3D, and a few new characters. But even these characters are not really prominent. Would the film lose any steam if someone else apart from Moni, Loto, and Kele made it to the voyage? We do not think so with anyone from the island; well not the ‘Moanabes’ could have been there. 

Dwayne Johnson’s Maui has catchy lines but the character could have been used better

Moni had the potential to really work well with Maui, but unfortunately, the demigod was relegated to singing, shapeshifting, talking to his tattoo, and wanting to discuss Moana’s recruitment strategy. He does a lot in the end (just the demigod stuff) but the in-between stuff and his connection to the non-titular characters was missing.   

Dwayne Johnson has some catchy lines that allow his demigod swag to emerge and position (or re-position) Maui as someone cool at least in this movie, but the 2000 years in the future reference did not work in the film. Yes, talking to the audience is a thing, but saying “probably” would have worked well. 

Auli’i Cravalho’s ‘Beyond’ tries to give us a song, but you would have been thinking of ‘How Far I’ll Go’ as she sang it. The other songs, including Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Can I Get a Chee Hoo’, are just not powerful enough to remain with you; especially if you have heard the original film’s music. Now, you may wonder whether watching the original is necessary if just one song can set the bar so high for a sequel that everything done will only be disappointing. Well, it is necessary as you will be all at sea as Moana drifts across the ocean. 

The final battle worked with David Derrick Jr allowing the silences to play out for an extra split second. These allowed the audience’s expectations to rise only for them to fall flat and let a feeling of disappointment swoop over the cinema. Blue hues in a darkened auditorium leading to a sense of feeling blue only for… do Disney movies on a holiday have a sad ending? If there are, and I do not think there are, they would be far and few betweendi

Moana serves as that one feel-good and uplifting watch. But do not go in expecting an upgrade from the original in any department. On its own, it is watchable and, it could, in the future, be seen as a film that played its role in the grand scheme of things. Every film has a role in a film series. Is that the justification for a faceless antagonist?

PS: Do stay back for the mid-credits.