It’s been a while since Moana’s musical journey of self discovery enthralled audiences. With nothing but her trusty oar and a song in her heart, she braved the ocean, broke a curse, and befriended a demigod. All that adventure put her in a prominent position in her tribe, giving her free reign to embark on an all new excursion where she’ll brave the ocean, break a curse, and hang out with her demigod friend.

The second verse is the same as the first, but Moana 2 has a decent amount of development. Instead of fighting for a chance to prove herself, Moana is older and wiser, taking into account the risks of her globe-trotting ways. As she travels, she longs to connect her people to anyone who might be out there beyond the horizon, but constantly thinks about her loved ones back home.

Thankfully Moana has a few loved ones to take with her. Accompanying her is not just a squawking chicken, but an entire crew. The supporting characters each get their moments to shine and provide more than enough comedy through their growth from islanders to sailors. Moana’s leadership skills get tested with her set of trainees, who come face to face with dangers of the natural world and more.

Moana 2 leans heavily into the weird and wonderful. The characters encounter creatures and beings of all sorts, making for some visually fascinating designs. The most impressive is the tribe of coconut men who present one of the most unexpectedly poignant scenes of the film. Moana 2 has plenty to keep the audience engaged from start to finish, even if the story has so many repeat moments from the original. 

The film’s weakest elements are the ones that feel obligatory. The pairing of Dwayne Johnson’s Maui back together with the title character is a foregone conclusion, even if his inclusion feels forced in a handful of scenes. Complete with a new song that feels like a half baked version of his smash hit You’re Welcome. In general the music of Moana 2 just doesn’t hold a candle to the original. Don’t expect to be humming the soundtrack on your way home from the cinema. 

Moana 2 shines brightest with its story of unification despite differences. Some truly awe inspiring visuals show off a technical prowess that makes the film worthy of a big screen experience, and the characters play well off each other with Moana herself showing why she’s become a cultural icon. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fine sequel, and bound to be a crowd pleaser.

Rating: Half Price