When Disney surprised fans in February 2024 by announcing a sequel to the beloved Moana, the initial reaction was a mix of excitement and astonishment—especially given the quick release timeline. With Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their iconic roles, many were amazed that the project had been kept completely under wraps, avoiding any leaks before the official reveal. However, enthusiasm began to wane as more details emerged. It was revealed that the sequel had originally been conceived as a Disney+ television series, repurposed into a feature film. This raised concerns among skeptics about whether the story could flow cohesively or if the cherished original would receive the careful treatment it deserved. 

 

Sadly, Moana 2 falls short of expectations. The film struggles in its first half, bogged down by clunky exposition, underwhelming new characters, and juvenile storytelling that feels more like disposable children’s programming than the all-ages magic Disney is known for. While the latter half redeems itself with a powerful emotional arc and a satisfying conclusion worthy of its predecessor, it’s hard to ignore the uneven pacing and missed opportunities that dominate the early portion of the movie. For a sequel to such a cherished film, Moana 2 ultimately feels like it’s sailing on unsteady waters.

 

Three years after the events of the first film, Moana has been journeying across the ocean, visiting various islands in search of other seafaring peoples. Along the way, she discovers the curse of the god Nalo, who has deliberately kept the ocean's communities isolated from one another. Determined to break the curse, she assembles a new crew and sets out on a daring mission.

 

Unfortunately, the stakes in this sequel feel surprisingly low compared to the original. The film never fully conveys why reconnecting with other oceanic peoples is so vital to Moana or her culture. In stark contrast to the first film—where Moana had to save her people and her island while grappling with the immense pressure of becoming a future chief—this new chapter feels like an overextended side quest.  It lacks the emotional depth and urgency that made the original so compelling, leaving the sequel feeling underwhelming by comparison.

 

The film immediately stumbles in its approach to setting up the story, likely due to its origins as a reworked TV show. This awkwardness becomes glaringly obvious in the first 20 minutes, which are bogged down by an overwhelming amount of exposition hastily crammed into the narrative. This approach might have worked in serialized episodes, but in a feature film, it creates a script that relies heavily on telling rather than showing. In stark contrast, the original Moana used visual storytelling to immerse viewers, whether through Moana’s grandmother narrating legends, the young Moana discovering the Heart of Te Fiti, or flashbacks revealing her ancestors’ wayfaring legacy. These moments seamlessly wove exposition into the narrative, making it engaging and meaningful. In Moana 2, however, the introduction feels like an uninspired information dump—less like an enchanting tale and more like a dull meeting summary that could’ve been an email.

 

As part of its other shortcomings, Moana 2 also suffers from an overreliance on recycling plot beats from the first film. Nearly every major scene can be matched with its counterpart in the original. For instance, there’s a moment where Moana teaches her new crew how to sail, mirroring Maui’s mentorship in the first movie. Unfortunately, this scene feels hollow and ultimately goes nowhere, leaving the audience with the impression that the crew serves no real purpose.

 

The film also introduces a slew of new characters—seven in total—creating an overcrowded ensemble that the audience is expected to digest. Unfortunately, none of these characters are given the depth they deserve, leaving them as shallow archetypes with one-dimensional traits. Most of these characters remain by Moana's side throughout the movie, but their presence adds little to the narrative. Rather than enhancing the story, this scene reinforces the sense that the crew exists only for cheap, child-oriented humor. While these moments may entertain younger viewers, they’re unlikely to resonate with adults, who may find themselves rolling their eyes—or worse, nodding off. Instead of recapturing the magic of the original, the poor writing makes the film come across as a shallow corporate cash grab.

 

It’s not until Moana and Maui reunite about halfway through the movie that the clunky “TV-to-film” structure begins to fade. From this point forward, the narrative gains momentum, building toward a finale that is almost on par with the emotional power of the original. The way the film handles its conclusion is stunning—perhaps its strongest aspect—and it goes a long way toward redeeming many of the earlier missteps.

 

Disney movies—Moana in particular—are celebrated for their unforgettable, sing-along tunes. When the original Moana debuted in 2016, it boasted a soundtrack penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda, fresh off the success of Hamilton. Songs like “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” became instant classics, with their catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics lingering in audiences’ minds long after the credits rolled.

 

Unfortunately, Miranda did not return to compose for the sequel, and the absence of his signature magic is clear from the very first song, making most of Moana 2’s music struggle to capture the same level of charm or memorability. The standout musical moment comes with Maui’s solo, “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?”—a track that marks a turning point in the film and is the most memorable of the new songs. However, even this high point pales in comparison to the iconic numbers from the first film, lacking the depth and staying power of Miranda’s work.

 

While Moana 2 stumbles through several glaring missteps, it isn’t a complete disaster. The ending sequence stands out as the film’s strongest element, doing much of the heavy lifting to ensure the overall experience lands as a slight success. However, with an exceptionally rough introduction and a disjointed first half, it’s hard to fault audience members who may struggle to fully forgive the film’s shortcomings—even after reaching its more satisfying conclusion.