Jeny Cajaraville

Moana 2 is a visually stunning sequel, but there's something undeniably missing that the first film had in abundance: the infectious and heartfelt music of Lin-Manuel Miranda. His contributions to the original soundtrack—especially songs like "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome"—had a unique energy that elevated the film to another level, blending catchy melodies with deeper emotional resonance. While Moana 2 offers some solid new tunes, they don’t quite capture the same spark. The music feels more conventional, lacking the same lyrical flair and inventive rhythms that Miranda is known for. You can’t help but miss his ability to blend meaningful storytelling with music that sticks in your head for days. It's clear that the film's new composers bring their own charm to the table, but the absence of Miranda’s voice in the soundtrack leaves a noticeable gap. Despite this, Moana 2 still succeeds in other areas, from its beautiful animation to its continued focus on empowering themes. However, for fans who were hoping for that same musical magic, the sequel may feel like it's missing a key ingredient.