I had such high hopes for Moana 2 because I loved the first movie so much, but sadly, it left me deeply disappointed. The music, which was such a standout in the original, fell flat this time. None of the songs were catchy or memorable, which really took away from the magic.
The storyline felt rushed and disjointed. Moana suddenly embarks on a journey to unite different people, but there’s no meaningful backstory or development to explain her mission. Maui’s subplot, where he’s searching for a god who sank an island, felt equally hollow, with very little interaction or depth. The introduction of the “first voyager” seemed promising, but he was just there to point Moana in the right direction. His story could have been fascinating, but it was completely overlooked.
The characters felt lost, with no real sense of direction or purpose. Even Moana herself struggled and became easily discouraged, which didn’t feel true to her character from the first film. The lack of a meaningful confrontation between Moana and the god responsible for her ancestors’ suffering was another missed opportunity to add depth and emotional weight.
Overall, Moana 2 felt like a wasted opportunity. The music was uninspiring, the plot was poorly executed, and it lacked the heart and charm of the original. I hate to say it, but this movie felt like a misstep and not worth the price of a theater ticket. Wait for it to stream if you’re curious, but otherwise, save your money.