A Lanc In Yorkshire (LankyPants)

Initially, I went into the cinema sceptical of Moana 2. A bit like how a parent has a 2nd baby and spends her pregnancy worried she won’t love her 2nd child as much as her first, I was convinced I could never love this movie like the first. The biggest reason I was so sceptical, was because Lin-Manuel Miranda wasn’t returning to compose the music for Moana 2. I absolutely LOVED the music from Moana (and just about any movie Lin-Manuel has composed the music for!) and I was really disappointed to learn he wasn’t returning for Moana 2. However, what Mark Mancini and Opetaia Foa have ensured, is that they stuck to the roots of what made the music in Moana so successful; the same rhythms, themes and even melodies, return in much of the music throughout the film and it’s a special nod to the first Moana movie that was necessary for the 2nd to succeed with Moana lovers. However, there’s also a couple of songs in a new style, that fit in well with the overall score for the movie. It was my biggest reason for dismissing Moana 2 before I’d seen it and I was certainly proved wrong… apart from her shipmate’s rap (but this will definitely be subjective to each listener’s preferences!). So, the music? It’s a big tick from me! (And my 6 year old daughter, who - by the way - prefers Dwayne Johnson’s song “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” In Moana 2, to “You’re Welcome” in Moana) The storyline also pleasantly surprised me. I enjoyed the introduction of the new characters, especially those who join Moana on her journey to rescue Motufetu, as her shipmates; they brought much humour to the movie and were strong characters throughout. However, it wasn’t until Moana and Maui teamed up again, that the movie really took off and became truly enjoyable. The two just don’t work so well on their own and the way the characters bounce off one another, and humour and support each other, is so endearing and enjoyable to watch. The ending was a surprising twist for my 6 year old and it really grabbed her attention. A very fun, adventurous, musical movie with a fascinating view of the cultural ways of the Polynesian people and a great ending that leaves you feeling satisfied as a viewer. Is it as good as the original? For me, no, but the original is my all time favourite Disney movie so make of that what you will! It is definitely a solid follow-up though and we highly recommend it to anyone considering going to see it in the cinema. Well done, team Disney / Moana! 👏🏻 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It’s okay. Not a bad little series to binge if you’re out of ideas but definitely not going to be winning any awards. The ending felt rushed and there were SO many questions left unanswered. I love Vicky McClure and it was great to see her do something different instead of the usual series, working with / in the police, but it wasn’t her best show unfortunately. The ending left me saying “okay, but what about…” over and over. It was okay… ish.

Daughter (5) found it boring and I can see why. It’s lacking a good, solid villain and a feel-good finish. Although some of the humour is good, the plot isn’t the best. It’s just missing something and I’m not sure what it is. There are too many side characters, the plot actually proves Dad was right all along about life beyond the pond being dangerous (since they’re repeatedly put in danger over and over again) there’s no resolution or an ending that sees a real change in the main character… come to think of it, I can’t even say that the Dad was the main character! It could have just as easily been Uncle Duck or their son. It was lacking and definitely didn’t have a feel-good ending. We adore the Descipable Me franchise (and the extended trailer for the 4th looks SO GOOD by the way!!!) but Illumination have failed on this one in my opinion. Some decent humour and a few lovely scenes (the beginning of the movie is actually the best part in my opinion, when the family is all gradually finding the confidence to leave the pond) but no solid lead character, no established villain that the viewer loves to hate, no main character with growth, too much danger over and over again and absolutely no feel-good finish in the ending! Sorry, it’s a big fat nope from us 👎🏻

It had great potential but I found the acting really poor. I could tell it was based on a book before I looked it up online and confirmed it was based on a book. It seemed to move too quickly and it was too far fetched for me; the main characters, who happen to be children, manage to pay the mortgage on a really fancy house in London, all the bills and food / living costs, despite having a bad reputation as a company, no jobs coming in and therefore no wages? Not to mention the plot holes and miraculous ways these kids escape death repeatedly! I feel like it would have been better had they taken it slower, with better actors. It’s a nope from me! 👎🏻