Moana 2 (2024)

My Review

“Moana 2” is an animated musical adventure film continuing the story of Moana which began in the original film of 2016. The story of this second installment has Moana journeying to the far seas of Oceana after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. The screenplay by Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller (who also co-directed with David Derrick Jr.) is a bit muddled, so it is best to sit back and enjoy the music and stunning animation, which are the movie’s strong points. The little ones you bring to the theater only care about these distinctives anyway.

The voice cast includes Auli’i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui, as well as Temuera Morrison, Haulalai Chung, Rose Matefeo, David Fane, Rachel House, Nicole Scherzinger, and Alan Tudyk as the pet rooster. The colorful animation is the first project to be completed at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Vancouver studio. The musical score was composed by Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i.

The very watchable “Moana 2” is the third highest grossing film of 2024 for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and The Walt Disney Company. The next projects in the franchise is a live action movie “Moana” (2026) and another animated picture “Moana 3” (to be announced).