Moana 2 review: Moana and Maui remain a dynamic duo, but the story is a stale rehash of familiar themes

When Moana first premiered in 2016, it was adored by critics and audiences alike. There was a rare alchemy of humor and heart in the tale of a young daughter of a Polynesian chief growing up on an island where journeying beyond the reef was forbidden. But that all changes when she is chosen by the ocean itself to restore the heart of the sea to the goddess Te Fiti, stopping a wave of death that leaves their crops as empty husks and their fishing nets empty.

The premise was simple enough, a hero’s journey with some light coming-of-age that saw Moana battle a giant crab and team up with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson’s shape-shifting demi-god Maui to save the day.

Not only did Auli’i Cravalho’s eponymous voice performance become the stunning heart of the film, but Johnson proved to be absolutely perfect casting, leaning into his signature swagger and charm while nailing the punchlines as the arrogant and selfish demi-god who comes to see the error of his ways.

Both of the leads return for sequel Moana 2, which is set three years after the events of the first with the residents of the island now regularly journeying beyond the reef and Moana has further come into her own as a master navigator, now leading a crew. There’s also a new addition to the family, as her parents Tui (Temuera Morrison) and Sina (Nicole Scherzinger) now also have a sweet new adoring sister Simea (Khaleesi Labert-Tsuda).

But all is not well in the turquoise-watered Oceania paradise, and Moana teams back up with her old pal Maui to find the lost island of Motufetu, which has been cursed by the god Nalo. It's down to her to break the curse and reunite her people.

Treading water

The beats it follows are similar to the first but the relationship between Moana and Maui has sweetly evolved, with him affording her the respect she so begrudgingly won in the first film. But unfortunately, this makes for a less funny dynamic between the pair whose previous odd couple antics were a deep well of humor.

And whilst the secondary antagonist in the first film, Jermaine Clements' giant crab who loved all things shiny, was also hilarious, here goddess of the underworld Mantagi (Awhimai Fraser) is less fun. But with Disney having spent so many years with villains who were morally grey or the victims of circumstance, it is refreshing at least to have one that is so straightforwardly diabolical and employs an evil cackle with scenery-chewing aplomb.

It's a shame then that we spend limited time with Mantagi and the rich mythology that surrounds her, instead getting caught up in more shenanigans with the Kakamora, the diminutive coconut warriors from the first film who, while cute, just feel like a stale retreading of what was delightfully fresh when they first came to screens.

A dynamic duo

When you have a duo as dynamic as Moana and Maui, time spent in their company is always going to be a joy, but there is a notable absence in the form of Lin-Manuel Miranda. The composer who wrote bona fide bop 'You’re Welcome' for the first film hasn’t returned, and though 'We’re Back' is a very catchy tune and Maui’s 'Can I Get a Chee Hoo' is solid fun, there is nothing that quite reaches the heady heights of Johnson rapping about his origin story in 'You’re Welcome' or the moving ballad 'How Far I’ll Go' where Moana expressed her longing to see more of the world beyond her island’s shores.

But even if they aren’t quite the earworms of their predecessors, there is still a wonderful cultural specificity to their lyrics, telling tales of ancient Polynesian myths and practices that read as authentic. This extends across the voice cast, with a talented crop of newcomers including Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Awhimai Fraser, whose indigenous roots speak to the film’s commendable commitment to honoring the culture that it draws inspiration from.

It also leaves the door ajar regarding opening up this world further. There are plenty of opportunities to tell more stories from the Oceania treasure trove and there are hints at more installations, and a long speculated Disney+ series coming to fruition would be welcome news.

In the meantime, we know for sure that Moana will actually be taking a step backwards with Johnson reprising his role as Maui in a live-action remake of the first film. That news does scream brazen cash grab and to a certain extent, Moana 2 does not disavow that notion being so similar in form to the first film, also leaning into adorable side characters like Pua the pig, the Kakamora, and Heihei the rooster whose merch with undoubtedly be appearing in many child's Christmas stockings. But Moana herself is a strong enough protagonist, with such a sincere and pure heart of a hero, that you stay rooting for her and for her movies.

Moana 2 is released in US theaters on November 27, before heading to UK shores on November 29. For more upcoming movies, check out our guide to 2024 movie release dates.