Critics Offer Mixed Reviews for Moana 2, Often Comparing it to Original

Film critics have largely characterized “Moana 2,” the follow-up to Disney’s animated musical “Moana,” as a commendable film, though generally not on par with its 2016 predecessor. The Telegraph granted the sequel four stars, labeling it a “giddily animated triumph.” Empire also assigned a four-star rating, noting that the new movie is “a touch less fresh than the original” yet “still bursting with energy, emotion, warmth and imagination.” Conversely, The Guardian gave “Moana 2” two stars, stating that “this frictionless sequel lacks genuine passion.” Peter Bradshaw, a critic for the newspaper, characterized it as “a vacuum-packed slice of digital IP content, a perky ChatGPT iteration of love, laughter and belonging.” He further commented, “It is all inoffensive enough, but weirdly lacking in anything genuinely passionate or heartfelt, all managed with frictionless smoothness and algorithmic efficiency.” The initial narrative, which followed an adventurous Polynesian girl embarking on a quest to rescue her community, achieved significant box office success eight years prior. “Moana 2” brings back its titular character, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, alongside Dwayne Johnson’s demigod Maui, for a new journey aimed at liberating other islanders from the oppression of the evil god Nalo. They are accompanied by a group Disney describes as “unlikely seafarers,” specifically Moni (Hualālai Chung), Loto (Rose Matafeo), and Kele (David Fane). Owen Gleiberman of Variety characterized the film as a “more dutiful than inspired sequel which turns into a catchy action fairy tale.” He wrote, “Moana doesn’t have much inner journey left, but the movie has vibrant monsters and a flow of movement that keeps your eyeballs dancing.” He also observed that the new musical numbers “lack that Lin-Manuel Miranda magic” found in the original’s memorable songs such as How Far I’ll Go and You’re Welcome. Gleiberman concluded, “Moana 2 is an okay movie, an above-average kiddie roller-coaster, and a piece of pure product in a way that the first Moana at its best, transcended.” He added, “The new movie wears you down to win you over; it’s a just efficient enough delivery system for follow-your-dreams inspiration to be a major holiday hit.” Tim Robey, writing for The Telegraph, expressed a more favorable view, describing the film as an “exhilarating, romping sequel with songs that put Wicked to shame.” He further stated, “Moana 2 exhilarates with its tunefulness, and absolutely romps along from the moment the heroine gets off the island, bound for another adventure on her trusty outrigger canoe.” Robey noted that the memorable songs in the soundtrack “cluster neatly around entwined themes: spreading your wings versus the tug of homesickness; finding your path but daring also to lose it.” Conversely, the Radio Times commented that the “colourful Disney sequel lacks emotional impact.” James Mottram, who gave the film three stars, wrote, “The follow-up will appeal to the youngest of fans, but parents may find themselves less invested.” Tim Grierson of Screen Daily asserted that the movie was “not as bold as its heroine.” He elaborated, “What once seemed so effortlessly charming about this young wayfinder forging her own path has, in Part Two, become more convoluted and stilted – it’s a journey that, frustratingly, leads nowhere.” Nicholas Barber, a reviewer for BBC Culture, described the sequel as a “solid” endeavor, acknowledging that the first film was “a hard act to follow.” He characterized the second installment as a “hurtling Disneyland rollercoaster ride” that falls short of the joy and refreshing originality of its forerunner. He added, “It comes across as several episodes glued together, each one more outlandish than the last.” The “Moana” sequel was originally considered for a Disney+ series, but its theatrical release has now positioned it for a box office competition with the recently launched first “Wicked” film. “Wicked,” featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, grossed $114m (£90.6m) during its debut weekend in North America. According to Variety, “Moana 2” is also anticipated to perform strongly at the box office, with projections of earning between $135m and $145m (£107m-£115m) this weekend. For its UK premiere on Sunday, London’s Leicester Square was converted into a Polynesian island, featuring palm trees, a beach, and dancers. Johnson encouraged moviegoers to sing along, telling BBC News, “Especially if you love music, that’s the fun part.” A recent discussion has emerged on social media regarding audience participation through singing in cinemas, a topic prompted by the release of “Wicked.”