Movie Review: Moana 2 – Classic Disney With Some Twists
Movie Review: Moana 2 – Classic Disney With Some Twists
To preface this review, it will start with a warning. If you are easily grossed out by vomit, be forewarned: there are several scenes in which not only does a monster creature vomit, but three times, another character gets that vomit in his mouth. That makes this movie unnecessarily gross, for like the first half hour.
And it would have been quite enough for them to show it the first time and maybe imply it the other two times. Nope; they show it in graphic detail all three times, with full frontal face views – so you can’t possibly miss it. I really didn’t need to see it; the implication would have been sufficient. Maybe pan away while it is happening. Yuck.
If you are grossed out by vomit overall, you might also find the scenes with the monster whose puke is smeared on the spears wielded by the Kakamura creatures (yes, the same ones from the first movie). You learn a lot more about their culture and practices this time around, as they become friends with Moana and her crew, needing their help to restore their own lost culture. The same creature who pukes out the poison vomit also provides the antidote to it – in his slimy body, which he trails across the lucky/unlucky victim of its vomit in order to counteract the effects. Not as gross as the scenes with Maui, but a close second. This would have been much easier to take without the initial Maui vomited-on scenes.
So, that was three paragraphs just warning you about the grossing out part of the first part of the film. Even with that, though, the film was excellent.
The movie starts where the first one left off, maybe a few years after. Moana is known across the world as the Wayfinder, such that even the monsters (like the bat-lady who is holding Maui hostage and is not mortal or subject to any other limitations) know who she is and what she is meant to do. We discover that Maui was trying to reunite the islands across the ocean that were torn apart by a revengeful god Nalo who sank the island of Motufetu and split apart the peoples of the ocean. The only way for these cultures to reunite is if Maui pulls the island from the sea, after which humans MUST land on it in order for the transformation to be complete.
This is all unknown to Moana, who is called on her mission by her own ancestor, who had tried a thousand years before to find this island. The island is called Motufetu, and is crucial to restoring the unity between the many peoples of the sea. Moana is at first on an island not too far from home, where she finds an ancient clay pot. This pot shows that there were people on that island at some point in the past.
Scene from Moana 2. Image Credit – Disney
She returned home, where her little sister, Simea, is waiting for her. Shortly thereafter, she is invited by her people to participate in a ceremony declaring her to be the Wayfinder. During this ceremony, lightning strikes Moana, and she suddenly finds herself in a vision with one of her ancestors. She is told to follow the streaking star, and at the point where it ends, she will find the ancient island of Motufetu. Her little sister does not want her to go, and there is risk that she may not return. But she decides she must go, and assembles a crew. Of individuals among her people who cannot sail. One of them can make boats, and makes the boat for them to take, but the others are a historian (of her people’s history) and a farmer. Her crew does turn out to be perfect for their task, though, even the farmer.
Moana and her crew find their way into the giant clam that sits above the ancient island, and they are able to defeat the creature and voyage into the bowels of the ocean. There, the historian Moni meets his hero, Maui. And can’t get over it, at all. At the same time, Moana is being taken around by the bat-lady who was holding Maui hostage, Matangi. As she had explained to him, without Moana, there was nothing that Maui himself could do. Moana is faced with a choice that can have deadly consequences. If she goes into the cursed ocean, there is no other way out than by defeating the god who put the island there and guards with a terrible storm.
To detail anything further, would be to spoil the ending. This movie teaches important lessons about courage and understanding, as well as the importance of following your heart and being your best self. Moana’s bravery and sacrifice are well-rewarded, and the contributions of Moana’s little sister are really adorable.
This is an excellent adventure, where this time, Maui is the one who has to restore Moana’s faith in herself and her abilities. The music is excellent in this film, with several beautiful tracks. “Can I Get A Chee-Hoo,” by Maui, is a great song, as is “Get Lost.” sung by the demi-god Matangi. The graphics themselves, including the panning and effects, are really very good. However, there are parts that are a bit too well done, and are somewhat dizzying as a result. As with all Disney movies, if you are looking for a really fun movie that also has a great message, this is definitely one to watch.
Simea and Moana in Moana 2. Image Credit – Disney
Simea and Moana in Moana 2. Image Credit – Disney
I would give this film five stars, and recommend it for anyone looking for an adventure:
Banner Image: Scene from Moana 2. Image Credit – Disney
I saw this.
First half of the movie was not my thing.
Second half was better.
Moana was way better. This one was not even close, as sequels often end up being disappointing when the first movie is rally good, like Moana. It was not terrible. But not the best movie ever.