"Moana 2" released in theaters to crowds full of excitement and laughter. Moana is back on a new adventure, traveling with Pua the pig and Hei-Hei the chicken.
In this sequel, Moana travels to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unanticipated call from her ancestors. She is tasked with a mission to connect the peoples of the ocean. Moana must break a curse with help of new and old friends alike.
Highs
The highlight in this film is how brave Moana is; she has this characteristic of being selfless to protect her people. She is full of spirit and determination, which intrigues the audience with her adventure. Her bond with her baby sister is another high, considering how she will always be there for her. It is this wholesome bond that leaves the fans in awe.
The amination of this film is a high point because of the incredible quality. The ocean is explicitly vivid and perfectly captures the horrible storm's intensity. The visuals in this film are significantly better than the last film in 2016.
Another highlight is the soundtrack of this film. It is catchy and beautifully done. The song ‘Beyond’ is a personal favorite. Auli’i Caravalho, who plays Moana, performed the song flawlessly. Her vocals are strong and possess this intriguing chorus with the audience singing along.
Awhimai Fraser, who plays Matang, has a song, ‘There’s Another Way,’ which is performed flawlessly. This catchy song takes Moana on an adventure through a world of bats. Her character is also surprising; she gives this villain-like arc when that is not true.
The friendship between Moana and Maui is a high point, considering how much Maui cares for Moana. He is determined to help her and make sure she will be safe. Their connection is beautiful and full of humorous moments that keep the audience laughing. Dwayne Johnson portrayed Maui perfectly. He gives humorous jokes that are much needed during the intense adventure.
The last high is Pua, the pig; he is entertaining and adorable. His reactions to the adventure keep the audience laughing. The coconut-like pirates called the Kakamore are a highlight, considering their hilarious reactions. The one coconut named Kotu joins Moana on this quest, and he is humorous and helpful.
Lows
The lows within this film are minimal. The main low is the character Loto (Rose Matafeo). She can be frustrating because she joins the quest and starts by almost destroying their boat. She possesses this ditsy-like character that can be unnecessary. She helps in specific ways, but can be making the quest worse than it is.
Another low is the background knowledge of the island's entire people. These people were known to be cursed, but how did they become cursed? What happened to them that made them lose their home? If there had been this background knowledge, it would have helped me understand the story.
Verdict
This is an entertaining film that is perfect for children to watch. It has this family-friendly sense that keeps the children laughing and entertained throughout. Disney captured this film perfectly, showing Moana’s next adventure.
Rating: 8 out of 10.
Mariam Fakhreddine is a film and theater reviewer for The Eastern Echo. She has worked as a news and features reporter for The Echo for two years.