Moana 2 Review: Stunning Visuals, Forgettable Songs, and a Missed Opportunity

I finally sat down with my daughter excited to watch Moana 2 last night with high hopes, expecting a sequel that would capture the heart and soul of the original. We waited a long time for the second movie.  We loved the first seeing it over 8 times. The first Moana was a near perfect blend of vibrant Polynesian culture, unforgettable music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and a deeply emotional journey of a young girl who cares about her people but has dreams of her own. Unfortunately, Moana 2 falls short of that magic, leaving me disappointed despite its jaw-dropping animation. While it’s not a bad film, it felt hollow echo, with a soundtrack that fails to resonate and a story that’s already fading from my memory. 

Let’s start with the undeniable highlight; the animation. Moana 2 is a visual masterpiece. The ocean, a character in its own right, shimmers with breathtaking detail its waves crash with intensity, and its bioluminescent glow is mesmerizing. From the lush greenery of Motunui to the stormy chaos of the high seas, and omg the lighting every frame is a testament to Disney’s technical teams. The studio’s work, combined with hand drawn elements like Maui’s animated tattoos, creates a spectacle that demands to be seen on the big screen. I was floored by the sheer beauty of it all, and it’s the one aspect that truly lives up to the original’s legacy.

But where Moana 2 stumbles is in its music and narrative, and the absence of Lin-Manuel Miranda is painfully felt. The original’s soundtrack were emotional powerhouses; think “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome”. 

      “What’s beyond that line, will I cross that line?” “I Am Moana” is a triumphant, tear-jerker about her journey, blending ancestral voices with her self-realization.

       “You’re Welcome” has Dwayne Johnson’s charisma and a hook that’s impossible to shake. 

These earworms burrowed into your heart, carrying Moana’s dreams and struggles with every note. Miranda’s lyrics were clever, emotionally rich, and as a preschool teacher who heard my class play and sing those original songs every day, I can tell you they stuck with you.  In contrast, the songs in Moana 2, penned by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.  Tracks like “Beyond” and “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” are pleasant enough but lack the depth or staying power to linger. I can’t remember a single song right now which is a huge contrast to the first film, where I couldn’t stop singing for days. The songs don’t evoke the same sense of longing, triumph, or cultural resonance, and they fail to propel the story forward with any emotional weight. We felt they were there just to movie the story along and bored us.  It’s a crushing disappointment, especially knowing Miranda was busy with Mufasa: The Lion King and unavailable due to the film’s origins as a Disney+ series.

The story itself is another weak point. Set three years after the first film, Moana 2 follows Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) as she answers a call from her ancestors to find the lost island of Motufetu and break a curse to unite the ocean’s people. She reunites with Maui (Dwayne Johnson) and assembles a crew of new characters, including Loto, Kele, and Moni. My daughter and I were confused to the motley crew who made her voyage more difficult. There was little emotional depth and while we appreciate her relationship with her little sister our eyes rolled at the little sis/big sis segments. We did love grandma visiting to ground Moana through the start of her journey but with that said I barely remember the details already, which is telling for a movie I watched just last night. The new characters are charming but one-dimensional, and even Maui, while still voiced with Johnson’s aggro charm, feels underused or overly goofy at times!

Cravalho remains a standout, her voice now richer at 24, reflecting Moana’s growth into a confident wayfinder and her performance is one of the film’s saving graces.

Ultimately, Moana 2 feels like a missed opportunity. The animation is gorgeous, Miranda’s absence is a glaring flaw his knack for crafting emotionally resonant, culturally authentic earworms could have elevated this sequel to greatness. If you’re a fan and saw both what did you think?