Disney’s latest animated adventure shines visually but struggles to stay afloat narratively.
By Bob Tremblay/Boston Movie News
Another week, another cash grab. Last week, it was “Gladiator II,” the follow-up to the 2000 classic. This week, it’s “Moana 2,” a sequel to the 2016 original. Neither one has any reason to exist other than to make money. But many people like to see the same film multiple times, so Hollywood is only too happy to oblige.
Folks, you can count on one hand—OK, maybe two—the number of prequels, sequels, and remakes that are better or of equal value to the original. “Gladiator II” certainly isn’t, and neither is “Moana 2.” The good news is the latter isn’t as painful to sit through as the former. And it’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes long. “Gladiator II” goes on for an excruciating two hours and 28 minutes. And yet it made $55.5 million in its first week. Expect “Moana 2” to rake in the dough, too. Familiarity breeds big bucks. Who needs artistic integrity?
For those unfamiliar with the first animated film, the setting is ancient Polynesia, and Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) is a plucky young woman (she was about 16 in the original) with a zest for adventure. Here, she goes on a mission to break an evil god’s curse on a hidden island, or her people will suffer dire consequences. Talk about raising the stakes. Not only that, but she might also discover and connect with other island people.
Before she hits the high seas, Moana interacts with her family, including her loving parents, her adorable younger sister, and the spirit of her beloved grandmother. This is at least that rare Disney film where neither parent gets killed. We also get not one but two animal sidekicks—a rooster and a pig. These are Disney staples.
For this journey, acting on her mother’s advice, Moana assembles a crew with little purpose other than providing comic relief. This is called padding the story; unfortunately, more isn’t always merrier. I challenge anyone who watches the movie to name the three crew members. For the record, they are Loto (voice of Rose Matafeo, she’s the brainy one), Kele (voice of David Fane, he’s the grumpy one, a character likely designed as a demographic tool to appeal to the senior set who take their grandchildren to the movie) and Moni (voice of Hualalai Chung, he’s the island historian and a big fan of Maui). Can’t forget Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson). He’s back, too. Here, he’s run afoul of Matangi (voice of Awhimai Fraser), an underworld goddess with a fondness for bats. Don’t ask.
On the journey, Moana and crew run into the Kakamora, a horde of coconut-clad pirates, a very large clam, sea monsters, and a violent storm with tornadoes and lame subplots. Maui tells Moana that her mission is doomed for failure, but this heroine forges on. Did I say she was plucky? All they have to do is get by the storm so that Maui can raise the island from the sea and have Moana touch it to break the curse. Then peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars. Are you following all of this, kids?
Anyway, the youthful target audience is not likely to care about such niceties as a coherent plot. There’s plenty of action and goop-puking critters to keep them entertained. Maui’s moving tattoo provides the film’s comic highlights.
The songs by Mark Mancina, Opetaia Foa’i, Abigail Barlow, and Emily Bear (the latter two replace Lin-Manuel Miranda) are serviceable yet not particularly memorable. Tough to replace Miranda. David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller (all making their feature directorial debuts) replace the original directors John Musker and Ron Clements. Jared Bush is back as screenwriter. He shares duties this time with Miller. The script adheres to the action film format, complete with the apparent defeat. Maui gets most of the best lines.
What “Moana 2” has going for it are dazzling visuals. This film looks great. The two leads try their best to keep the boat afloat, too. Note to parents: while the film is rated PG, some scenes might scare young children.
Finally, don’t exit the theater too quickly. Remember that evil god, the one we never see? Well, he makes an appearance as the final credits roll. And you know what that means. Yes, “Moana 3.” Pass the Dramamine.
Bob Tremblay is the former film critic for the MetroWest Daily News in Framingham, Mass.
‘Moana 2’
Rating: PG for action and peril.
Cast: Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson
Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller
Writers: Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller
Running time: 100 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters Wednesday
Grade: C+
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