Moana became a firm family favourite when it hit theaters in 2016, snapping up over $643 million at the box office and landing a Certified Fresh score of 95% from critics on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.
The tear-jerking tale of a young woman on an adventure across the ocean to help save her island from a demigod's curse stole hearts with its sweet message and catchy tunes.
Now, eight years later, a sequel is setting sail for theaters with Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson returning to reprise their roles as Moana takes to the ocean once more following an unexpected message from her ancestors.
The first audiences have got their hands on Moana 2, and those early reviews are beginning to roll in. However, fans may be shocked to hear that this sequel isn't hitting with the critics the same way its predecessor did.
"Moana 2 seems more like a consumer product," says Dana Stevens of Slate, with Flickering Myth's Robert Kojder saying, "There is a disappointing, dispiriting narrative flatness to Moana 2, recycling the original's story (but with more characters, wasting them all) with almost no creative passion."
Further criticism comes from Peter Bradshaw at The Guardian, who says Moana 2 is "weirdly lacking in anything genuinely passionate or heartfelt, all managed with frictionless smoothness and algorithmic efficiency."
Despite the critique, the film is currently rated fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 66% from 131 reviews, so there is still a healthy portion of positivity shining through the commentary.
"It's always a tough ask to improve upon an original," says Kate Erbland at indieWire, "but Moana 2 is a sprightly addition to this sea-faring legacy. It does something nearly impossible in our sequel-glutted world: made me want further adventures."
Brian Truitt at USA Today also had a warm response to the film, saying, "Even if it's not as mold-smashing, the sequel still makes good use of its best assets: The terrific Auli'i Cravalho brings extra depth to lively wayfarer Moana while Johnson lends powerful sass to endlessly buff sidekick Maui."
Moana 2 is not the only addition fans are getting to the world of Moana, as next year, a live-action movie with Catherine Laga'aia starring in the titular role alongside Dwayne Johnson will release in the summer.
Images began circulating on social media last week when Johnson was spotted on set.
While you'll have to wait an additional seven months to see more from the live-action Moana, Moana 2 is in theaters now, in time for Thanksgiving weekend.
English (US) ·