Moana 2 (2024)

The critic finds this a delightful, well-paced sequel that delivers wholesome lessons, strong animation, and emotional appeal, especially for families. She singles out the beautiful animation and the positive audience reaction for praise.

The critic sees it as a solid sequel that delivers joy through familiar favorites, fun new characters, and strong visuals, though it falls short of the original's heights. Cravalho's voice performance and the authentic cultural representation stand out positively.

The film is an exhilarating, romping sequel whose songs outshine those in Wicked, with strong animation and a brisk pace.

The critic calls it a charming, high-standard retread that remains delightful and gorgeous, celebrating Polynesian culture authentically. He singles out the stunning animation and engaging hero Moana for praise while noting it plays it relatively safe.

A worthy sequel with gorgeous animation, thoughtful Polynesian representation, and an exciting adventure for the inspiring hero, though the songs are not as addictive as the original's.

This haphazard sequel is lost at sea, feeling like a second-rate follow-up from its forgettable songs to its thin story, though the vivid animation and ocean visuals provide some enjoyment.

The critic finds it a colourful, laidback ride that pays homage to Polynesian myth but lacks emotional impact and jeopardy due to a wayward script and too many characters. It appeals to young fans despite not innovating.

The review calls it a fun but throwaway sea-sequel that recycles the original's formula without the same freshness or songwriting spark. It praises the dazzling visuals, Polynesian culture celebration, and Moana's character dynamic with Maui.

An okay, above-average kiddie roller-coaster and piece of pure product that is more dutiful than inspired, with songs that lack the indelible magic of the first film.

The review notes beautiful visuals but criticizes the convoluted and stilted story and weaker songs that make the journey feel perfunctory. It highlights Cravalho's lively performance but finds the plot less bold and charming than the first film.

This benign sequel abides by the 'if it ain’t broke' rule and charts a parallel course to its predecessor without the same resonance.

The critic notes Moana and Maui remain dynamic but finds the story a stale rehash of familiar themes. She singles out the dynamic duo for praise while complaining about the lack of freshness in the narrative.

The film is another Disney sequel content to go through the motions, with thin storytelling, little actual adventure, and few memorable songs despite gorgeous visuals.

The critic argues the film lacks the original's fearless spirit and narrative spark, feeling episodic and less inventive despite strong visuals. She singles out the beautiful animation for praise but complains about less catchy songs and a muted overall impact.

The critic finds the sequel a frictionless, algorithmic piece of IP content that lacks genuine passion or heart despite its inoffensive nature.

The film lacks clear stakes, meaningful drama, memorable songs, and compelling antagonists, resulting in a boring, also-ran extension of the IP that feels like a souped-up direct-to-video sequel.

The messy follow-up feels like a soulless, flabby rehash that was not originally intended for cinemas.

Visually joyous with a clear colonial critique, but let down by new songs that lack buoyancy compared to the original's score.

The film occasionally feels episodic due to its TV-series origins but ultimately delivers a spirited and delightful package as a theatrical sequel.

The sequel boasts stunning animation and visuals but suffers from a scattered, shallow narrative that lacks the emotional intimacy of the original and shortchanges supporting characters.

The review finds Moana 2 a solid Disney animated sequel that expands the world and deepens the Moana-Maui relationship, marking the best such film since Encanto. It criticizes the new songs for failing to match the originals and notes the story structure too closely mirrors the first film.

The critic finds the sequel enjoyable and forward-looking despite its origins as a planned series, praising the mature evolution of Moana, strong sibling dynamic with her younger sister Simea, and new songs that suit her character growth. Pacing and crew development suffer from the condensed format, but the film succeeds in themes of community, responsibility, and cultural resonance.

The review sees Moana 2 as mostly a disappointment that adds little beyond one strong new song while relying on serviceable but unmemorable tracks and a disjointed script. It singles out the Motown-infused villain song for praise amid broader complaints about pacing, character work, and failure to match the original's magic.

The critic finds the sequel delivers a firm, satisfying follow-up to the original despite high expectations, with higher stakes and humor that works for the whole family. The universal theme of connection at its heart stands out as a strength, along with strong character banter and new additions like fresh crew members and music.