--- title: "Moana 2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/moana-2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/moana-2" critics_score: 56 critics_reviews: 20 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Moana 2 (2024): what the critics said Critics' score 56 from 20 reviews: 7 positive, 8 mixed, 5 negative. The reviews lean mixed, with about as many critics finding it a pleasant enough sequel as finding it a tired one. Where praise lands, it lands in the same places: the animation, especially the water and the light on it, is admired almost universally, and Auliʻi Cravalho’s voice work and the sparring between Moana and Maui are singled out again and again. Several critics also credit the care taken with Polynesian culture and myth. The reservations cluster just as tightly. Most critics say the new songs do not come close to the first film’s, and many find the story a rerun of the original with more characters and less jeopardy. Its origins as a planned television series come up repeatedly as an explanation for the episodic feel. The spread is wide: The Telegraph rates it an exhilarating four stars, while The Times calls it a soulless rehash never meant for cinemas and The Guardian dismisses it as passionless product. ## Evening Standard — India Block Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 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. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/moana-2-review-maui-dwayne-johnson-b1196400.html) ## Little White Lies — Yasmine Kandil Rating 3/4/3. 28 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/moana-2) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. The film is an exhilarating, romping sequel whose songs outshine those in Wicked, with strong animation and a brisk pace. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/moana-2-review-dwayne-johnson/) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/moana-2/) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2024-11-27/moana-2-review-sequel-dwayne-johnson-animation-disney) ## The AV Club — Jacob Oller Rating C+. 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/moana-2-review) ## Radio Times — James Mottram Rating 3/5. 27 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/moana-2-review/) ## Time Out — Phil de Semlyen Rating 3/5. 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/moana-2-review-2024) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://au.variety.com/2024/film/reviews/moana-2-review-dwayne-johnson-auli-i-cravalho-2-18898/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/moana-2-review/5199480.article) ## The New York Times — Natalia Winkelman Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2024. This benign sequel abides by the 'if it ain’t broke' rule and charts a parallel course to its predecessor without the same resonance. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/27/movies/moana-2-review.html) ## Total Film — Leila Latif Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/animation-movies/moana-2-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Brian Tallerico Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moana-2-disney-film-review) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/moana-2-review-lost-magic-3400342) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. The critic finds the sequel a frictionless, algorithmic piece of IP content that lacks genuine passion or heart despite its inoffensive nature. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/26/moana-2-review-vacuum-packed-disney-ocean-adventure-that-will-leave-you-cold) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/moana-2-review-whats-a-girl-gotta-do-to-get-some-conflict.html) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. The messy follow-up feels like a soulless, flabby rehash that was not originally intended for cinemas. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/moana-2-review-disneys-soulless-sequel-is-a-flabby-rehash-fms8l067g) ## Financial Times — Simran Hans Rating ★★★☆☆. 26 November 2024. Visually joyous with a clear colonial critique, but let down by new songs that lack buoyancy compared to the original's score. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/f3f43d8a-49f7-4f6f-b441-4ccecc1062f6) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland 26 November 2024. The film occasionally feels episodic due to its TV-series origins but ultimately delivers a spirited and delightful package as a theatrical sequel. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/moana-2-review-disney-sequel-1235069079/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Lovia Gyarkye 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/moana-2-review-disney-dwayne-johnson-aulii-cravalho-1236070676/) ## Collider — Ross Bonaime Rating 7/10. 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/moana-2-review/) ## /Film — BJ Colangelo Rating 7/10. 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1723102/disney-moana-2-review/) ## Polygon — Matt Patches Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/review/485444/moana-2-review-songs/) ## Deadline — Dessi Gomez 26 November 2024. 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. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2024/11/moana-2-review-disney-sequel-1236187846/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/moana-2.md