Moana was a paper-thin premise that lived up to the hype and became one of Disney’s most epic modern musical animated adventures. Eight years later, will lightning strike twice? This is the music-filled “special look” trailer for Moana 2.
Following the events of the 1st film, Moana (Auli’I Cravalho) is an accomplished sailor leading her tribe across the seas in happiness. Alongside her little sister Simea, Moana lives in happiness until she discovers a map to a forbidden island that could reunite two separated tribes.
Now, alongside a brand new crew including demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), Moana embarks on her most dangerous voyage yet, facing the most dangerous creatures of the ocean in search of a land no one has ever reached. In this epic return to Disney’s musical universe, Moana’s newest adventure threatens to be her last.
Disney’s animated sequels have often felt like diminishing returns. As a viewer, it often feels as if the entertainment giant grows too attached to brand awareness of their original characters, and often feels afraid to add any new dimensions to their characters in fear of alienating potential fans from buying their toys. As a result, Disney sequels often feel like bland retreads of the original films.
Unfortunately, this trailer signifies that Moana 2 will follow the same trend. Matching the original in tone, themes, and even a similar plot of exploration leading to inward “belonging”, Moana 2’s first impression felt largely predictable. Lead stars Cravalho and Johnson are having a ball with their characters, but the film feels afraid to build on their relationship beyond friendship.
While the recent sequel Frozen 2 fell short of expectations, at least it dared to let its protagonists go through different emotional journeys the second time around. While I’m aware the trailer’s main point was to reacquaint audiences with the Moana-verse, they may have played it a little too safe when it comes to intriguing new fans in search of a good story.
Directed by David Derrick Jr & Jason Hand & Dana Ledoux Miller, Moana 2 will release theatrically in the US on November 27, 2024. The movie stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
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