Jam-packed with amazing visuals and inventive moments of peril, Moana 2 takes cues from Disney’s past but filters it through a thoroughly modern sensibility. There are many animated adventures from the House of Mouse that simply do not hold up to contemporary scrutiny but this work feels timeless in the best possible way.
It shines a light on the richness inherent in many Polynesian cultures and does so with a real sense of joy. Having a voice cast with multicultural backgrounds also adds to its appeal. It even sells (almost) the consummate professional Dwayne Johnson as capable of delivering a musical number, it’s kind of charming.
We pick up the story with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) returning to her home island after an adventure at sea where she discovers a relic that gives her clues that point to her next challenge. She is guided to find a mysterious island that will help her unite people who have a connection to the ocean that has been broken.
This exploit leads to a generous number of very imaginatively conceived moments of jeopardy. These are shown in a lavish and hyper-colourful way that shows the Disney animation approach at its best. There is also an advancement of craft that shows that they are becoming quite adept at being culturally sensitive and entertaining simultaneously. Also as a heads up, there is an end credit extra scene that’s well worth staying for.
Rob Hudson
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