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.

Moana 2 is now screening at Dendy Cinemas!
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/DisneyAUNZ

Opening only in cinemas on November 28, 2024, “Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foaʻi, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.
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The voice cast also features returning stars Rachel House (Gramma Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui) and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina), as well as Hualālai Chung, David Fane and Rose Matafeo as Moana’s new crew members Moni, Kele and Loto, respectively. Awhimai Fraser voices mysterious new character Matangi; Gerald Ramsey plays Moana’s ancestor, Tautai Vasa; and Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda lends her voice to Moana’s adoring and adorable little sister, Simea.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa‘i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. Jared Bush and Miller are writing the film, which is executive produced by Jennifer Lee, Bush and Johnson.
www.facebook.com/DisneyAUNZ/

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

With music composed by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina, MOANA 2 promises to deliver a soundtrack of unforgettable new songs that are sure to become instant Disney classics.
www.facebook.com/DisneyAUNZ/

Opening only in Cinemas on November 28, 2024, “Moana 2” reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers.

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, “Moana 2” features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foaʻi, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.
www.facebook.com/DisneyPlusAU/

Starting with an almost word for word recreation of the original film, when the first musical number arrives it reminds you that this version is something new. The voices behind those songs are average at best but this does well to sell the illusion that these are high-school kids not professional singers. The lyrical content is also believable.

For a work with mean in the title, this version is decidedly kinder and even more gentle. The personal conflicts are toned down and it is much more inclusive. This is highlighted by a student body far more representative of the day and an interface with social media much less destructive. It still shows the inherent dangers but doesn’t hit you over head with it.

Is the new Mean Girls just a retro blast from the past or is it a valid reinterpretation of the previous work? For those that see this question as important, that misses the point. This film was made for fans of the original as well as trying to allure a new generation of hearts and minds to a work that just wants to entertain and maybe plant a seed or two of the acceptance tree.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS.

New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).

However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).

However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs.

As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.

Mean Girls is coming to Aussie cinemas January 11!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU

From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).

However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs.

As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.

Mean Girls is coming to Aussie cinemas January 11!
www.facebook.com/ParamountPicturesAU