Moana 2 Review: A Sequel That Outshines the Original with Better Plot and Character Development
Spoiler Warning: This post contains spoilers for Moana 2. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and want to avoid spoilers, bookmark this post and come back later!
Let’s be honest: Disney hasn’t exactly hit it out of the park with its recent films. I’ve been disappointed by the last few releases, so I went into Moana 2 with low expectations. Would it be another cash grab? Would it fall flat like some other sequels?
Funny enough, I actually enjoyed Moana 2 much more than the first movie! While I didn’t hate Moana, it didn’t feel particularly compelling to me. Everything I found lacking in the first film was improved in the sequel.
Why Moana 2 Stands Out
Unlike the first movie’s typical coming-of-age storyline—where the main character must “find themselves,” overcome self-doubt, and step into leadership—Moana 2 skips those clichés. Moana is already an established leader who knows her purpose. She’s confident, skilled, and ready to explore new challenges.
If you haven’t seen the first Moana movie, I’d recommend watching it before diving into this sequel. It provides important context for the story.
World-Building and Plot
One of the strongest aspects of Moana 2 is its expanded world-building. The movie takes us beyond the familiar Polynesian islands and explores new lands and cultures. Moana’s journey begins when she has a vision of her people being destroyed unless she unites the islands. Fueled by this vision, she sets off on an ambitious mission to prevent disaster.
She assembles a team of unique characters, including a farmer, a builder, a historian, and a mapmaker, to help her navigate uncharted waters. Along the way, she reconnects with the coconut people, who bring hilarious moments with their quirky humor and clever “adult” jokes that will likely go over kids’ heads but leave adults laughing.
Moana’s journey also leads her to Maui, who has been battling a god. Maui’s character arc mirrors Moana’s from the first movie—he learns to let go of his ego and trust others. Together, they face new challenges, including a cursed witch character who surprisingly turns out to be an ally.
High-Stakes Adventure
The movie’s climax involves a daring attempt to lift an island from the sea. During this sequence, Moana is electrocuted, leading to an emotional moment where she seemingly becomes a demi-god. The stakes are higher, the action is more intense, and the storytelling feels more layered than the original.
What stood out most to me was how Moana’s leadership evolved. Instead of just “fixing things” on her own, she focuses on bringing people together and fostering collaboration. The movie also explores the histories and connections between the different islands, creating a richer narrative tapestry.
Music and Humor
The music in Moana 2 was enjoyable, particularly the song “Beyond,” which felt more impactful than many of the songs from the first movie. While the soundtrack didn’t stand out as much as, say, Frozen’s or Encanto’s, it fit well within the story.
The humor in this sequel was a highlight for me. The jokes were sharper, funnier, and more creative, making the movie feel more entertaining overall.
Final Thoughts
For me, Moana 2 surpassed the original in nearly every way. The plot was more engaging, the stakes were higher, and the character development felt more meaningful. While some may prefer the original for its simplicity and charm, I appreciated how the sequel expanded the story and deepened Moana’s role as a leader.
Oh, and don’t miss the end-credit scene! It offers a fun tease for what’s next. If there’s a Moana 3, I’m excited to see where Disney takes this character and her evolving journey.
What did you think of Moana 2? Did it live up to your expectations? Share your thoughts below!
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