Disney’s Moana 2 made its grand debut on November 27, 2024, in theaters. This movie has invited fans to travel back into the vibrant world of Oceania. Moana 2 starring Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson has already become a hot topic among moviegoers and critics alike.
From its breathtaking visuals to the unforgettable music, there’s a lot to unpack. But does Moana 2 live up to the legacy of its predecessor? Let’s step into the waves of opinions to find out what critics and audiences are saying about this long-awaited return to the ocean
Moana 2 Reviews: Critics Praise the Sequel’s Visuals and Performances
Critics have largely applauded Moana 2 for its engaging storyline and breathtaking animation.
Advertisement India Block of the London Evening Standard praised the sequel, stating,
The animation is even more beautiful, allowing you to see every grain of sand and drop of ocean spray. With artistry this good, it begs the question for why a live-action remake is needed at all.
Brian Truitt of USA Today added,
Even if it’s not as mould-smashing, the sequel still makes good use of its best assets: The terrific Auli‘i Cravalho brings extra depth to lively wayfarer Moana while Johnson lends powerful sass to endlessly buff sidekick Maui.
The return of familiar characters like Moana and Maui, coupled with stunning oceanic landscapes, is a significant highlight for fans and critics alike. Let’s find out what other critics are saying;
Much of the storytelling and world-building in Moana 2 is indeed clever, the rare sequel that expands on its original bent in ways that genuinely make sense … And while Moana 2 might not be rife with all the instant hits of the first film, there are plenty of [original song] bangers on offer here … It’s always a tough ask to improve upon an original, but Moana 2 is a sprightly addition to this sea-faring legacy.
Kate Erbland, IndieWire
There’s nothing particularly terrible about Moana 2, but the fact that it’s necessary to write ‘there’s nothing particularly terrible about Moana 2’ means something still went wrong … One gets the sense that Moana 2 is mostly a set-up for future films in the series. It’s an intellectual property exploitation starter kit, a humdrum act of corporate mandate instead of a story that needed to be told.
William Bibbiani, The Wrap
Moana 2 is an okay movie, an above-average kiddie roller-coaster, and a piece of pure product in a way that the first Moana, at its best, transcended. The new movie wears you down to win you over; it’s a just efficient enough delivery system for follow-your-dreams inspiration to be a major holiday hit.
Owen Gleiberman, Variety
Why Moana 2’s Storyline Is Getting Mixed Reviews?
According to Moana 2 Reviews, this new sequel did justice to its adventurous theme and remained true to its comedic roots. However, some critics think the plot is less appealing than the first movie. Moana 2 is a safe sequel as per Rotten Tomatoes Critics, but lacks the charm and depth of its predecessor.
Tim Grierson of Screen International commented,
What once seemed so effortlessly charming about this young wayfinder forging her own path has, in Part Two, become more convoluted and stilted — it’s a journey that, frustratingly, leads nowhere.
Despite these critiques, Coming Soon’s Jonathan Sim called it an “entertaining experience”. He also mentions;
Moana 2 continuously proves to be a safe sequel that doesn’t take any risky swings but doesn’t disappoint you with poor quality.
“A Family-Friendly Hit”: How Audiences Are Reacting to the Latest Blockbuster?
Fans have also shown some reactions to Moana 2. They have embraced the movie and found nostalgic appeal and lively energy in the movie. According to Moana 2 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie has received an 89% popcorn score. This score highlights the strong audience approval for the movie.
This new season explores the journey of Moana and Maui to the hidden island of Motufetu. On their journey, they face some challenges. These challenges include dealing with a powerful and angry god-like character, who is seeking revenge. This angry character is voiced by Awhimai Fraser.
Here is what the audience is saying:
8/10
This movie was super cute just like the first it is interesting has a lot of comical moments and the mythology and story as it correlates to the mariners and their island life and how Moana’s character arc grows as well as Maui’s is really a great family film that I thoroughly enjoyed watching with my brothers and my son today as a Thanksgiving Memory together. It suits well as a follow-up sequel and the movie is super cute sweet and Adorable. I really liked the fact that they expanded the seafaring adventures for moana to include a full crew as opposed to her venturing out on her own with hey hey and maui as her only companions I found the movie to be thoroughly enjoyable and I think that most audiences and families will as well.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8/10
Surprisingly Fun and Amazing 3D!
GenX reporting in. My 12 year old really wanted to see this one. I liked it more than he did. I was not expecting this level of creative 3D animation! The water comes up in the beach and it looks real. The expresions on the characters faces are off the charts well done. Easy to watch action that was clear. The creature designs were highly creative and super funny. What else do you want in a cartoon? The style and perspectives were very well done. There was only a few songs so that was good for me. This film does get a bit dark towards the end, but doesn’t every Disney film get dark at some point? I may go see it again before the end of it’s run. 8/10.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10
I didn’t think it was possible for the sequel to be better than the original, but I was just proved wrong. Amazing movie for families and I highly recommend this to watch. The cast is the exact same, except for some new characters, which makes it a great movie and allows it to have some similar aspects to the original. The songs are also very well written and I really like them. They almost match up to the original movie’s songs. One thing to note for young kids is that number 2 is a bit scarier than number 1, so just make sure that they’ll be okay watching this one even if they’ve already seen #1.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8/10
It doesn’t match the original story wise, but the animation is superb and there are definitely a few great emotional moments that make it at least worth a watch. Songs are not as catchy As the first one. A lot of things weren’t clear. Moana a demi god now? What happened to the bat lady who was trapped? So many questions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Moana 2 Reviews: Comparing Box Office and Ratings
Generally, Moana 2 reviews received a positive response. But on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, it hasn’t received much appreciation. Especially, when compared to the original movie, Moana 2 reviews seem less impactful. The first installment of this movie has received 95% positive reviews on Tomatometer, and the audience scored 89%. On the other hand, Moana 2 received 70% ratings from critics and 57% on Metacritic.
Fortunately, Moana 2 has performed impressively at the box office. It broke first-day ticket pre-sales records for an animated film in 2024 on Fandango. Industry experts have given an estimation of over $225 million gross on a global opening weekend. They are also expecting a strong holiday performance.
Moana 2’s Breathtaking Animation: A Visual Feast That Elevates the Sequel
One of the most celebrated aspects of Moana 2 is its upgraded animation. The movie has shimmering waves to intricate character designs. This showcases Disney’s mastery of the art form. Critics and audiences agree that the visual appeal alone makes it worth watching.
As Kate Erbland of IndieWire put it,
It’s always a tough ask to improve upon an original, but Moana 2 is a sprightly addition to this sea-faring legacy.”
As Lovia Gyarke of The Hollywood Reporter noted,
Where Moana focused on the relationship between the titular adventurer and her reluctant demigod companion, Moana 2 divides its attention among more characters. These personalities become window dressing in a movie short on time.
If you are excited to watch the movie, you can grab Moana 2 tickets. They are available on online platforms and in local theatres. The film’s popularity has resulted in high demand so hurry up and grab your tickets now.
Fans can soon witness the trailer on Disney+. Meanwhile, enjoy watching other trending shows like Wonderful World Season 1, Renegade Nell Season 1, The Space Race, All Marvel Movies, G-Rated Disney Movies, Star Wars: The Acolyte, ‘Jim Henson Idea Man, and more on Disney+.
FAQs
Moana 2 performed strongly at the box office. According to an estimation, a global opening weekend of over $225 million, reflects significant audience interest.
Yes, Moana 2 is considered a hit. It has high ticket sales, strong fan enthusiasm, and a record-breaking first-day pre-sale performance.
On its opening day, Moana 2 earned an impressive $42 million globally. This set a strong foundation for its box office run.
Yes, Moana 2 was officially announced by Disney. It debuted in theaters on November 27, 2024.
Moana 2 Reviews: A Must-Watch for Families
Though Moana 2 reviews show slightly lower ratings, it is still a much-watch. It especially caters for families looking for an exciting and engaging holiday movie. It has various combinations of adventure, heartwarming moments, and humor. This movie also captures the legacy of the original installment while embarking on a new journey.
Moana 2 is an adventure worth taking, especially if you are revisiting the magical world of Oceania. Those who are watching it for the first time will enjoy the treat. Fans have witnessed how Moana 2 proves that the legacy of Moana is here to stay, from its Rotten Tomatoes scores to its box office success.
Don’t miss out—grab your Moana 2 tickets today and be part of this exciting journey!