Moana 2 was released on Wednesday, November 27th to theaters. Once news came out that there was going to be a second movie, people were delighted. Since the first movie was a big success, fans had very high expectations for the second movie. More information about the movie was released through the trailer, such as who was producing the music and the new characters that were going to be introduced.
The first thing about the movie that led to mixed controversy was the plot. Many viewers thought that the plot was very put together and led the story to work out perfectly, and fans appreciated the fact that Moana got to have a younger sister during this movie. This part of the movie resonated with people who had a younger or older sibling age difference in their life. Since age difference siblings don’t often get shown in movies or shows, getting recognized in this movie was relatable to viewers. Another part of the plot that many people admired is the grandmother’s returning role in the movie. This particularly struck with viewers that lost a grandparent. It also added to the emotional aspect of the movie for the viewers that experienced the loss of a grandparent. The plot also shows the growth of the friendship between Maui and Moana, which made people appreciate the movie even more.
Even though there were many fans that enjoyed the plot, there were also viewers who didn’t think the movie lived up to its predecessor. One of the aspects that caused mixed feelings was Moana’s little sister, as people believed she did not play an important role in this movie. Many believed the little sister was holding Moana back from her journey and duties. Those that didn’t really enjoy the movie thought that it was rushed and lacked a well-written plot. Many viewers also felt there were movie scenes that did not contribute to the plot. Another thing fans didn’t like were the villains. The main villain that Moana and her friends were trying to defeat was not shown until the end credits, which many did not watch. Although the second villain was shown, many viewers were underwhelmed by her scenes and songs. Viewers believed her role was not essential to Moana’s journey and the overall plot.
Along with the plot, fans have had mixed reviews about the soundtrack. Many newer fans love the movies’ songs, for they find them catchy and memorable. Some of the more popular songs in the movie include “Can I Get a Chee-Hoo?,” “Beyond,” and “Get Lost.” The song “Can I Get a Chee-Hoo?” is sung by Maui, Moana’s best friend and demigod, to empower her to continue her journey in good spirits. This song is upbeat, catchy, and combines polynesian tradition with a fun song that resonated with many viewers. “Beyond” is the main ballad sung by Moana, which explains that she is afraid of what she will find in the great beyond, but that she knows she must explore the unknown to help her people. This song was a hit to the fans of the movie, and is the one they think of when you bring up Moana 2. “Get Lost” is sung by a new character, Matangi, who encourages Moana to let loose and have some fun. Matangi is the antagonist, Nalo’s, apprentice, so in reality, this upbeat song is meant to distract Moana from meeting her goal. This song became very popular because of its memorable lyrics and great vocals.
Although there were a few popular songs in Moana 2, most fans agree that the soundtrack did not measure up to the first Moana movie soundtrack. Many people believe that “Beyond” will never compare to “How Far I’ll Go” and that “Can I Get a Chee-Hoo?” is much less catchy than “You’re Welcome.” Disappointed fans believe that the songs don’t have the “Disney hook,” which means that the songs don’t have the same basic structure as all of the other Disney songs do, which makes them less enjoyable to Disney fans. Another reason people believe the songs were less catchy than those of the first movie was because the music of Moana 2 was done by Mark Mancin instead of Lin Manuel Miranda. The amazing songs done by Lin Manuel Miranda in Moana made fans very excited to see what he would come up with for the second movie. However, they were disappointed to find out that he was not working on Moana 2 because it was pitched to him as a television show rather than a movie. Overall, Moana fans believe that the soundtrack of the first movie, by Lin Manuel Miranda, was much better than the soundtrack of Moana 2, done by Mark Mancin.
Moana 2 has people of all ages coming back to the theaters to see it on the big screen, and people have left with mixed opinions. But, the overall message of the movie that you should stick to your core values and your family while making friends along the way is demonstrated very clearly to viewers. Whether you are a die-hard Disney fan or only saw the trailer, Moana 2 is a great movie to watch with your family and friends.
