Moana 2: Movie Review

Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rose Matafeo, Dave Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Alan Tudyk, Temuera Morrison

Director: David G Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller

In the way that The Empire Strikes Back chose to be a darker sequel than its initial lighter first outing, Moana 2 strives for more cloudy sailings for the titular wayfaring heroine.

But unfortunately, the darker edges are purely represented by the animated colour palette rather than a narrative theme.

This time around Auli'i Cravalho's Moana is on a mission in uncharted waters after saving her island from an environmental disaster. Looking for other societies, she discovers proof they're out there, and returns home to a vision that shows her the way to where she needs to go.

Gathering together a ragtag crew, Moana sets out - in a collision course with both danger and a reunion with Dwayne Johnson's demi-god Maui.

There's much in the visuals of Moana 2 that impresses.

Whereas the coral clear blues and topaz have been jettisoned in favour of darker waters, purples and stormy greys, the story, with its message of togetherness and reuniting races, feels rote and underwhelming.

Again, much like the 2016 film, there's a deep appreciation of cultural significance, traditions and myths, but this time around, it largely feels like an episodic storyline that draws from the roots of the proposed Disney+ series rather than a fuller filmic sequel.

The quest storyline is solid enough and the likes of Rose Matafeo and Dave Fane impress in their respective roles, but a lack of a strong villain and a definite sense of purpose leaves the film floundering in waters that are clearly in place for a set up for future installments than a clear sequel tale.

Equally disappointing are the songs. This time around, many feel formulaic and lacking in the strength and life of the first (although the bar was set extremely high) - with perhaps only Maui's Can I Get a Cheehoo being the one that will be lodged in the brain after the lights have gone up.

While the movie's perfectably serviceable for fans of the not-Disney princess desperate to revisit that world, it doesn't seem poised for domination in perhaps the ways the first did. Its structural issues compete with its heroine and hero's energetic and vibrant performances.

Moana 2 is not exactly lost at sea - but it does feel like it's sadly lacking a definitive course and in need of a narrative correction for future installments hinted at in its denouement and mid-credits scene.