The Journey Begins Again
Moana 2 starts off exactly three years after the original movie ended. Moana is now the new wayfinder of Motuni. This film has been highly anticipated by a lot of Disney fans, people who were excited to see their Polynesian roots back on the screen, or the iconic duo that is Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and Moana (Auli’i Cravalho). Tons of people must’ve been truly excited for the new movie because it became a mega-hit on Thanksgiving. In the box office it smashed about $225.2 million! From the estimate on Sunday of $221 million it wrecked numerous records. Moana 2 made the biggest five-day debut in history beating The Super Mario Bros. Movie which got $204.6 million.
What people deeply appreciated was how appropriately timed the music scenes were, they didn’t undercut any dramatic moments and they were just there to bring that Disney joy and happiness. The reviews also talked about the villain, ”often we need a big-time villain to go up our heroes but this time it was mostly an omnipotent being we don’t need to see any stereotypical monologues or story beats we’ve all seen time and time again. Instead the villain is a force of nature our heroes must contend with.” A lot of people say the new cast was enjoyable, they enjoyed getting to see more than one comedy relief character other than Maui and seeing how the new characters interacted with Moana and how they all became a new team. The viewers of the sequel loved seeing her new mission with her teammates. Another quote was, ”We really enjoyed the movie and the theme about connecting the other Polynesian cultures. It was great seeing how Moana had grown-up and we loved her little sister, she was so cute! My grand-daughter loved the movie and was dancing to the songs.” The songs in my opinion were definitely a lot better.
Tons of people loved the new animation details, even small detailed ones such as Moana’s father, the Chief, or the grumpy farmer. The tattoo’s they have are called the pe’a, which is a cultural thing they do, they wrap around their waist and cover all the way down to the knees. For thousands of years men have undergone the pain for these tattoos because it is a sacred manifestation of their dedication to Samoa and the culture. The tattoos convey lineage, demonstrate courage, and represent the men forever being of service to their family, villages, and islands. Another person said, ”while exploring an island Moana finds some pottery that suggests there are other people there. It reminds them of Lapita pottery” For those who don’t know, Lapita pottery known as “Lapita ware” is associated with people who had well-developed skills in navigation and canoe building. A lot of people who are themselves a Pacific Islander feel seen and heard when they see these small details. Disney fans always love seeing people who look like them on the screen, it’s another reason why Moana and the sequel are so popular.
One of the most powerful aspects of Moana 2 is how it taps into the themes of legacy and cultural pride. For many fans of this movie, it is more than a fun adventure or a movie you might just wanna get lost inside of, it’s a celebration of Polynesian heritage and a reminder to honor the past while looking forward to the future. As Moana steps into her role as wayfinder, she not only carries the weight of her ancestors but also pushes forward the feeling of unity and connection. It’s clear that this film’s success is way more than the numbers at the box office, it’s about the emotional moments, the stunning visuals, and the amazing soundtrack that ties it all together. I can say confidently that Moana 2 will be remembered especially since it’s been confirmed that a live-action Moana is in production and set to release in July 10, 2026. I’m excited it’s releasing in theaters on my birthday and I hope the live-action will do the animated ones justice.