You can feel the warm ocean breeze against your cheek while watching Moana 2, so supple and visceral is the animated artistry on display. For that alone, this sequel to 2016’s Moana is worth your time. It’s also good to be back in the company of the title character (voiced and sung by Auli’i Cravalho), now leader and wayfinder of her ancient South Pacific island, as well as that of the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson), who has hardly been humbled by their previous adventures. Sadly, Jemaine Clement’s “Shiny” crab is relegated to an end-credits scene, but the bigger problem with Moana 2 is the undeniable drop in quality when it comes to the music. (Lin-Manuel Miranda is not involved in the songwriting this time around.) The drum-forward numbers work well, especially the early, excitingly propulsive “We’re Back,” but Moana’s “Beyond” is a bland ballad and Maui’s “Can I Get A Chee Hoo?” is a pale imitation of the first film’s “You’re Welcome,” with Johnson forced to squish way too many words into the rap. Meanwhile, a Donna Summer-style disco number, “Get Lost,” seems as strangely superfluous as Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), the new antagonist who sings it. She seems to exist mostly to set up a Moana 3, a prospect that feels less exciting after Moana 2.
(11/26/2024)
