November 27, 2024
Moana 2 (also known as Vaiana 2 or Oceania 2 in some markets) is a 2024 American animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It is the sequel to Moana (2016) and the second installment in the Moana franchise. The film was directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller (in their feature directorial debuts) and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Miller. The film stars Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, and Alan Tudyk, all reprising their roles from the first film, with Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Awhimai Fraser, and Gerald Ramsey joining the cast.
Development on a follow-up to Moana originally began as a long-form limited streaming series for Disney+, before it was reworked into a theatrical sequel by February 2024, with Derrick confirmed as both writer and director. The involvement of Hand, Miller, Chen, and Merino was confirmed in May; a month later, Bush was confirmed to be returning as a writer. Miller later replaced Derrick as a co-writer in August. Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i, the composers and co-songwriters of the first film, returned to score and write the songs, while Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear replace Lin-Manuel Miranda as additional songwriters.
Moana 2 premiered at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii on November 21, 2024, and was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States on November 27. It received mixed reviews from critics.
Storyline
Three years after the first film, Moana spends her days exploring new islands in hopes to find other people who are connected to the ocean. One day, she gets a vision from her ancestor, Tautai Vasa, that the reason why no one is connected to the ocean anymore is because the evil storm God Nalo wanted power over the mortals, so he sunk a mystical island called Motufetu down to the depths of the ocean, which connected all islands and that her island will be deserted if Moana does not find a way to revive the island. She brings a crew of people from Motunui, craftswoman Loto, Maui fanboy Moni, and grumpy elderly farmer Keke, alongside her pet pig and rooster, Pua and Heihei, to find the island.
Meanwhile, Maui is seeking Motufetu himself since he had a previous quarrel with Nalo but he is captured by Nalo's enforcer, Matangi. He is reluctant to contact Moana for help due to fearing for her life. Eventually, Moana and her crew meet the Kakamora, who soon reveal that Nalo's actions against Motufetu caused them to be disconnected from their home island. One of them helps the crew destroy a giant monster clam that takes them to Matangi's lair. While the crew find Maui, Moana meets Matangi, but learns that she is not happy serving Nalo and helps Moana escape his lair and reunite with Maui and her friends before sending them to where Nalo is.
Maui soon reveals that Nalo's realm is more deadly compared to the mortal realm and that fighting him will be suicide. After they get washed ashore on an isolated island, Moana begins to despair but Maui encourages her to keep trying as they plan on Maui raising the island and Moana touching it as that is the only way to restore Motufetu and stop Nalo. Her friends repair the damaged raft and they soon ride to face Nalo. Despite their best efforts, Nalo manages to strip Maui of his Godhood, forcing a desperate Moana to touch the island under sea, with Nalo’s storm killing her. Maui jumps in and with the help of Moana's ancestors, they revive her, with Moana gaining a wayfinder's tattoo and Maui raises Motufetu, reconnecting the ocean with the mortals.
Moana returns home and a celebration is held in her honor. In a midcredits scene, Nalo is about to punish Matangi for helping Moana with him planning revenge. They are soon visited by Tamatoa, who wants to join their cause to get revenge on Moana for her actions against him in the first film.
Also See
- Moana 2 (2024) (Trailers)
- Moana 2 (2024) (TV Spots)
- Moana (2016)
- Gone Fishing (2017) (Shorts)
Sound Effects Used
- Apple Loops, Andrewhelm Scream (Used for the Blobfish.)
- Hollywoodedge, Lightning 08 CloseG SIG012601
- Hollywoodedge, Two Single Knuckle Cr PE108101
- MGM Roar/SoundDogs, Animals - Lion - C U - Roar (Used for Maui as a shark.)
- SKYWALKER ELECTRICITY INCREASING SOUND
- SKYWALKER, ELECTRICITY - LIGHTNING BOLT POWER 03
- SKYWALKER, ELECTRICITY - SPIELBERG "HEAT RAY" ZAP
- Sound Ideas, BELL, FIGHT - BOXING RING FIGHT BELL: SINGLE RING, SPORTS (Heard once during the song "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?".)
- Sound Ideas, BIRD, SILKY CHICKEN - RAPID CALLS, ANIMAL (Used for Heihei.)
- Sound Ideas, CARTOON, CHICKEN - LOUD SINGLE SQUAWK (Used for Heihei.)
- Sound Ideas, SQUISH, CARTOON - LITTLE SQUISH