Chaos and Chuckles: Moana 2 Unleashes Disney’s Oceanic Encore

Moana 2, released by Walt Disney Animation Studios on November 27, 2024, dives back into Oceania’s waters with a $150 million splash, grossing over $1.05 billion worldwide. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, it picks up three years after Moana’s (Auli‘i Cravalho) first voyage with Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Now a leader on Motunui, Moana hears a call from her wayfinding ancestors via conch shell, urging her to reconnect scattered island peoples by finding the sunken Motufetu, cursed by the storm god Nalo. Joined by Maui and a quirky crew—Loto (Rose Matafeo), Kele (David Fane), Moni (Hualālai Chung)—she sails into perilous seas, facing Nalo’s wrath and the Kakamora pirates. It’s a chaotic quest, originally a Disney+ series retooled into a theatrical sequel after CEO Bob Iger saw its potential.

The chaos unfolds in a 100-minute rush—storms rage, canoes capsize, and Moana’s sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) stows away, adding stakes. Miller’s script, co-written with Jared Bush, leans on spectacle over depth; Rotten Tomatoes (61%) calls it “stunning animation when its story runs adrift.” Chuckles surface—Maui’s “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” struts with Johnson’s charm, and Heihei (Alan Tudyk) clucks obliviously—but they’re fleeting amid the action. Critics like IGN dubbed it “formulaic,” yet its box-office haul—third-highest of 2024—proves its crowd-pleasing pull. Shot in Vancouver and premiered in Hawaii, its Polynesian roots shine, though some X posts lament a rushed pivot from series to film.

Visually, it’s a triumph—waves crash with CG wizardry, Motufetu’s glow enchants. The soundtrack, by Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa‘i, and Mark Mancina, aims high; “Beyond” (Cravalho) echoes “How Far I’ll Go,” earning award nods. Yet, Metacritic’s 58/100 reflects mixed vibes—beautiful chaos, but not the original’s soul. It’s a noisy encore, thrilling yet uneven.

The cast is Moana 2’s wind, propelling its chaotic voyage. Auli‘i Cravalho, now 24, returns with a matured Moana—her live-sung “Beyond” radiates resolve, her leadership tested by Nalo’s storms. Critics praise her “effortless gravitas” (Variety), though some X posts wish for more emotional meat. Dwayne Johnson’s Maui is the chuckle king—his “Chee Hoo” anthem, a female-empowerment riff on “You’re Welcome,” flexes his charisma, but Collider notes he’s “less integral” this time. Their reunion—Maui crashing in with a quip—sparks joy, though the focus shifts to Moana’s crew.

Rose Matafeo’s Loto, a sharp-tongued engineer, David Fane’s farmer Kele, and Hualālai Chung’s storyteller Moni bring chaotic flair, but they’re underdeveloped—The Guardian calls them “lively yet thin.” Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda’s Simea adds heart, her bond with Moana a tender thread, though sidelined by action. Returning voices—Temuera Morrison (Tui), Nicole Scherzinger (Sina), Rachel House (Tala)—offer warmth, while Alan Tudyk’s Heihei clucks for laughs. New foes like Nalo (Gerald Ramsey) and the Kakamora lack menace, per BBC’s “forgettable villains.” The ensemble’s energy is undeniable—Maui’s ad-libs, Moana’s rallying cries—but the chaos often drowns their depth, leaving a fun, if scattered, crew.

Moana 2’s visuals and sound are a chaotic tidal wave, sweeping you into Oceania. Hoyte van Hoytema’s cinematography (with CG polish) dazzles—Motunui’s lush greens, the ocean’s roiling blues, and Motufetu’s ethereal depths stun. The action—Kakamora swarming, Nalo’s lightning barrage—is relentless, shot practically where possible (Namib Desert doubled for storms) and enhanced by VFX. Forbes hails its “stunning animation,” though some X posts flag choppy CGI crowds. The chaos peaks in a canoe chase, every splash a testament to Disney’s tech leap since 2016—water and hair flow with uncanny life.

The soundtrack tries to ride the original’s wake. “Beyond” soars, earning SCL and HMMA nods, while “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?” struts with Johnson’s gusto—Rolling Stone calls it “infectious.” Barlow and Bear’s pop flair blends with Foa‘i’s Polynesian beats and Mancina’s gravitas, but AV Club sighs, “No ‘How Far I’ll Go.’” Sound design—crashing waves, Heihei’s squawks—earned an Oscar nod, per early buzz. Chuckles—like Maui’s off-key warble—dot the score, but it’s the chaos that dominates, sometimes flattening quieter beats. Flaws? The series-to-film shift leaves pacing choppy—HuffPost’s “fan fiction” jab stings. Still, it’s a sensory blast, a visual and sonic storm.

Moana 2’s strength is its chaotic ambition—a billion-dollar encore that honors Polynesian culture via Tautai Vasa’s lore and Moana’s quest. Cravalho’s growth, Johnson’s charm, and the animation’s sheen dazzle; Time praises its “colorful adventure.” The crew’s diversity—Loto’s ingenuity, Moni’s tales—adds texture, and Simea’s arc tugs heartstrings. Chuckles—like Maui’s “I’m back, baby!”—lighten the load, earning an A- CinemaScore. Its Golden Globe nod for Best Animated Feature reflects its appeal, though not its predecessor’s depth.

Weaknesses mar the voyage. The story’s thin—Motufetu’s curse feels rote, Nalo’s threat fizzles—per IGN’s “inconsequential.” Songs lack the original’s stickiness (BBC’s “underwhelming”), and the crew’s underuse frustrates—Variety notes “threads underdeveloped.” The series pivot shows; The Wrap calls it “rushed,” a sentiment echoed on X. Legacy-wise, it’s no Moana—outgrossing it ($680 million) but not outshining it. At 7.5/10, it’s a chaotic, chuckle-spiced ride—fun, flawed, and fiercely watchable. For families and fans, it’s a worthy sail; for purists, a turbulent wave.